Oldenburg. The University of Oldenburg and the Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences have been jointly offering the Bachelor's and Master's degree programme "Engineering Physics" since the 1998/99 winter semester. Now the universities want to expand the range of courses on offer - and add the dual degree programme "Engineering Physics in Practice". Prof Dr Katharina Al-Shamery, Acting President of the University, and Prof Dr Gerhard Kreutz, President of Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences, signed a letter of intent in Oldenburg today. "The university maintains numerous co-operations with universities in the north-west - whether in the areas of study, research, further education or administration," said Prof. Dr Katharina Al-Shamery. "I am delighted that we will be working together with Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences to intensify our cooperation in the promising field of dual degree programmes - in the spirit of a stronger interlinking of professional practice and studies." Prof. Dr Kreutz also emphasises the importance of strengthening competitiveness in terms of regional policy: "I see this co-operation as a further contribution by the college and university to effectively countering the shortage of skilled workers and offering young people a career-related academic qualification in their home region." The dual degree programme is aimed at those interested in physical-technical professions, such as precision opticians, laser technicians, electronics technicians, mechatronics technicians, acousticians, medical technicians or microtechnologists. It will be accredited in 2015 and will initially start with five students from the 2015/16 winter semester. By June of this year, the university and college intend to supplement the cooperation agreement from 1998. Oldenburg medical physicist Prof. Dr Björn Poppe and Emden laser specialist Prof. Dr Walter Neu are in charge of the negotiations.

Front: Prof. Dr Katharina Al-Shamery (Acting President, University of Oldenburg), Prof. Dr Gerhard Kreutz (President, Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences)
Back from left to right: Prof. Dr Meinhard Simon (Dean, School V - School of Mathematics and Science, University of Oldenburg), Prof. Dr Walter Neu (Institute of Laser Technology, Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Dr Rüdiger Götting (Dean, Department of Technology, Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences)