Share this article on...
Contact Us
- Report errors or inaccuracies topmba@qsnetwork.com
- Contribute articles contribute@qsnetwork.com
- Advertise advertise@qsnetwork.com
An unforgettable experience in my life
GIST offers Master’s programmes in cooperation with high tech companies. This way highly qualified personnel can be trained to serve the needs of companies operating globally. Partners are involved in the development of the curricula and participate actively in the programmes by deploying lecturers and mentors. Industry sponsors for the Industrial Chemistry programme include Altana, BASF, Bayer, Celanese, Degussa, Merck, Süd-Chemie and Wacker.
Numerous partners from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries have already contributed to the project by offering internships and grants to students. Industry partners also extended awards for the first batch of graduates, including Best Academic Performance Award sponsored by Merck, Best Master Thesis Award (which was awarded to 2 equally deserving graduates) sponsored by Degussa, and Best in Cross Discipline Subjects Award sponsored by Wacker.
CEO Professor Wolfgang Hiller himself sponsored a further award for the Most Promising Entrepreneur.
As participants and teaching staff come from all over Asia and/or Europe, opportunities for international networking and intercultural exchange are part of the learning process at GIST. GIST students also have the chance to opt for a basic German language class within the broad-based curriculum, which also include courses in business management.
GIST prepares its students for their stay in Germany with some on-campus activities. According to one student: ‘We all have fun learning German on Saturdays. After only a few lessons, we can already say ‘Vielen Dank’, ‘Wie heisst du?’, count in German, we can name and properly pronounce some cities in Germany and a lot more.’
There is also a monthly ‘Round Table’ for GIST students led by the CEO. This gives an opportunity to address all students and to discuss topics of common interes, such as actual student affairs, internship and their stay in Germany, German educational, industrial and political structure, career opportunities, entrepreneurship or PhD study programmes.
For Asian students, their time spent in Germany is highly formative. Ronny Sondjaja from Indonesia is one of GIST’s first ever alumni and wrote an entertaining and illuminating report from his placement in Wacker-Chemie GmbH, Burghausen. Here is an excerpt:
“I am one of the GIST students that at the moment is doing thesis project. I'm working with cyclodextrin which is very very exciting and very challenging. It's very nice working here, great ambience and good working condition too. But aside from that, there are a lot of other interesting facts that I've got during my first 4 months in Europe. I don't know why but suddenly I just got at least 6 years younger when I arrived in here. It sounds crazy, but I always have to show my ID when I want to buy cigarettes. It turns out that people always think that I'm under 18! It's great, really ... unbelievable too! I'm very amazed with the public transportation system in Germany, i.e. the train.What can I say ... I'm actually stuck here in Burghausen, a very small town (or village?) in the middle of nowhere, but during my first 4 months I have already visited lots of cities in Germany and 5 other foreign countries in Europe. Thanks to the transportation system! And it would not be a great day in Bayern if you don't have some beer and sausages in your refrigerator. Living in Germany, especially in Burghausen, for me is really a challenge. But it's fun on the other side, and it would be an unforgettable experience in my life.”
GIST believes that technological development will always be highly competitive and that its graduates can be ahead ot the game. It identifies the key benefits to be gained as: combining scientific and engineering excellence with business know-how, the chance to win responsible positions in futureoriented industries in Europe and Asia, acquiring the basis to continue with a PhD programme, being in a good position to start your own business, and learning how to think globally and multiculturally.
