For the third time this year, Audi Hungaria and Széchenyi István University have organized a special summer training programme, in which 31 students from 22 countries participated.

The Audi Development Camp is a unique event that, after an intensive crash course, immediately immerses young individuals in real industrial problems, requiring them to work in teams to solve these issues while competing with each other. Through this special educational methodology, students become capable of handling complex tasks and acquire specialized expertise in the latest knowledge areas within just 4 weeks.

Furthermore, participation offers the advantage of gaining valuable experience from Audi Hungaria and its partners at the forefront of the automotive industry, as well as establishing professional connections and friendships that can shape the future of these talented engineering candidates present here.

The closing event of the camp was held in the conference room of the Management Campus. (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

The campus of Széchenyi István University hosted the camp, where the students spent their July not in relaxation or vacationing but in devoting their time and energy to their future careers. In her opening remarks at the closing event, this commitment was emphasized by Katalin Németh, Head of Educational and Science Cooperation at Audi Hungaria,

"This camp represents a new and innovative form of education that we believe in: it's experiential, exciting, and enjoyable. A challenge is necessary for motivation, excellent educators and mentors are needed for support, and, of course, enthusiastic students are necessary for all of this to come to fruition. I am confident that the momentum I've seen in all of you here will continue into the future, and the relationships that have been forged here will stand the test of time," said Ms. Németh, who also thanked the supporting partners – dSpace, Gamax Laboratory Solutions, AVL, and Etas – alongside the organizers.

Today, it is not only attitude, motivation, determination, and skills that matter when selecting an employee, but social abilities too. The camp also focuses on developing these,” Németh Katalin explained. (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

Burkhard Knodel, Manager of Electronic System Integration at Audi Hungaria, shared a similar perspective and placed the significance of the camp in a broader context.

"The automotive industry is facing immense changes as internal combustion engines are gradually being replaced by electric propulsion systems. Additionally, customer expectations have changed: today, there is a need for cars equipped with sophisticated electronic systems that can operate reliably in the long term. This is why virtual design has gained significant importance; without it, we wouldn't be able to compete in the market in terms of both time and cost. The Audi Development Camp provided you with a glimpse of precisely this," said the expert, revealing the connections between industrial changes and education.

Burkhard Knodel emphasized the importance of teamwork in his speech. (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

On behalf of the university, Dr. Dániel Feszty, Head of the Department of Vehicle Development, welcomed the students emphasizing the significance of the camp in terms of training future talents.

"The Audi Development Camp is a training programme unique in the world, and those who participate gain the most up-to-date knowledge in the relevant fields. And this is exactly the type of young, talented engineers that the industry needs. At Széchenyi István University, we follow the idea of identifying the industry's needs and strive to satisfy those demands. This guides our daily decisions, and this is what this camp is all about," stated the Head of Department.

The Audi Development Camp is built upon innovative methodology, as emphasized by Dr. Dániel Feszty. (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

Finally, Michael Maler, Trainer at dSpace, addressed the attendees and noted that impressive results had been achieved during the task-solving process.

"I know there were long nights, challenging periods, but the effort was worth it. I am proud that you invested your time and progressed so much in these past four weeks," he remarked.

Michael Maler announced that both his company and himself are willing to support the event in the future. (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

This year, students were divided into two groups, with each group forming two teams that worked on the same task but competed against each other in terms of results, adding extra excitement to the project. One group worked on a simulation model for an electric vehicle battery, while the other investigated the effects of ethanol-enriched synthetic fuels on engines.ú

On behalf of the organizers, Athena Vojnovics bid farewell, while Gabriela Suarez did so on behalf of the students. (Photos: Csaba József Májer)

The best-performing teams were rewarded with tickets to the Formula Student East competition and the Formula Student Symposium held at Széchenyi István University. Additionally, the most outstanding students were recognized with the "Most Talented Student" title, earning them tickets to any match of the Audi ETO KC, a local women’s handball club.

The greatest recognition, however – and a demonstration of the success of the training – is that over half of the participating students received internship or full-time job offers from Audi Hungaria.

Award-winning students (Photos: Csaba József Májer)

The Audi Development Camp Class of 2023. (Photo: Csaba József Májer)