From 10 to 12 April, the "International Students' Day of Metallurgy (ISDM)" will take place at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. Johann Albert Gey, Janus Schaarschmidt and Lukas Neubert are organising the international conference by students for students. Almost 200 participants will travel to Freiberg, one of the most important study locations for metallurgy in Germany.
11.4.2024: Career fair and lectures open to all!
- 8 am to 4.30 pm: Lectures
- 12 pm to 2.30 pm: Career fair with leading companies from the steel, metals and materials sectors
- Location: New University Library, Winklerstr. 3, Freiberg
- To the programme
What is special about ISDM 2024?
Johann Gey: It's a day for students and doctoral candidates specialising in iron and steel technology, non-ferrous metallurgy, foundry technology and metal forming. Metallurgy is a small subject in Germany with only a few professorships and some dozend degree programmes. Students at the various universities are traditionally well networked - nationally and internationally! Apart from Germany, we are expecting participants from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and even Brazil.
At the conference, students and doctoral candidates present their own research, for example from diploma or master's theses and internships, and gain important experience in presenting their results and expertise. They network with each other, discuss current challenges in their studies and connact with companies at the careers fair.
Which major topics for studying and doing a doctorate in the field of metallurgy are being discussed?
Lukas Neubert: Doing a degree in metallurgy means being very close to research and application; the practical component is very high at all universities. Students can directly contribute to the challenges of the industries in which they will later work. Especially at the present time, these subjects are very exciting for anyone who is interested in new technologies and wants to make a contribution to a more sustainable planet.
Take iron and steel technology for example. The industry is in the midst of a transformation process in which many new innovations for lower CO2 emissions and greater sustainability are emerging. And the demand for skilled workers is high. Usually, graduates do not have to send out lot's of applications!
And what do you personally take away from the intensive phase of organising such a large event?
Janus Schaarschmidt: The organisation requires many helpful soft skills that you can train over a longer period of time: Finance, space planning, website creation and advertising or even enquiries to HR departments of large companies for their presence at the career fair. As a student, I got to know my own university from a different perspective and received a lot of support. As the ISDM is an international conference, I was also able to improve my English skills.
Johann Albert Gey, Janus Schaarschmidt and Lukas Neubert form the board of the Verein der Metallurgiestudenten zu Freiberg e.V., which finances and organises the conference thanks to sponsorship.
The association was founded in 2008 to organise the first ISDM and currently has around 150 members. Metallurgy students from all study locations as well as alumni and interested parties from other degree programmes can join the association and take advantage of its offers. It organises excursions and regulars' tables with specialist lectures and networking. The members meet once a year for an annual general meeting. Further information