The Digital Transformation Needs Education
Empowering students for the future with the Siemens & RWTH Aachen University Partnership
RWTH Aachen University is a leading university in research and education and the largest university in Germany. More than 1400 RWTH Aachen students are trained with Siemens’ NX software every year, and the integrated Siemens Xcelerator Product Suite is used by competition teams. Students are able to receive training from Siemens in advanced engineering topics such as Additive Manufacturing, CAD-CAM-CNC processes, Simulation, and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
Despite the incomplete implementation of Industry 4.0, discussions about Industry 5.0 have already emerged in Europe, introducing a new paradigm that places a strong emphasis on the human side of digitalization and AI. This approach includes upskilling and retraining the European workforce to become digitally-savvy, promoting a more sustainable and circular economy, and accelerating investment in research and innovation. By prioritizing people, Industry 5.0 aims to lead Europe’s digital and green societal transitions, thus driving prosperity.
Recent developments in AI, autonomous machines, smart robotics, and data science have contributed to a more inclusive and digital society, with e-learning, e-working, and data analytics becoming increasingly prevalent. These emerging technologies require a convergence of engineering education and practice to ensure a sustainable and intuitive future. Siemens is committed to empowering students, professors, and leading engineering universities like RWTH Aachen to create a more sustainable, innovative, and human-centric yet digitally advanced future. With the support of Siemens, RWTH Aachen is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the future and prepare the next generation of engineers for success
From Design to MBSE: Digitalization is changing the mindset in engineering
In this video, you will hear from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Georg Jacobs, Head of the Chair and Institute for Engineering Design at RWTH Aachen University (IKT). He explains how digitalization is changing the mindset in engineering, including a shift from design to Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
RWTH Aachen is preparing the next generation of digital talent with a strong focus on MBSE, by breaking up the traditional siloed education and replacing it with MBSE. This new process includes mechanical, electrical and software engineering. Over 1400 Students are educated in NX at RWTH Aachen. They are being prepared for the challenges of the future, including greater involvement of software in product development.
The world becomes a lab: Collective data as an ecosystem driver for Industry 4.0
In this video, you will hear from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Brecher, Head of the Chair for Machine Tools. Prof. Brecher is a member of the Board of Directors of the Machine Tool Laboratory WZL, as well as the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT).
At RWTH Aachen, students learn how they can answer questions that cannot be answered today by analyzing data, through software such as Insights Hub. This involves changing topics, including the implementation of data analysis and programming artificial intelligence in education. Modern equipment and modern technology support the education of the next digital talent at RWTH Aachen, where students are learning how to analyze large amounts of free, digitized data.
Working in new digital ecosystems: University and industry cooperation through innovation ecosystems
In this video, you will hear from Prof. Dr. Frank Piller, Co-Director of the Institute for Technology & Innovation Management. He discussed how the digital transformation will change business models of companies and their relations to customers.
Students at RWTH Aachen can become involved in partnerships with corporations, including Siemens, to use digitalization tools to improve society as a whole. At RWTH Aachen, students are being prepared to contribute to a larger, more comprehensive ecosystem to understand the bigger impact technology has and will continue to have on our society and planet.
To learn more about the partnership between Siemens and RWTH Aachen, read about the Siemens Research and Innovation Ecosystem Aachen Arc. Learn more about how Siemens partners with universities and educators with the Academic and Startups blog and the Innovation in the Classroom podcast. Finally, check out the Siemens Academic Program to learn more about how Siemens empowers engineering education at RWTH Aachen and other universities around the world.
