(Interview from 2017)

Thomas Scheufler

Rolf Kelm wants more young graduates to join the network.

First name: Rolf J.
Surname: Kelm
Graduating year: 1966
Degree program: Mechanical engineering, specializing in precision mechanics & control engineering

Kontakt-online talked with him about living Down Under, being overseas – and a whole lot more

What did you study? Why did you decide to study at TU Dresden?
I studied mechanical engineering at TU Dresden from 1961 to 1966, specializing in precision mechanics & control engineering. I chose TU Dresden because it was the best university of technology in the GDR at that time. And I can say today that it was the right decision.

Would you tell us an anecdote from your student days? What are your happiest memories? Where did you like to go in Dresden? What was your favorite place at university?
I moved to Dresden from Berlin and found it fascinating as a cultural and baroque city, despite the destruction. As a student, I often wandered around downtown. I remember in particular the ruins of the Frauenkirche church and the ruined castle with broken mirrors that you could still see hanging on the walls as you walked by. When I visited Dresden again 30 years later in 2011, I was very moved by the successful reconstruction of the Old Town. My favorite place at university was the Zeuner-Bau building and Großer Hörsaal lecture hall, and the "Lichtenheldt crank gears" display, which was completed shortly before I graduated in 1966 and is still running today.

What are your links to TU Dresden today? How do you use your TUD ties in your professional and personal network?
My age and the distance between Sydney and Dresden means I only have occasional contact with my alma mater. These ties do not benefit me professionally.

Have you had the opportunity to promote TUD within your networks?
Very little opportunity so far.

© personal

What else have you done along these lines?
I get inquiries from time to time from people who want to vacation here or who are looking for employment. However, those two cases have little do with TU Dresden. Other people are looking to arrange a year of work experience after their degree in Dresden, but don't know where to ask. I usually refer them to australien-ausbildung.de as a good starting point.

There is, however, almost no interest on the part of Australian students or graduates in further study at TU Dresden. This is due in part to the global ranking of German universities. Another factor is that many students prefer to go to English-speaking countries such as the US or UK; that boils down to age-old ties.
 

Contact:
Rolf Kelm

Email