How do you ensure that future engineers are ready for a world in which technology is developing at breakneck speed? According to Milence and HAN University of Applied Sciences, this begins not only in the lecture theatres, but precisely in practical settings. That is why both organisations are collaborating on projects that prepare students for the energy transition and help businesses to innovate.
Milence, founded by Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP and the Volvo Group, is building a European charging network for electric lorries and buses. Behind such a charging hub lies a complex combination of hardware, software, energy systems and smart technology. It is precisely this practical setting that provides a challenging learning environment for HAN students.
Learning through real-world challenges
Since February, engineering students from HAN University of Applied Sciences have been working on various projects for Milence. Not on hypothetical cases, but on real-world challenges.
Project leader Iwan van Bochove sees great added value in this. “Our location at Cleantech Park is a hybrid learning and working environment where students work on projects that come directly from the business world.”
According to him, this is essential, as technological developments are following one another at an ever-increasing pace.
“What’s in the textbooks today is, so to speak, already out of date by tomorrow. Developments are happening so quickly that education can barely keep up.”
Students bring a fresh perspective
For Milence, the collaboration is just as valuable. Eirini Kostelidou, Charging Technology Product Specialist, is working on the development of the charging infrastructure and sees how students offer new perspectives.
“Helping new engineers understand what mobility is all about and the challenges involved benefits both them and us. Students bring a fresh perspective and sometimes come up with ideas we hadn’t even thought of ourselves.”
It is precisely this interaction that makes the partnership so interesting. Students gain practical experience, whilst Milence benefits from new insights.
From theory to practice
According to Eirini, practical experience is essential for every engineer.
“As an engineer, you have to design things, but you also need to think beyond the theory. Ultimately, you’re creating something for a real company. So: build it yourself, test it yourself and see whether you’ve applied your knowledge correctly.”
She also believes that diversity within student teams yields significant benefits.
“People from different backgrounds look at the same problem in different ways. Bringing together multiple perspectives often leads to better solutions.”
Investing in the engineers of tomorrow
The partnership brings significant benefits to both organisations. Students gain a realistic insight into the professional world and start building a professional network whilst still studying. For Milence, the partnership represents an opportunity to connect with technical talent at an early stage.
“Through the partnership, students and the company get to know each other,” says Eirini. “This makes the step towards a final-year project or even a job much easier.”
Iwan, too, looks back with satisfaction on the first projects.
“I’m proud of how the collaboration is going. Of course, not everything runs perfectly; that’s all part of it. But it’s delivering enormous benefits for our students and for Milence.”
Eirini agrees. “We are proud that, as a company, we are playing an active role in the energy transition and in training future engineers.”
Building the future together
The partnership between HAN University of Applied Sciences and Milence demonstrates how education and the business world can reinforce one another. Students develop their talents by tackling current issues, whilst companies benefit from new knowledge and fresh ideas. This creates a learning environment in which innovation, talent development and the energy transition go hand in hand.
Would you like to find out more about collaborating with HAN University of Applied Sciences? Visit www.han.nl/samenwerken or contact Cecile de Boer at cecile.deboer@han.nl.
This article originally appeared in the magazine *Kijk op Arnhem-Nijmegen* and has been adapted into a shorter, online version for this website.
