At a networking meeting at Furtwangen University, representatives from politics, business, and science exchanged ideas on game principles and technologies and their great potential.
Successful networking meeting for the “Games & Immersive Media” degree programme at Furtwangen University
At the joint invitation of Catherine Kern, spokesperson for media policy for the Green Party in the state parliament, and Furtwangen University (HFU), representatives from politics, business, and science exchanged ideas about game principles and technologies in the region. The aim of the networking meeting at the university was to explore and develop opportunities for cooperation in the field of games. The focus was on the presentation of the new “Games & Immersive Media” degree programme.
Prof. Jirka Dell'Oro-Friedl, Dean of Studies and initiator of the degree programme, presented the innovative educational concept, “Our approach combines technical excellence with creative thinking. We want to empower our students to create novel, immersive gaming experiences while working closely with the industry.”
Expertise in the development of digital games is no longer only in demand in the games industry itself. Dell'Oro-Friedl cited a study by the Information Service for the Economy, according to which two-thirds of all online job offers seeking games-related expertise in 2024 came from other sectors of the economy. Today, the use of gaming ranges from programming car displays to training systems, whether in the medical field or in the maintenance of complex machines. The gamification of teaching content is also becoming increasingly important, Dell'Oro-Friedl explained.
The participants, including representatives from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Freiburg University Medical Center, SWR, MackMedia, Black Forest Games, kr3m. media, Gameforge AG, and Bosch, engaged in lively discussions about the advantages of a generalist curriculum and suggested additional topics that could be included. State parliament member Catherine Kern was enthusiastic about the constructive exchange, “The games industry is a driver of innovation and creativity in the region. It is a personal concern of mine that this networking continues – preferably on a regular basis.” She emphasised the importance of joint projects and suggested establishing the format permanently in the future.
Constituency representative Martina Braun (Green Party) also praised the innovative course concept and, above all, the practical relevance that is always a focus at Furtwangen University, “The combination of academic education and direct contact with companies is a win-win for all sides and strengthens the skilled labour base in rural areas and throughout Baden-Württemberg.”
The fourth semester of the “Games & Immersive Media” degree programme is now underway at HFU. The programme is currently taught bilingually, “but we will soon be switching to 100 percent English,” announced Professor Dell'Oro-Friedl. He showed the interested guests the “workshops” where students work on projects full-time as a cohort – topics such as “Visual,” “Code,” “Sound,” “Theory,” and “Business” are taught in blocks lasting several weeks.
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Salat, Vice President for Cooperation and Society, also sees the programme as a highly attractive option for international students, “Together with regional companies and institutions, we can create synergies with great potential—whether in internships, theses, or joint research projects.”