For the fourth time, the Audi Development Camp, an intensive Short Study Programme, was organised jointly by Széchenyi István University and Audi Hungaria between 9 and 15 August. The international micro-certificate course, closely linked to vehicle development, attracted 35 talented students from 20 countries who had the opportunity to learn and develop for a week in Győr.

The Audi Development Camp (ADC) is an important element of the 30-year long fruitful cooperation between Széchenyi István University and Audi Hungaria. The Short Study Programme was first held in 2019. This year for the fourth time, aspiring engineers and economists from all over the world were invited to learn the secrets of vehicle development during the week-long camp. The Audi Development Camp opened at the Győr Innovation Park, where science, innovation and industry intertwine in everyday life.

The opening of the 2024 Audi Development Camp took place at the Innovation Park of Széchenyi István University in Győr. (Photo: Máté Dudás)

Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations of Széchenyi István University, was delighted to welcome the 35 talented students, who came to Győr from 20 universities in 20 countries, and spent a week simulating the powertrain of an electric vehicle, competing in five-member project teams to win. She stressed that Széchenyi University plays an important role in training automotive professionals in the region and is proud of its three-decade partnership with Audi Hungaria. "This cooperation has grown steadily over the years, and in addition to education, it has also been embodied in laboratory services, as well as research and development. One of the flagships of this multifaceted relationship is the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering, established in 2015, which now offers four English-taught programmes for students and has several joint projects with Audi Hungaria in its departments," she said, adding: “The ADC is an excellent example of partnership and the camp aims to show the young talents of the camp is to show young talent the best way in the timeframe provided.”

Katalin Németh, Head of Education and Academic Cooperation at Audi Hungaria, described the relationship between the company and Széchenyi University as a broad and diverse one, in which the parties are developing together. “We are proud of our joint developments, of the activities of the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Vehicle Engineering and of our employees who support both the industrial and academic sides with their work,” she underlined, adding: “The ADC has many advantages, such as the practice-oriented form of education, project work in an international team, networking and solution-focused joint thinking to find answers to real industrial problems. Seeing the challenges of the future and finding the right way forward by working with others: this is the most valued quality in the labour market.”

As an excellent example of the cooperation between the university and Audi, Dr Jan Rohde-Brandenburger, Head of the Department of Propulsion Technology and powertrain development expert at Audi Hungaria, also welcomed the participants. He explained that the ADC will give students the chance to practice the skills and competences they will need for their careers in the automotive industry. “Over the past six months, we have developed a programme for the camp that mirrors the simulation work of a powertrain engineer. The task is to get the best possible performance out of the powertrain, while also looking at efficiency and carbon emissions, as well as some ESG criteria,” he explained.

The Dean of the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Vehicle Engineering, Dr. Gábor Dogossy, spoke about Audi's impact on education, which also plays a role in the university's emphasis on project-based, practice-oriented training. He also proudly highlighted the faculty's student innovation teams that excel in international competitions, such as the engine developer SZEngine, the Arrabona Racing Team that excels in the Formula Student series and the world record-breaking SZEnergy Team that develops electric cars.

During the camp, admitted students from prestigious universities, such as Princeton University and the Technical University of Darmstadt, were introduced to the course material in teaching days and then worked on the simulation task in independent projects. The team behind the ADC also organised leisure activities, including a visit to the Audi factory in Győr and the world-class automotive proving ground, ZalaZone, in Zalaegerszeg.

Gallery: (Photos: Máté Dudás)