International Perspectives at the ILK: a Report by a Student Intern

At the ILK, we foster exchange between international students and industry in a way that not only imparts knowledge, but also builds bridges for future careers. Through student exchanges, we enable talented young people to contribute their expertise, network and learn from renowned scientists, engineers and technicians. A remarkable example of this approach is Gloria Chepngeno's internship. She is studying mechatronics at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology JKUAT) in Nairobi, Kenya, and completed a three-month internship at the LEIV, the National Lightweight Engineering Validation Center on the Universelle Werke Campus. During her time at the ILK, she not only learned a lot about herself professionally, but also personally.

© ILK / Florian Lehmann

Ms. Chepngeno obtained her internship through an application to IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), an international, non-political and independent organization that arranges internships in over 85 countries worldwide. The internship gave Ms. Chepngeno the opportunity to explore industrial robotics, a field in which she previously had limited knowledge. By programming robots such as the UR10e industrial robot for collaborative processes and the KUKA industrial robot, she was able to gain hands-on experience at the LEIV premises and deepen her understanding of the application of these technologies in industry.

"I really enjoyed my time at the ILK," says the student. "The LEIV facility fostered an environment that not only allowed me to build on my existing skills in electronics, programming and CAD but also to explore new areas like industrial robotics." She also emphasizes the opportunity to connect with experts at events such as the annual Dresden International Lightweight Engineering Symposium. This opportunity is designed to help students and interns make valuable contacts and open up career prospects that will continue to benefit them after their internship.

Valuable insights for the future

Ms. Chepngeno emphasizes that the internship has enabled her to make significant progress both professionally and personally: "I have grown both professionally and personally during my ILK internship. Professionally, I have gained new skills in robotics, built on my existing mechatronic engineering skills and deepened my understanding of the lightweight engineering industry," she explains. Personally, she learned how important it is to be open to new challenges and to pursue a broad- and research-based learning approach. The experience at the ILK not only boosted her self-confidence, but also helped her build a strong professional network. She particularly appreciated the collaborative atmosphere at the ILK, where the team was always willing to share knowledge. Looking back, she wishes she had gotten involved in various projects even earlier – even those that were not her main areas of expertise. This openness would have enriched her experience even further and allowed her to gain deeper insights into different disciplines. The student therefore advises all interns and students to always be actively involved in the discussions and conversations of the ILK team: "You (the students) will learn a lot from your colleagues, and they’ll appreciate your eagerness to contribute." Learning German, especially common phrases and key vocabulary, also helped her a lot during her time at the LEIV. "Every little bit helps and can make you feel more comfortable in casual settings and in your new environment."

© ILK / Florian Lehmann

But Ms. Chepngeno was not the only one to gain valuable experience during her time at the ILK, the Institute also benefited from her contribution. The exchange with the international students enables the integration of new perspectives into research and leads to an expansion of the ILK's expertise. Networking at an international level and supplementing our own skills with the expertise of international partners is an essential aspect of the Institute's scientific progress.
Lively exchange is therefore a central pillar on which science thrives. Collaboration and the sharing of complementary expertise give rise to innovations that advance research. Open collaboration and the willingness to learn from each other are at the heart of success in science and reflect our ambition to break new ground together and develop sustainable solutions.

We wish Ms. Chepngeno all the best and every success in her future endeavors. We look forward to following her further successes!

Contact and support for international students 

Are you an international student or intern and have questions or need support? Contact our International Office.

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Find out more about the ILK's international activities ILK International