Chronicle
History and chronicle of the Institute of Plastics Technology at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
In more than 50 years, engineering training in plastics technology at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences has gained a high reputation in the relevant industry. From very small beginnings in the "Training Workshop for the Processing of Thermoplastic Semi-finished Products" at the State Engineering School for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in Darmstadt, the Department of Plastics Technology was established, which has produced more than 2000 graduates to date. During this period, the plastics industry grew enormously and with it the demands on the skills and number of plastics engineers. The industrial trends were always a great challenge to the university's ability to change. The fact that the department was able to keep pace with this development is largely due to the fact that it always had its finger on the pulse of the times through contact with its graduates. Future orientation became a habit, even a tradition. Here are the milestones in this history.
July 1951: Opening of a training workshop for plastics processing at the municipal engineering school for mechanical and electrical engineering.
Winter semester 1959: First plastics course for students.
October 1965: Commissioning of the plastics laboratory in the new Schöfferstraße building
Winter semester 1967: Department of Plastics Technology within the Mechanical Engineering faculty.
Winter semester 1968: First graduates from the Department of Plastics Technology. Dr. Thomas Barth is one of them. He later became spokesman of the institute's advisory board.
November 1970: Decree by the Hessian Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs to convert the Department of Plastics Technology into an independent specialization at the state engineering school.
May 1971: Decree by the Hessian Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs to establish the Department of Plastics Technology at the new Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Prof. Dr. Ing. Bernhard Gnauck is appointed head of the department. Supported by committed professors and staff and backed by the plastics industry, the new department begins its work. Information events and panel discussions on the career field and training course "Engineer for Plastics Technology" are held for pupils, teachers, industry, careers advisors from employment offices, chambers of trade and industry and chambers of commerce. This ultimately leads to numerous students taking up the plastics engineering course. This year also sees the creation of the so-called "Mao Bible", a blue notebook in which the names and addresses of graduates are meticulously recorded.
Summer semester 1974: Move into the new laboratory hall and the plastics chemistry laboratory in the high-rise building.
Summer semester 1977: Prof. Dr. Gnauck hands over the management of the department to Prof. Krause. Dr. Gnauck has shaped the founding period of the department with great commitment and, in cooperation with industry, laid the foundation for an engineering education that is highly regarded beyond Germany. Prof. Krause is succeeded as head of department and dean by Dr. Schönewald, Mr. Hulek, Mr. Wesp, Dr. Bögel, Dr. Stengler and Dr. Gesenhues.
January 1981: The first graduate reunion in the Orangerie is followed by annual gatherings of graduates, students, staff and professors. The graduates continue to feel connected to their department and share their experiences in industry.
Summer semester 1982: A series of further education events begins with the international Flock seminar. In cooperation with the "Gesellschaft zur Förderung des technischen Nachwuchses" (Society for the Promotion of Young Technicians), specialist seminars are offered for graduates and industry in the field of plastics processing.
1988: First international contacts with universities in Spain, Ireland and Australia. In the following years, contacts are intensified and expanded with universities in Paraguay, Romania, Hungary, China and other countries. Practical semesters and diploma theses abroad and supervision of foreign students in Darmstadt ensue.
June 1990: First Darmstadt Plastics Days. The purpose and aim of the Plastics Days is to provide further training and deepen contacts with graduates and industry. Since then, they have been held every two years with great success.
Summer semester 1990: The 1000th diploma certificate in plastics technology is presented to graduate Susanne Braun. This event is celebrated in the presence of relatives and well-known representatives of the university and industry.
November 1994: Ceremonial inauguration of the new premises in the Dugena complex between Berliner Allee and Haardtring. The presence of the Hessian Minister for Science and Art, Prof. Dr. Mayer, the Rector of the university Prof. Dr. Kremer, the Lord Mayor of Darmstadt Benz, the President of the Association of the Plastics Processing Industry Wagner and other high-ranking personalities demonstrate the importance of the event. It will take another two years to set up and move into the technical centers and laboratories, lecture rooms and offices. This provides very good conditions for a modern training facility
Summer semester 1996: With seven enrolments, the number of students in the first semester reaches an all-time low. The number of students in plastics engineering declines continuously in the following years.
August 1996: The department has been in existence for 25 years. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the new facilities are presented to the public.
Summer semester 1999: The total number of students has fallen to the level of the founding period.
May 2004: Two members of the faculty are elected to key positions at the university: Prof. Dr. Bernhard May becomes Vice President and Prof. Dr. Ralph Stengler becomes Head of the Center for Research and Development.
Spring 2005: The department presents itself for the first time at training fairs throughout Germany.
December 2005: Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences is the first university in Germany to receive accreditation for the Bachelor's and Master's degree courses in plastics technology.
Summer semester 2006: The 2000th diploma in plastics engineering is again awarded to a graduate.
February 2007: The Institute of Polymer Engineering Darmstadt is founded with a view to improving performance in research and teaching. Prof. Dr. Ralph Stengler is elected as the first head of the institute.
March 2007: Merger of the Department of Plastics Technology and the Department of Mechanical Engineering to form the new Department of Mechanical Engineering and Plastics Technology. Founding Dean: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Gesenhues (K).
March 2010: Prof. Dr. Ralph Stengler becomes President of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Gesenhues is elected Director of the Institute of Polymer Engineering Darmstadt (IKD).
May 2010: Prof. Dr. Bernhard May (IKD) is elected Dean of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Plastics Technology. The degree programmes in plastics engineering and mechanical engineering are harmonized, transitions are created and joint catalogs of compulsory electives are introduced. Development of the department's integrated degree program model with integration of dual study options and strengthening of research-based learning in the Master's degree programs through IFP (Integrated Research Practice) and IFWP (Integrated Research Practice as an elective option instead of teaching modules).
February 2013: Election of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Gesenhues as Vice Dean of the department. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roger Weinlein is elected Head of the Institute of Polymer Engineering Darmstadt. The Institute of Polymer Technology now has the largest volume of third-party funding for R&D at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Strong growth in plastics engineering with almost 200 new students per year.
July 2013: The Deputy Head of the Institute, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Müller-Roosen, presents the 100th Master's certificate in plastics engineering.
March 2016: Prof. Dr. Stengler (IKD) takes up his second term in office as President of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences after being re-elected.
September 2016: Prof. Dr. Bernhard May hands over the reins of the department to Prof. Dr. Albrecht Hundhausen (also IKD) after more than six years and two permitted terms as Dean. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Gesenhues remains in office as Vice Dean. Student numbers, particularly in the Master's degree course, have settled at a high level above the design number. In total, there are around 20 employees working on scientific projects and several successful doctorates.
October 2016: The Materials and Process Engineering research cluster, which was initiated by IKD professors, is approved and funded by the state for structural research funding. Scientists from the departments of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Chemistry and Biotechnology are also involved. The cluster spokesperson is Prof. Dr. Martin Moneke. The aim is to promote research and establish a separate doctorate for the field of materials and process technology.
February 2017: 10th anniversary of the Institute of Polymer Technology (IKD)