Research projects
Table of contents
OptLA
“Option: Study Program in Technical Teacher Training – Vocational Schools”
(since 2019)
The project focuses on developing a new cooperative bachelor’s degree program in “Engineering Education” in the departments of metal and mechanical engineering as well as electrical engineering and information technology for students at Saxon universities of applied sciences (West Saxon University of Applied Sciences in Zwickau, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences). The bachelor’s degree opens the door to completing teacher training at TU Dresden. The project is funded by the Saxon Ministry of Science and the Arts.
Link to the project
Subject-Specific Partnership in Koudougou
“Establishment of a Master’s program in Techniques and Vocational Training (Master en Techniques et Formations Professionnelles; MTFP) at the University of Koudougou”
(2017–2020)
The project aims to design and introduce a master’s program in Vocational Education and Business Education and Management Training (Master en Techniques et Formations Professionnelles; MTFP) at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) of Norbert Zongo University (UNZ) (formerly the University of Koudougou (UK; until 2018)) in Burkina Faso, beginning in the 2017–18 winter semester, taking into account international standards, research in pedagogy and subject-specific didactics, as well as intercultural and context-specific expertise. It is funded by the DAAD.
Link to the project
ISEBS
“Integration of Academic Elements into Vocational Education in Saxony”
(2017–2020)
The goal of the ISEBS project was to bring together vocational and academic education. Students from several vocational schools in Saxony were able to take courses at the TUD Dresden University of Technology as part of an “early academic program” in addition to their vocational training. The project was funded by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
Link to the project
POKROK.DIGITAL
“Practice-Oriented Competency Development in Production Engineering in the Regions through Cooperation.digital”
(2017 – 2019)
Together with partners including the Technical University of Liberec, “J. E. Purkyně” University in Liberec, the SPŠSE a VOŠ Liberec vocational school, and the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, cross-border, pedagogically grounded concepts for learning in the field of manufacturing process planning and control were developed. A digital learning platform for vocational and technical education at German and Czech vocational schools and universities was developed. The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and the Sächsische Aufbaubank.
Link to the project
Fact-Finding Mission
(2015)
The goal was to prepare a project proposal: International Center of Excellence for Vocational Education and Training. The project was designed in cooperation with Norbert Zongo University and the Ministry of National Education and Literacy (MENA) in Burkina Faso, as well as Europa University Flensburg and the Association of Burkinabè and Friends in Saxony and Germany (ABASA e.V.).
Link to the project
Subject-Specific Partnership in Burkina Faso
"Subject-Specific Partnership in Burkina Faso between TUD Dresden University of Technology and the University of Koudougou, Burkina Faso"
(2015)
Exploration of teacher training—particularly for the vocational education sector—at the University of Koudougou. In addition to experts from the University of Koudougou, non-university partners and government agencies were asked to collaborate as part of the fact-finding mission. The project involved the planning and eventual submission of a joint project proposal for a subject-specific partnership. The project was funded by the DAAD and supported by the Association for the Promotion of Education in the Sahel ( ) and the Association des Burkinabè et Amis en Saxe et en Allemagne (ABASA e.V.).
Link to the project
SERENA Serious Game
Renewable Energy for Technical Vocational Training for Girls
(2015–2017)
In the SERENA project, a gender-sensitive serious game (SG) designed for girls was developed and evaluated in collaboration with Wissenschaftsladen Bonn (lead partner), the game development company The Good Evil, and the Chair of Psychology of Learning and Instruction at TU Dresden. The SG allows players to engage in a playful way with the typical requirements of technical vocational training programs in the renewable energy sector. The project was funded by the BMBF.
JEFOSP International Education Conference
(since 2013)
Organization of the annual education conference “Journées internationales d’Echanges sur l’Education, la Formation, l’Orientation/ Insertion Scolaire et Professionnelle (JEFOSP)” since 2013. The international and multidisciplinary exchange in Burkina Faso covers topics such as lesson planning, vocational training, continuing vocational education, higher education, school education, and career counseling.
The goal is to further improve the quality of educational programs and counseling services. The project was and continues to be co-initiated and supported by the Association des Burkinabè et Amis en Saxe et en Allemagne (ABASA e.V.) and by other partners from Burkina Faso and Germany.
PROVI-LK
“Process Chain Virtualization in the Planning for the Development of a Comprehensive Teaching and Learning Concept”
(2013–2014)
In collaboration with partners from the Chair of Mechanical Engineering at TU Dresden and TU Bergakademie Freiberg, a concept for “complex learning and work tasks” related to machining processes was developed to accompany the students’ studies. The goal was to ensure the integration of fundamental manufacturing principles with process planning and execution. The project was funded by the Center for University Didactics of the Free State of Saxony (HDZ) and the BMBF.
Link to the project
Curriculum Development in Senegal
Curriculum Development in the Field of Renewable Energy (Photovoltaics) in Senegal
(2012–2014)
As part of the project, trainers were educated for the “Solar Technician” vocational training program, and a curriculum was developed that also enables graduates to pursue self-employment. The project was funded by GIZ and PERACOD (“Program for the Promotion of Renewable Energy, Rural Electrification, and the Sustainable Supply of Household Fuels”).
Link to the project
KAtLA
“Cooperative Training in Technical Teacher Education”
(2010–2015)
Development and testing of an interdisciplinary degree program that enables enrolled students to earn not only a state teaching certification but also a vocational qualification in a technical department. The project was carried out in collaboration with the BFR Department of Civil Engineering and four inter-company training institutions in Dresden. It was funded by the European Social Fund of the European Union. KAtLA continues as a permanently established degree option called TechLA+.
Job Starter Project
Renewable Energies—New Training Fields for the Future
(2009–2012)
With support from the Continuing Education and Qualification Society (WEQUA), curricula for initial vocational training in the fields of wind energy, solar thermal energy, and photovoltaics were revised. In particular, content focusing on renewable energy was integrated or made available as potential additional qualifications. The project was funded by the BMBF.
Link to the project
Technician Study
“Analysis and Description of Occupational Profiles as a Basis for the Development of Learning-Field-Based Curricula for the Training of State-Certified Technicians in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology”
(2008–2009)
The goal was to update the training framework for technician training in the Free State of Saxony—made possible by examining recent technical developments and their impact on the work of technicians in mechanical engineering. Data for the update was collected through surveys. The project was funded by the Free State of Saxony.
Link to the project