How can the OTH Regensburg and regional companies work together even more effectively to train international skilled employees, and what is needed for the successful onboarding and integration of international talents into the regional job market? These questions were addressed at the OTH Regensburg networking event entitled ‘Next Generation Professionals@OTH Regensburg – International Talents & Regional Opportunities’ on 13 November 2025. Representatives of regional companies, the City and the Landkreis (district) of Regensburg, the Regensburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Upper Palatinate/Kelheim, the Employment Agency and the Bavarian-Indian Centre for Business and University Cooperation came together with employees and international students from the OTH Regensburg on campus. The event was organised by Prof. Dr. Markus Westner, Commissioner for the Development of International Degree Programmes, and the OTH BRIDGE project team.
International skilled workers for the East Bavaria region
The networking afternoon was opened by Prof. Dr. Ralph Schneider, President of the OTH Regensburg, and Bernadette Dechant, City Councillor for Regensburg. In their welcoming speeches, they emphasised the importance of international skilled employees for Regensburg and the region, as well as the necessary cooperation between all stakeholders. This was followed by brief presentations by the OTH Regensburg on concepts, degree programmes and projects that already significantly promote the recruitment and training of international talents at the OTH Regensburg. The Regensburg model serves as a basis for international bachelor’s degree programmes whose curriculum is initially in English but already includes the teaching of German language skills and intercultural competence.
The audience was introduced to the international bachelor's degree programmes International Electrical Engineering, International Mechanical Engineering and International Computer Science, as well as the master’s degree programme Mathematics for Business and Industry (taught in English). The OTH BRIDGE project was also presented, which offers international students support throughout their studies and builds a network with regional companies to facilitate their transition into the German job market. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) in cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) until the end of 2028.
Onboarding international talent in practice
The presentations by the Regensburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Upper Palatinate/Kelheim and AVL Software and Functions were particularly insightful: Karen Fisher, Specialist for Recruiting Skilled Employees at the Regensburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Upper Palatinate/Kelheim, presented how international graduates can be successfully integrated into a company. Anna Nikolaienko, HR Specialist at AVL Software and Functions, gave participants an insight into the onboarding activities for international talents in the company as an example of good practice.
After the presentations, participants had the opportunity to discuss the main topics of the event in two workshops. Finally, two international students, Saniyah Hafeez and Antoni Maros, from the International Computer Science and International Mechanical Engineering study programmes introduced themselves. They gave a brief insight into their studies at the OTH Regensburg and talked about their motivation for coming to Regensburg to study.
Overall, the event was a complete success: participants were very satisfied and particularly emphasised the high relevance of the topics and the valuable networking opportunities. Over drinks and snacks at the end of the event, some initial concrete collaborations were discussed in one-on-one conversations. The networking event thus provided a valuable forum for dialogue for all participants to approach the topic together.
