The project

OptLA - Option study of the technical teaching profession is a project for the realization of a new study path with the professional goal of becoming a teacher at vocational schools. In cooperation with the TU Dresden, engineering education courses leading to a bachelor's degree are being implemented at Saxon universities of applied sciences, enabling graduates to simplify their entry into teacher training at the TU Dresden. Both the structure and implementation of the bachelor's degree program and the organization of the transition to the teacher training program are the tasks of the project.

The Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (HSMW), the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG), the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau (WHZ) and the Dresden University of Technology (TUD) are involved in the project.

The technical focus of the study programs is in the industrial-technical field. As a first specialization, there is a choice of metal and mechanical engineering as well as electrical engineering and information technology (only at the WHZ). As a second specialization or subject, depending on the university, students can choose from the following offerings: Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Automotive Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Metal and Mechanical Engineering, or Textile Technology and Clothing. Please refer to the websites of the study programs for the possible combinations.

OptLA is particularly interesting for people with industrial-technical training or work experience who want to gain engineering and educational qualifications close to home. Building on this, they can aim to enter the civil service as teachers at vocational schools.

This measure is financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget passed by the Saxon state parliament.