Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt receives funding for integration programme for refugee academics

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) receives around 175,000 euros from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for the "THIntegriert" programme, a programme to promote the integration of refugee academics into the German labour market. THI is thus building on the experience of the Integration Campus, which ends in July 2020. Like the Integration Campus, the new programme is organised by the Institute for Executive Education (IAW) at the THI. Participants will start in October 2020 and end in March 2022. Applications for participation in the programme are possible with immediate effect.

"THIntegriert" is a three-phase university certificate that covers both the teaching of digital specialist skills as well as language and interdisciplinary modules. The aim is to prepare academics for the regional labour market. Phase one of the programme, which lasts from October to March 2021, includes an intensive language course to acquire the German level C1 as well as an IT workshop and advice for participants on individual competence analysis. Phase two (March to September 2021) comprises a challenging theory semester with five modules dealing with digitisation. Here the participants learn the basics of digital business, software development, internet technologies and agile methods, among other things. Soft skills such as rhetoric, presentation or intercultural training are also taught. Finally, phase three (October to March 2022) includes an internship in the digital field at a regional partner company, accompanied by a career-oriented mentoring programme by "godparents" from industry and business. As an alternative to direct entry into a profession, the programme also prepares students for a bachelor's degree through the possibility of crediting courses.

The university certificate is designed for a group size of 30 people and is aimed at refugees with a completed technical, scientific or economic degree (e.g. in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automotive engineering, business administration) or a comparable qualification. Further requirements are proof of German language skills at B1 level and participation in a selection interview.

The Institute for Executive Education bundles all continuing education activities of the THI. The Institute offers part-time Bachelor's, Master's and MBA programmes as well as university certificates, including "THIntegriert", and corporate programmes in the fields of automotive, technology, economics, IT and health management.

Further information about "THintegriert": Project management Verena Sennefelder, verena.sennefelder@thi.de