Great student interest in Itzehoe – Fraunhofer ISIT is showcasing itself alongside other companies from the Itzehoe Innovation Hub at Kiel University of Applied Sciences’ company open day

Press release /

“Very well attended.” “Excellent discussions with students.” “We’ll be back next year.” That sums up a successful event. Fraunhofer ISIT, eight other companies from the Itzehoe Innovation Hub and the IZET Innovation Centre, as the organiser, showcased their work at the Company Contact Day on the campus of Kiel University of Applied Sciences.

Bernd Buchholz, Minister for Economic Affairs, in conversation with ISIT researcher Saskia Schröder and her colleagues Marc-Alexander Nowak and Prof Ralf Dudde.
ISIT Director Dr Axel Müller Groeling in conversation with company representatives from the Itzehoe Innovation Hub.

It is the largest event of its kind in Schleswig-Holstein, organised by the students of the University of Applied Sciences themselves, and took place for the 28th time this year.

It was easy to find participants for the Itzehoe stand: “The demand for skilled workers in the technology sector is much greater than one might think – even in Itzehoe,” explains IZET Managing Director Professor Dr Ralf Thiericke. “All companies are very interested in students and graduates.”

The company contact day, with over 100 participating firms and several thousand students, is exactly the right forum for this and also brings entrepreneurs into contact with university lecturers.

The high-profile presence from Itzehoe also caught the particular attention of Minister for Economic Affairs Bernd Buchholz during his tour of the fair, which he opened.

“There were many lively discussions, and 26 students were interested in working at Fraunhofer ISIT as undergraduates or postgraduates, as interns, or even as research assistants,” explains ISIT representative Claus Wacker.

One thing is already certain: the Itzehoe Technology Hub will be taking part in the 2020 Company Contact Day once again. “There will certainly be even more participants from Itzehoe then,” says Thiericke.

The aim is to fill all of the dozen or so places available in the university’s main lecture theatre.