Group of graduates visits the university - memories and new impressions
In mid-May, Furtwangen University welcomed a very special group of visitors to its Furtwangen campus − 60 years ago, the graduates of the former Faculty of Precision Engineering and Automatic Manufacturing gained their engineering degrees at HFU! The group of visitors, consisting of six alumni and their family members, were welcomed warmly by Dr. András Kovács who, together with Dr. Julien Petit, gave them an insight into the university today.
Prof. Ulrich Mescheder also addressed the graduates via video message. His message focused on three special numbers: 175, 60, and 40. 175 years ago, in 1850, the first state clockmaking school was founded in Furtwangen by engineer Robert Gerwig. This school developed into Furtwangen University. The number 60 has a special meaning: in 1965, the guests received their diplomas. Mescheder also pointed out that the HFU technology laboratory was founded 40 years ago. The guests listened to the message with great interest and then engaged in lively discussions about that time and the university.
Even then, Furtwangen University enjoyed an excellent reputation, the alumni explained when asked about their decision to attend HFU. They vividly recalled carpooling in a Fiat 500, which was used to transport people and learning materials to lectures and internships. The alumni said with conviction that they would choose Furtwangen University again anytime. The graduates have had very successful careers, including international experience, which they reported on with great enthusiasm.
Following this exchange, Dr. András Kovács and Dr. Julien Petit offered the guests a tour of the technology laboratory for nano and microsystems and the “FIB-SEM system” it contains, an electron microscope that offers excellent opportunities for current research work. In the field of nano and microtechnology, HFU is one of the most outstanding research institutions in Germany, involved in many international cooperation and research projects.
With a self-painted picture created with the help of AI “from back then” and warm greetings, the enthusiastic guests said goodbye to their old university, “Many thanks to HFU for the excellent education and for the Stübchen.”
