Against the backdrop of increasingly networked and automated production, there is a growing need for graduates who can independently design, build and commission modern automation solutions. The TU Leoben is addressing this need with a practice-oriented curriculum, which is being specifically strengthened through the new collaboration with Siemens Austria.
Support from Siemens Austria
The focus is on the ‘Automation Technology’ module, with its associated laboratory exercises at the Chair of Automation and Measurement Technology. Here, students acquire the relevant skills in automation technology and digitalisation for the industrial environment, which can also be applied in practice. Siemens Austria supports this training by providing, free of charge, top-quality automation solutions in the form of SIMATIC S7-1500 series programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with the associated software packages in the TIA Portal, which enable end-to-end project planning – from control programming and visualisation through to implementation and testing in the application. The equipment is used directly as an integral part of the automation technology courses, thereby creating a direct link to practical application. The provision of Siemens technology is a further building block in an existing strategic partnership between Siemens and the TU Leoben.
“Promoting digitalisation skills is essential for Siemens, as they are key to keeping pace with rapid technological change. Through this partnership, we are investing in the future of Austria as an industrial hub and enabling students to learn through practical experience – adding value to the training of our skilled workforce.”
Herbert Tanner, Head of Siemens Graz and Klagenfurt
Practical learning
In small, supervised groups, students plan, implement and test complete automation systems. Key concepts and methods are not merely taught in theory, but are developed, tested and consolidated on real-world systems. This enables students to work with control and engineering technologies that they will later encounter in industry, thereby maximising the transferability of the skills they have learnt to professional practice. “By using state-of-the-art industrial automation solutions in lectures and laboratory exercises, we are bridging the gap between university education and industrial practice in the future-oriented field of automation and digitalisation,” emphasises Prof. Thurner from the Chair of Automation and Measurement Technology. For Siemens Austria, the partnership also contributes to securing a supply of qualified young talent and strengthening Austria as an industrial hub.
About the Chair of Automation and Measurement Technology
The Chair at the TU Leoben focuses its research and teaching on methods and systems in automation and robotics, as well as on sensor systems and measurement technology. It trains students for challenging roles in an increasingly digitalised industry.
Further information
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Thurner
Chair of Automation and Measurement
Phone: +433842 402 5300
Email: thomas.thurner(at)unileoben.ac.at
