New cooperation projects between Gerresheimer and OTH Amberg-Weiden
Wackersdorf, June 19, 2019: Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH and Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Amberg-Weiden have been working together closely for many years now. Since 2014, Gerresheimer’s Technical Competence Center in Wackersdorf has also been an Innovative Learning Location (ILO), which the university uses to host top-class external events with the aid of technical equipment and local specialist expertise. On June 5, the Center hosted its second workshop dedicated to combining scientific theory with industrial practice.
Medical technology specialist Gerresheimer and OTH Amberg-Weiden have already implemented numerous projects together, such as establishing an endowed professorship in medical technology and setting up a clean room laboratory at the university. The partners successfully combine scientific theory and industrial practice by way of dual degree programs and numerous options for dissertations. Richard Kiener (Global Head of Automation, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf) explains how the cooperation project ensures “both sides benefit from the partnership.” “The crossover between theoretical teaching content and practical applications is consolidated, and key contacts can be forged between Gerresheimer employees and students.”
With its concept of Innovative Learning Locations, OTH is systematically strengthening its presence in the region. It has made the deliberate choice not to set up any satellite sites but instead to pool all its expertise on a single campus. Externally, it is active at decentralized creative centers, either providing outstanding learning environments like the monasteries in the locality or, in the case of industrial companies, offering well-equipped laboratories and excellent technical expertise.
You only need to look at the partners’ recent line-up of events to see that the knowledge transfer works well both ways. During the current summer semester, students on the Medical Engineering Bachelor’s degree course have been looking into how medical products are assembled. They also had the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge learned in the “Handling and Packaging Technologies” module to a project based on the example of a real product. The first meeting for the new cycle was held on April 24 at Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH’s Technical Competence Center in Wackersdorf. The event was opened by Christian Lanzl (Calculation Expert, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf) and Reinhard Hösl (Global Head of Automation Engineering at the same site), who set the students an assignment to produce an autoinjector. Their task was to come up with an assembly concept that would solve this problem by the next meeting. This was then followed by two talks. The first was given by Anna Weidner (Automation Validation Engineer, Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH, Wackersdorf), who looked at starting a career at Gerresheimer, using the example of system validation. Annika Zach (Specialist HR Development at the same site) then went on to explain Gerresheimer’s HR management system, detailing the ins and outs of the company’s application process. The students then presented their assembly concepts at the second meeting on June 5. Later, Christoph Kellermann (Head of Automation Systems, Gerresheimer Bünde GmbH, Bünde) gave a talk on industrial image processing – an absolutely essential technology in the quality management system at Gerresheimer.
Students see the cooperation with Gerresheimer as an excellent opportunity to strengthen the practical aspect of their studies and gain insights into the different areas of the company. “Gerresheimer is a wonderful Innovative Learning Location. We really appreciate the commitment shown by the company and its employees. The content of the talks is accessible, and this is something the students – and others – really appreciate,” said Prof. Burkhard Stolz on behalf of OTH Amberg-Weiden.
About Gerresheimer
Gerresheimer is a leading global partner to the pharma and healthcare industry. With specialty glass and plastic products, the Company contributes to health and well-being. Gerresheimer operates worldwide and its approximately 10,000 employees manufacture products in local markets, close to its customers. With plants in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, Gerresheimer generates revenues of around EUR 1.4 billion. The comprehensive product portfolio includes pharmaceutical packaging and products for the safe, simple administration of medicines: insulin pens, inhalers, micro pumps, prefillable syringes, injection vials, ampoules, bottles, and containers for liquid and solid medicines with closure and safety systems as well as packaging for the cosmetics industry.
