DANOBATGROUP AND THE GIPUZKOA SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING COLLABORATE TO TRAIN PROFESSIONALS IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

The irruption of new technology is having a major impact on the machine tool and advanced manufacturing sector. And as a result, new professionals capable of tackling the challenges presented by the digitalisation of production processes and environments are required.

In this context, Danobatgroup, an industrial group specialised in machine tools and advanced manufacturing, and the Gipuzkoa School of Engineering (EIG/GIE) of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU are joining forces to train future professionals in the sector with the creation of the UPV/EHU-Danobatgroup Classroom Precision in Machine Tools. This training classroom, organised by both entities, is designed for students of the Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering and Mechanical Engineering degrees and the double degree in Mechanical Engineering + Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering of the EIG/GIE, a profile in high demand in an increasingly intelligent and connected industry.

Although the classroom has been running for a year, the collaboration between the two entities was made official this morning at the EIG/GIE facilities in Donostia-San Sebastián with the signing of the collaboration framework between the university and the company.

The agreement, which will run for four years as of today, was signed by representatives of the UPV/EHU; specifically, Xabier Ostolaza, Director of the School; Mikel Iturrate, Director of the UPV/EHU-Danobatgroup Machine Tool Precision Classroom and Iker Laskurain, Deputy Director of External Relations at the EIG/GIE; and by Iker Usabiaga, Director of Social Management at Danobatgroup, on behalf of the industrial group.

This collaboration agreement is part of Danobatgroup´s strategic commitment to training and managing the talent of young people in the area. As explained by Danobatgroup´s Director of Social Management, "maintaining close contact with one of the Basque Country´s leading universities helps us to promote the generation of knowledge, exchange and transfer of talent between the academic world and the companies of our group".

Theoretical and practical training

Within this alliance, both parties are committed to collaborating in the field of undergraduate training to generate talent adapted to the demanding needs required by the machine tool and advanced manufacturing sector. At the same time, they will try to improve the employability of students by promoting dual mechanisms through internships and final degree projects. Both parties will also be responsible for organising technical sessions and conferences related to the field of machine tools. These activities will be an excellent opportunity for students to learn first-hand about the challenges and possibilities of the sector.

The students´ theoretical and practical training will be complemented by academic study, analysis and research work on trends in the sector, with the participation of EIG/GIE teaching staff and students, as well as of professionals from the cooperative companies of the industrial group. In addition, students will also be able to learn about the most advanced technological solutions offered by machine tools through technical visits to the companies of the industrial group.

"Through this collaboration with Danobatgroup we seek to offer our students all kinds of facilities to become professionals in machine tools and advanced manufacturing, as well as to give visibility and promote STEAM studies among young people in the area", said the Deputy Director of External Relations at the Gipuzkoa School of Engineering, Iker Laskurain.