There were times when the present only had a few answers to this question. In the 21^st century, things are different. People have a precise vision of the future: They know that climate protection is becoming increasingly relevant; they know that the availability of fossil fuels is finite; and they know that tomorrow's mobility cannot be managed in the long run without new, emission‑free propulsion systems. But even in 2010, this vision of the future is only rarely attainable in the real world. One of the very few glimpses at the world of tomorrow is made possible by mobility; and with it, the automobile.

Model Region Saxony

According to plans of Germany's Federal Government, approximately one million electric vehicles are to be on the roads by 2020. And Saxony is one of eight model regions to be participating in the Federal Government’s National Electromobility Development Plan for which a total of 115 million euros has been allocated through 2011. Coordinated by the Saxon Energy Agency (SAENA GmbH), joint projects and mobility concepts of manufacturers, research facilities, service providers, and infrastructure operators are developed and implemented with which Saxony will assume a key position in the development of electromobility in Germany. For example, one of the model region's projects examines the suitability of electromobility in ordinary everyday use. That’s why a small fleet of electric vehicles will be obtained and the first charging stations for electric passenger cars installed in Dresden and Leipzig.

"Alternative propulsion technologies and electromobility are of global significance and – if we're clever and fast enough – also of great benefit to Saxony," says Sven Morlok, the Saxon State Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport. Saxony has an excellent chance in assuming a leading position in this development. Autoland Saxony with its rich tradition provides distinct competences and an efficient research infrastructure in all relevant sectors such as, for example, energy storage, energy supply infrastructure, utilization of renewable energies, traffic engineering, alternative propulsion systems as well as lightweight construction. And the other projects on public transportation and battery storage clearly demonstrate that Saxony covers the entire value creation chain. The three large automakers located in Saxony end up also benefiting from this knowledge.

www.e-mobil-sachsen.de

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Engineers from Reichenbach in the Vogtland Region are in great demand. Not only regional enterprises, but also enterprises from all around Germany active in diverse industrial branches value their expertise in the field of textile and leather technology. In addition to obtaining profound theoretical knowledge, these student engineers also get lots of hands-on, practical experience during their studies.

The distinctive brick building of the Institute of Textile and Leather Engineering, which has been an outpost of the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences of Zwickau (WHZ) since 1994, houses comprehensive and spacious technical facilities in addition to traditional classrooms and test labs. Students get the requisite skills and expertise in stitching, spinning, knitting, weaving, clothing manufacture, textile finishing, and – unique throughout Germany – leather engineering in order to familiarize themselves with all the relevant processes and procedures of the branch. This will not only be of great help in their later professional careers, but already at the point when they complete their introductory level studies and head for their internship semester. For a period of six months, the prospective engineers familiarize themselves with the various activities in a company. This will have a profound impact on their studies. "Students returning from their internship semesters have changed; once the internships are over, they are eager to learn many things in more detail," Professor Silke Heßberg, the Director of the Institute, describes what she has experienced time and time again. Such a sojourn of several months is a great benefit to both the company and the student.

Dorothea Bauer, a student in the sixth semester, completed her industrial internship at the automotive supplier Faurecia in the Bavarian city of Neuburg on the Donau River. She participated in the development of seats for Audi. "That was both very exciting and challenging work," the 30-year old notes as she looks back on her fifth semester. She has always been very happy that she decided to focus on studying automobile interiors. "I will continue to work in this field and want to submit my application for my diploma thesis at Faurecia as well."

Applied Contents

While the textile industry was essentially only associated with clothing and home textiles in the past, that has changed completely today. "42 percent of the textile production in all of Germany can be applied to technical textiles," explains Silke Heßberg. This proportion will increase even further over the next few years. Which is why the academic program in Reichenbach has been adapted to meet that transformation. In 2003, technical textiles/leather was introduced as an area of specialization, followed by textile-based automobile interiors in 2006. Prior to that, the professors had obtained information from automobile manufacturers as to what knowledge graduates should bring with them. That is why this area of specialization not only focuses on just textile products; even the design of automobile interiors is included in the instructions.

