New teaching laboratory strengthens engineering training in Siegen
Open, high ceilings with visible cable routes and ventilation pipes, generous window fronts as well as bright surfaces and glass walls between the individual work areas characterize the appearance. The electrical engineering teaching laboratory for networked automation systems in the Hölderlinge building at the University of Siegen has been completely renovated over the past year and a half: It now boasts modern industrial charm combined with a functional working environment. Around 3 million euros of state funding from the "Study and Teaching" future contract was used to renovate the structural infrastructure. The technical equipment was also brought up to date. More than 200 guests from academia and industry were able to gain an impression of the new premises at the opening ceremony.
University Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese was impressed: "This has really become a great place that will play a key role in qualifying our future engineers in the future. A real gain for our university and the entire region." Prof. Reese thanked everyone involved from science and administration for their commitment during the renovation - especially the initiator of the project, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Oliver Wallscheid from the Chair of Interconnected Automation Systems (IAS). "It's great what has been created here."
Practical training for future specialists
In his opening speech, Prof. Wallscheid emphasized the central role of electrical engineering for future fields such as energy supply, mobility, industry and digitalization. "This makes it all the more important to train specialists not only scientifically, but also practically. By working with real technical systems, students develop a practical understanding of problems and solutions in addition to their theoretical knowledge."
The new teaching laboratory offers state-of-the-art test benches and workstations in key areas such as electrical energy conversion, automation technology and mechatronic systems. From the coming summer semester, students on various engineering courses will use the laboratory for practicals as well as project work and final theses. In addition to the technical infrastructure, an integrated "New Work Area" awaits them in the lab - an open learning and meeting space that can be used for exchange, collaboration and independent project work.
A special feature of the new teaching lab is also its consistent mobility and flexibility concept, explained Prof. Wallscheid at the opening. All workstations are mobile and can be positioned flexibly with the help of pallet trucks. The completely new power and IT supply system in the laboratory makes it possible to operate test benches and workstations at different locations. The laboratory can thus be dynamically adapted to different projects or teaching formats.
Core refurbishment after 50 years "no mean feat"
The new teaching laboratory builds on a long tradition of engineering education in Siegen. Its roots go back to the 1960s, when the engineering school was still located on the Fischbacherberg. Around ten years later, the laboratory on the Hölderlin campus was occupied for the first time, recalled Prof. Wallscheid. A core refurbishment after around 50 years of use was no mean feat: "Our team moved tons and tons of material to dismantle the old laboratory. Then we had to bring in and install one truckload after another of new laboratory equipment."
In addition to technical insights, guests were also treated to an artistic program at the opening. Under the direction of art professor Dr. Johanna Schwarz, students from the Siegen Art Department explored electrotechnical themes. Under the title "Interconnected", drawings and installations were presented that dealt with topics such as programming, laboratory technology, circuit boards and circuit diagrams.
