The first Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) at Hochschule Offenburg, titled Industrial Robotics in Practice, focused on fostering cross-border collaboration through interdisciplinary training in robotics. Representatives of the universities that make up the ChallengeEU alliance took part in it.
On the first day, the 16 participants from South East European University, ECAM LaSalle and FHNW – three partner universities in the European University Alliance ChallengeEU – were welcomed by Prof. Dr Tobias Hagen, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation. Afterwards, Dr Alexander Burdumy and Klara Wehrlein from the International Office gave the guests a brief introduction to the region and Hochschule Offenburg. The programme also included a tour of the laboratories and a safety briefing at the Work-Life Robotics Institute (WLRI).
© Hochschule Offenburg, Joerdis Damrath
Over the following days, the BIP participants worked together with WLRI staff at the intersection of CAD, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and industrial robotics. They designed components digitally, optimised them for production, and programmed real industrial robots. At the end of the week, the students from North Macedonia, France and Switzerland presented their results during a final session and also visited Hansgrohe. By combining theoretical content, practical application and international teamwork, the Erasmus+ funded BIP offered a unique opportunity to develop skills in industrial robotics while also gaining intercultural experience. For more than half of the students, it was their first stay at a higher education institution abroad. There was also plenty of room for fun: the social programme included a city rally, a pub crawl with Offenburg student ambassadors of the European University Alliance ChallengeEU, a brewery tour with beer tasting, and shared meals. In addition, the guests were able to take part in the World Café and the Easter baking event organised by the International Office for international students at Hochschule Offenburg.
© Hochschule Offenburg, Alexander Weigand
Alongside the 16 BIP participants, Prof. Florije Ismaili, Vice-Rector for Academic Planning and Digitalisation, and Prof. Xhemal Zenuni, Dean of the Faculty of Contemporary Sciences and Technologies from South East European University, as well as Prof. Guillaume Gibert, Professor of Robotics at ECAM LaSalle, also travelled to Offenburg. In addition to visiting the WLRI, they used their stay to establish contacts at Hochschule Offenburg and discuss possible further cooperation within the framework of the European University Alliance ChallengeEU.
