For Lusatia: Deutsche Bahn and BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg intensify their cooperation for Cottbus as a rail and education site

Science and business are moving even closer together in Lusatia: Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg have today signed a framework cooperation agreement on intensive collaboration for a strong rail and education location in Cottbus. The partners want to network even more closely and work together in the areas of study, teaching and research at the BTU as well as on the topics of employment prospects and career preparation for students.

The BTU hopes to attract additional students through the increased cooperation, in particular in the so-called STEM subjects (Mathematics, Engineering, Natural Sciences and Technology). DB will show students career prospects in the rail industry and at the new ICE plant in Cottbus and offer them entry-level opportunities – also in the interests of a strong rail sector in Germany. In addition to students and graduates, the target groups also include those who have just left university.

"The partners are aware of their responsibility for the Lusatia region and are keen to positively support structural change in the region," states the cooperation agreement signed today by BTU President Prof. Gesine Grande, DB Board Member for Human Resources Martin Seiler and Ramona Grün, Managing Director of Human Resources at DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung in the presence of Brandenburg's Minister President Dr. Dietmar Woidke. The aim is to promote social and economic development for the region and create professional and scientific prospects.

Brandenburg's Minister President Dr. Dietmar Woidke: "Cottbus and Lusatia are now a region of the future and are showing the way for sustainable and climate-friendly economic activity. The foundations for this have been laid jointly by federal and state politicians, companies, scientific and cultural institutions and the local population. The cooperation sealed today between DB and BTU is an important milestone and driver for this transformation process. The cooperation between these two outstanding players in Lusatia's structural development will open up new professional and scientific perspectives. Brandenburg is no longer just a workbench, but also a location for innovation. We urgently need skilled workers and bright minds from the region and from all over the world to make the transformation a success."

Cooperation along the student life cycle

BTU President Prof. Gesine Grande explains: "I am delighted that we are able to take an important step towards further intensifying our cooperation with DB by signing the framework agreement today. The cooperation offers so many opportunities: for the future prospects of young people in Lusatia, for strengthening the research and teaching profile of BTU, for personnel development and the attractiveness of DB. I am convinced of this."

Prof. Peer Schmidt, Vice-President for Academic Affairs at BTU, adds: "We have created a really far-reaching framework here, because the new agreement includes not only cooperation in research and transfer, but above all concrete measures along the entire student life cycle: for example, the content and capacities in the co-op program will be jointly expanded, internships will be offered and the integration of international students will be funded. The focus will also be on subject-related excursions and seminars as opportunities to specialize in corresponding study programmes."

DB Board Member for Human Resources Martin Seiler: "The cooperation agreed today between BTU and Deutsche Bahn and the new ICE plant in Cottbus are important beacons for Lusatia. We are strengthening the local labour market: The new plant will create 1,200 attractive jobs and apprenticeships for people in the region and interested parties from all over Germany. Excellent training and further education opportunities are an important location factor in the competition for the best skilled labour. The great and constructive cooperation between DB and BTU makes the region even more attractive, both nationally and for the people here in Lusatia."

More practical relevance in studies

Students on the dual study programmes in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering already combine their academic training at BTU with practical work experience at DB. DB is a local employer and also offers vacant positions via the university and its campus-X-change recruitment fair.

In future, students will increasingly be introduced to the professional world of the rail industry through excursions and guest lectures, internships, working student activities and final theses. The partners also want to explore opportunities for DB days for prospective students or job shadowing - i.e. accompanying DB colleagues. DB and BTU also want to get involved in integrating students from abroad into the local job market.

Together with the Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK) and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), DB also wants to offer career prospects in the regional skilled trades or at DB to students leaving university and show them alternative qualification paths.

In order to further strengthen the practical relevance of studies or study programs (such as Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering) at BTU, DB plans to increasingly award student research projects and doctoral theses to suitable candidates from BTU. There are also plans for DB employees to take on teaching positions at BTU where possible in order to further strengthen networking at Cottbus as a rail and education location.