Looking back on my master studies

In past two years I have gained more than I expected. I experienced R&D department at Volvo Group, 3 different academic environments, and lived in 2 new cultures (Dutch and Swedish). That all created 2 busy years, which I truly enjoyed!

I am 25 years old Automotive Engineer from the Czech Republic, who selected MAE as a bridge to start dream career in automotive. Back in early 2013, I made a decision for MAE programme with a first year at Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) and second year specialization in Vehicle Dynamics and Clean Driveline Systems at HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, which turned out to be the perfect choice for me.

My previous education was a bachelor programme Mechanical Engineering at CTU. Quality of technical and especially automotive related education at CTU is on a top level in the Czech Republic. MAE programme prevailed over the comparable automotive related Czech programme, mainly because of:

my desired specialization in Vehicle Dynamics at HAN (NL),
hands on experience at industrial partner (MSc. thesis)
intensive language preparation (FR, EN - technical), and
multicultural environment.

First year was devoted to general insight into automotive and intensive language courses at French Institute in Prague. This correlates with the multi-field nature of automotive industry, where wide outlook matters. Another attractive part of this programme was cooperation with other students from different countries, when working on interesting projects and sharing our leisure time outside of university. Together we created compact international group, where I found many great friends.

Second year of MAE was devoted to the specialization in Vehicle dynamics. The Netherlands is multicultural country with amazing landscape, bicycle dominated traffic, and very sincere people. Thanks to dense railway network and my 30 EUR old bicycle I was able to explore the Netherlands a bit. Visit of the famous race track, Nordschleife, by our group gives idea how we were enjoying our free-time. This is the place which each fan of motorsport should visit!

Accommodation in Arnhem (NL) was tough to get, due to very low room offer. In my personal case, it took a lot of my energy even after moving in, because of unresponsive landlord. Nevertheless, my main focus was aimed towards study programme at HAN which was well structured (detailed description available), subjects’ linked well together, and courses contained amazing projects such as driver modelling, measurements on real Toyota Prius, or essentials of system identification and its control.

Winter semester in the Netherlands was quite demanding, because I was also approaching companies in order to find industrial partner for my MSc. thesis work (4^th semester). Such a negotiation requires sufficient time reserve due to certain time delay in communication with companies. Searching for contacts, approaching HR departments, writing motivation letters, phone interviews in order to get an interesting thesis project and studying at the same time was my daily routine.

All that hard work paid off in the moment of my admission for amazing MSc. project aimed on delivery of simulation platform for evaluation of truck dynamic behaviour at Volvo Group Trucks Technology and Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg in Sweden. Cooperation with Volvo and Chalmers experts on daily basis was valuable experience, which revealed me the real power of teamwork. Gothenburg is a calm industrial harbour known for technical excellence (Volvo, SKF), fishing, and amazing rocky shore sceneries. I have found there a great landlord for a half year.

MAE is an unique programme, because it offers students to take advantage of specific aspects of education in different countries. The approach in the Netherlands and equally in Sweden is focused on practical experience and gives students opportunity to cooperate with industry. It was a perfect lesson for me. I believe that MAE programme enables students to instantly start their careers in automotive industry thanks to solid technical background, hands on experience, and ability to adapt in various environments.

16-11-2015 in Prague

Ing. Petr Kolář, MSc

Development Engineer at Porsche Engineering Services

Petr Kolář

11/25/2015