Magdeburg (dpa/sa) – Great hopes are attached to the settlement of the US corporation Intel in Magdeburg – this also opens up many opportunities for the universities. You could help Intel and the other companies that are supposed to settle there with the next generation of skilled workers. But new courses, professorships and research cost money. “We will need additional funds for this, we cannot do it alone,” said Jens Strackeljan, Rector of the Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg. If the universities were an important criterion for Intel’s location decision, it must be clear that this does not come for free. A specific demand has not yet been formulated.
In addition, there must be practice laboratories at the university, according to the rector, who is also president of the State Rectors’ Conference of Saxony-Anhalt. “We teach skills at university level that can be connected to activities in the semiconductor industry on many levels,” said Strackeljan.
With all of this, time is of the essence. According to Strackeljan, if production is to start in the new industrial area in 2027, the first study programs should be in place and students enrolled in 2023/24. And even then, the standard period of study will be tight.
The Rector sees a great opportunity in the European orientation of the strategy. According to its own statements, Intel is planning projects in the areas of research, development and design in other countries such as France and Italy in addition to the initial two factories in Magdeburg. A production facility already exists in Ireland.
Are the attractiveness of the future jobs and the international cooperation of the university sufficient? Offers can be made in this regard, the rector said. Networks and cooperations with Intel make it much easier to advertise these courses. With the company’s official decision, the joint implementation phase has now begun. How to proceed in concrete terms is now being worked out. “I have respect for the task,” said Strackeljan.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220317-99-553945/3
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