"Both areas of specialization are a great plus for this location," Dorothea Bauer and her fellow student Birgit Wolf believe. The two students are also very pleased with the Institute's neighborhood. "It surprises us again and again that so many Vogtland companies produce innovative niche products for the global market, notes Birgit Wolf. Many of them, she got to know already personally during her studies. The class schedule includes regular excursions which are actually quite different from everyday life at the university. "During your studies, you often only focus on some details of a machine. But in companies, you get to see the entire production process," Birgit Wolf describes her impressions. After all, a 16 meter wide weaving mill in action is much more imposing than the machines used for instructions.

Parallel to the lectures and internships, professors and students are also active in various research projects. Fiber composite materials play a key role in this because they permit the production of hard components that save mass while also possessing the same properties as or even better properties than the original objects. Participation in such projects also helps the future textile engineers gain a foothold for their professional careers – whether it be with automobile manufacturers or automotive suppliers, leather processing firms, or classic textile enterprises which have entered new business sectors manufacturing flame-resistant protective textiles, functional underwear, and/or seat covers for the aviation industry.

Here, innovation is reality and no empty phrase. Global market leaders set the pace with their products. True internationality is practiced as a locational advantage in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Future-oriented economic markets join forces. Distinct tourist services and a superbly developed tourism infrastructure all assure an exceptional quality of life for locals as well as unmatched recreational endeavors and holiday experiences for guests and visitors alike.
Those who really want to familiarize themselves with Upper Lusatia have to look at its many faces and facets: It is a successful economic region, a dynamic location of the future, home to numerous innovative enterprises and entrepreneurs, but also a true tourist region with a charming cultural landscape. Nestled in the border triangle Germany – Poland – Czech Republic, Upper Lusatia also connects three interesting and future-oriented economic markets.
Upper Lusatia's history goes back more than 1,000 years when the ancestors of the Sorbs settled in the region. The Sorbs have preserved their distinct tradition, language, and culture until today – which is not only demonstrated by the many bilingual town signs. Upper Lusatians are cosmopolitan, modern, and outgoing which made them already very prosperous in the past. Along the Via Regia – the main trade route between Spain and the Ukraine –, such cities as Bautzen and Görlitz grew into large urban centers whose magnificence and splendor can still be admired in the historic city centers today. This is just one reason why Upper Lusatia's tourism industry continues to expand.
Upper Lusatia also excels with many other remarkable characteristics and features: Fascinating landscapes, gentle rolling mountain ranges, bizarre rock formations, Europe’s largest artificial waterways, magnificent palaces as well as splendid parks and gardens of international renown. And, last but not least, a comprehensive, premium quality network of bicycle paths and hiking trails is available here which comes along with a multifaceted service portfolio and attractive holiday packages for active tourists.

Excellent Reasons for Upper Lusatia
Its close proximity to the business centers Dresden, Berlin, Wroclaw, and Prague makes Upper Lusatia particularly attractive not only to large corporate groups, but also to small and medium-sized enterprises. Upper Lusatia excels with its committed and highly qualified employees, clear cost advantages, superb interstate transportation connections, and high productivity. Public authorities and their partners are particularly committed to assisting and supporting investors: Inexpensive lots and premises, professional and short approval procedures, numerous programs for general and continued education and training as well as branch-oriented networks all welcome investors to Upper Lusatia. Capacities for each and every need and requirement are available to investors on more than 80 industrial and commercial premises. Professional business services assure that enterprises receive optimal assistance.
Those who settle down in Upper Lusatia have selected a region that is well worth living in. Family‑friendly policies are center stage, the public transportation system as well as the school infrastructure are exceptionally well developed here – and there's so much to choose from among the recreational opportunities available in the Lusatian Land of Lakes, the Zittau Mountains Nature Park, and the numerous cultural institutions of Upper Lusatia.
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