Sina Sharif Mansouri from Iran studied the Master’s degree program “Automation and Robotics” at TU Dortmund University from 2012 to 2014. In this interview, he talks about his time at TU Dortmund University, why the library is his preferred place on campus, and how pertaining to Dortmund altered his life.
How did your research studies shape your life and profession course?
After I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in Teheran, Iran, I got my Master’s degree program in 2012. I got offers from Germany, Norway, U.S.A. and Italy and then chose to come to Germany, due to the fact that it is a capital of market with world-leading companies. At TU Dortmund University, I studied Automation and Robotics and specifically liked the courses taught by Prof. Sebastian Engell and Prof. Frank Hoffmann. I believe Germany was a trigger point; a location that assisted me to kick-start my profession. In November 2021, I started my job as a research and development engineer at Scania, dealing with self-governing solutions for Scania trucks and buses. I do not believe I would have the exact same opportunities if I had studied somewhere else.
Beyond that, remaining in Dortmund was my first multicultural experience and I was familiar with various individuals from numerous nations and cultures. I made lots of good friends, we are still in contact, and it is fun to see how the professions of different individuals go.
During my time in Dortmund, my life also changed due to the fact that I fulfilled my future wife. She began her Master’s degree program in Dortmund in 2013 and we have actually been together since. We’ve been wed for over 2 years now and our kid is now one years of age.
Do you still have connections to Dortmund?
After I completed my Master in 2014, I moved to Sweden to begin my PhD. 2 years later, I participated in TU Dortmund’s International Alumni Reunion for alumni from the degree programs “Process Systems Engineering” and “Automation and Robotics”, where I fulfilled good friends and our professors. At the reunion I reconnected with lots of other graduates again, particularly on an expert level. It was good to see that some of them are working in really comparable fields. There were also supporting networking events– and while I never ever had the possibility to check out the BVB arena throughout my research studies, I lastly managed to go there during the reunion. What stunned you at the start of your studies or was entirely unforeseen?
Something I learned throughout that time and still sticks with me is to focus on details– particularly when it concerns discussions, because my professors observed even the smallest mistakes. Apart from that, I was amazed that the courses are really aligned with the industry’s requirements.
It was a brand-new experience to do group projects with about ten individuals. Back in Iran, we also did group work, but with about two to three students. Therefore, I found out a lot about cooperations in smaller sub-teams but also in a bigger group.
Something that was tough for me were German examinations since your time was restricted, which was not the case at my previous university. In Germany you need to be well-prepared and fix it in a short time, otherwise you can fail the exam.
Do you have a very unique memory of your time at university?
With my old pals, I really like to speak about our ritual to go to the lunchroom for a break– often with about 10 individuals. We had our coffee there, relaxed and did not speak about research studies for fifteen minutes.
Which is or was your favorite place on school and why?
I believe my favorite location was the library, due to the fact that it was peaceful and you could focus. We always went there to study; for time-outs and for conversations, we were decreasing to the very first floor, put our laptop computers in the lockers and sat at the round tables near the entryway– it was fun. For chatting and having a pizza together, we likewise liked the “Sonnendeck” (today: food fakultät). Overall, I believe me and my buddies invested a lot of time in the library.
What would be your supreme pointer for brand-new students today?
I believe the supreme advice is to learn German as excellent as you can. It is not just that life is getting easier; it really opens you more doors for you at the end of the day because you will get more connections. As a student, you can learn languages much easier than during your work life because you are much more flexible with your schedule and tos perform– when you discover a job it is much harder to discover appropriate time for language.
Another aspect of real estate: When I remained in Iran, I wished to have a one-room apartment or condo and have my personal privacy. In Dortmund, I resided in a home with three other individuals, which I believed I did not like in the start– but at the end of the day, it was an advantage since I became pals with my roomies, they taught me new things and sometimes we talked for hours.
Additionally, just take pleasure in and rely on the instructional system, choose your path (for me it was Automation and Robotics), and follow it.
German Version
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