Chemnitz_zieht_an_Magazin_2024_englisch

“We bridge the gap between science
and industry, so we serve as a research
partner for SMEs. This means that our
scientific staff use their expertise to
develop application-orientated and industry-oriented
solutions for small and
medium-sized enterprises.” So Bianka
Albrecht introduces the Institut Chemnitzer
Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e. V.,
or ICM for short. The non-profit research
organisation focuses on regional project
partners; international projects are only
worked on selectively. The approximately
80 employees are primarily active
in Central Germany, meaning that their
expertise benefits both the economy
and the university landscape in Saxony
and Thuringia.
However, the ICM does not “only” work
on innovative solutions in mechanical
engineering. It also builds bridges
between people, their home countries
and their values, including an intercultural
working atmosphere. The language
barrier, however, poses daily challenges.
As a result of various aspects, there
is a mix of nationalities in the teams.
This situation is not so easy to master.
Communication with partners is primarily
in German. Project and funding
applications must necessarily be written
in German and formulated in a generally
understandable, scientific way. Even
for native speakers, this is a complex
task. Writing specialised articles, interim
and final reports is often difficult even
for German students, let alone those
working in German as a foreign language.
The institution relies on the students;
they bring fresh ideas to the teams.
Everyone benefits from their thoughts
and innovative approaches.
On the other hand, Chemnitz offers
certain study conditions that attract
young people from all over the world. A
bachelor’s degree without basic German
language skills? Not an issue. English is
the language of study, even at Chemnitz
University of Technology. What is an
advantage for students – from China or
India, for example – proves to be rather
difficult in terms of recruitment, staff
retention and their roots here in the region.
After all, anyone who dares to take
the step of moving to another country
to study is flexible in their choice of job
and place of residence. So it’s a complex
matter.
This makes Álvaro Oteros Pérez’s career
all the more interesting. The 29-year-old
comes from north-east Spain
– Catalonia, to be precise. He grew up in
the small town of Olot, which is surrounded
by (inactive) volcanoes. An idyllic
corner of the world, but unfortunately
with few future prospects for young
people. In order to create prospects, the
European Union is counteracting this
with support programmes, for example.
Integration through exchange is one
such instrument. Oteros Pérez came to
the ICM via a company internship abroad.
After eight weeks, he knew he wanted
to stay in Germany. Today, he is part
of the Information and Communication
Technology team and programs web
and database applications. His expertise
is put to use in the MINTsportRegion
project, which aims to get children and
teenagers interested in maths, IT, science
and technology outside of school.
The app for one of ICM’s latest in-house
developments – the Innvelo scooter,
an electric cargo scooter – also bears
his signature. When asked whether he
has arrived, he replies: “I wanted to
experience working in another country
and learn something new. So I took this
opportunity. I stayed at the ICM because
the team spirit is good. The work
content is exciting. We have breakfast
together every day; no one eats alone
at lunchtime either. Sometimes we have
cake and occasionally play skat. And
Chemnitz is the right size for me, not too
big and not too small. Everything is well
connected and accessible.”
Álvaro is an example of successful integration
and a valuable employee at the
ICM. Intercultural work can succeed. We
would like to see more people follow in
his footsteps.
WEITERE INFOS:
ICM - Institut Chemnitzer Maschinen-
und Anlagenbau e.V.
chemnitz.jobs/icm
Our international specialists
come from:
Germany, Iran, India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Spain, Russia
Applications in German and English to:
personal@icm-chemnitz.de
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