Our Thriving Alumni Network
RWTH North America Alumni Meeting in Atlanta
After missing out for the last four years, it was finally possible to hold another RWTH North America Alumni meeting. Daniel Schimmel, an RWTH alumnus living in North America, has kindly written a report about the get-together:
Organizer Gerd Schroth went above and beyond with this RWTH Alumni Meeting. He put together an outstanding program that exceeded the expectations of the more than 20 participants by far. As a bonus, we welcomed the RWTH Rector’s Delegate for Alumni, Professor Bernd Markert, from Aachen into our midst.
The event started at the hotel bar on Thursday evening, and lively discussions soon ensued – despite or perhaps because of the American Budweiser beer. Friday morning, after a joint breakfast, we set out to visit TK Elevator, or TKE for short, one of the largest manufacturers and service providers for elevator systems, which operates a test tower in Atlanta. Steven Ferguson gave us some insight into the latest elevator technologies, and we learned that TKE installed the fastest elevator in North America at One World Trade Center in New York, clocking in at almost 37 km/h. A counterpart to the Atlanta test tower is located in Rottweil, Germany.
All the participants were surprised by a linear elevator that can be used both vertically and horizontally. The icing on the cake of our visit was the vista from the top floor of the 420-foot (circa 128-meter, editor’s note) skyscraper, treating us to a perfect bird’s eye view of downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, and the surrounding area.
From there, our alumni group continued to Georgia Tech, one of RWTH’s partner universities. First, Professor Thomas Kurfess and his assistants gave us a tour of the machine laboratory, where projects are carried out with industrial partners. The focus here is on materials research, 3D printing of metals, and automating existing plants. From there, we headed to Georgia Tech’s Downtown Campus, where students work independently in their own laboratories. Every year, their goal is to beat other teams in building the fastest robot to complete a specific task. Watch this YouTube video to see what it is all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9rVak7B9mE
After a tasty sandwich lunch, we continued to the Atlanta airport, where we were welcomed by RWTH alumnus Dr. Michael Jacquorie, Managing Director – Airport Customer Experience and Operations – The Americas (Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean) at Delta Air Lines, who oversees 4,000 employees. With his help, we got a behind-the-scenes look at Delta’s baggage handling operations – processing approximately 90,000 pieces of baggage daily for Delta alone – and even the airline’s Operations Control Center. This facility is responsible for everything – from refueling aircraft to catering flights to coordinating the ground crews at the gate.
Topping off this fantastic day, the meeting organizer, Gerd Schroth, invited the group to an Oktoberfest gathering at his home. Everyone enjoyed the balmy temperatures and German delicacies on the hosts’ beautiful patio. Lively discussions were fueled by beer and wine. With everyone having spent time in Aachen, it was easy to find plenty of topics for conversation.
You can read the full report in our Alumni Announcements. There, you will also find more photos of the event.
– Author: Daniel Schimmel
Face-to-Face Meeting in Shanghai
As part of a trip to China in early September, Professor Bernd Markert, RWTH’s Rector’s Delegate for Alumni and Head of the Institute of General Mechanics (IAM), spontaneously met with board members of the new alumni association founded in April in China’s most important industrial metropolis. Professor Markert was only able to attend the founding ceremony online last spring. In September, he then had the opportunity to get to know the association in person. It was also a good chance for him to discuss possible alumni activities. Despite the currently rather tense political situation between Germany and China, the meeting took place in a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
– Author: Dietrich Hunold
Joint RWTH and TU Munich Alumni Event in New Delhi
On October 16, 2023, a joint alumni event of RWTH Aachen University and TU Munich took place. The German Embassy in New Delhi had generously provided its premises for the event. The event was supported by the German Centre for Science and Innovation (DWIH).
RWTH and TU Munich alumni, as well as external parties, gained exciting insights into the topic of “Indian and German Perspectives on the Utilization of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies.” They were also able to participate in a panel discussion and, of course, network with one another. Professor Bernd Markert, Rector’s Delegate for RWTH Alumni and Director of the Institute of General Mechanics, was also invited and held a keynote speech on "Digital Twins in Engineering."
Would you like to be informed about the next alumni event in India? Please register in our alumni portal and enter your place of residence in your profile. That way, you will never miss an invitation.
See more photos on the event’s webpage in our Alumni Announcements.
– Author: Siba Fitzau
Norderwerft – a Glimpse Into the Bowels of Ships: RWTH Alums Visit a Shipyard in Hamburg
On the afternoon of September 15, 2023, six alumnae and 20 alumni set off for the south bank of the Elbe; some of them used the HADAG ferry in keeping with the occasion. The destination of the excursion was the “Norderwerft Repair GmbH,” one of only two shipyards left in Hamburg with large docks that also accommodate seagoing vessels.
We were welcomed there by Mr. Hans-Joachim Theile, managing director of Norderwerft, with coffee, cake, and cold drinks. The local organizer (Winfried Sturm) briefly set the mood and thanked alumnus Klaus Borgschulte, who had the idea for this event but was, unfortunately, unable to attend at short notice, before Mr. Theile took over and introduced us to the history, tasks, and goals of the company.
Afterwards, we went out into the open air. In glorious weather, we were able to take a look at the spacious grounds and, as a highlight, descend into a dock and then enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Hamburg from above. Even during this tour, Mr. Theile tirelessly answered the almost endless questions posed by the participants.
Read the entire report on this alumni meeting and see more photos in our Alumni Announcements.
– Author: Winfried Sturm
First Alumni Meeting in Switzerland in a Long Time
After a long hiatus, an alumni meeting was once again held in Switzerland on August 25. We were overwhelmed by the positive response; nearly 50 alums had signed up! RWTH alumnus Florian Winters worked hard to find a place for so many people to gather and be able to chat. Thank you very much!
At the Sablier Rooftop Restaurant near Zurich Airport, the alums enjoyed great food, got to know each other, exchanged ideas, and even planned future activities for Swiss RWTH Alumni. The next meeting will likely be held in the spring of 2024. We were thrilled to see such commitment and initiative!
– Author: Siba Fitzau