International cooperation thrives on personal exchange—and on joint projects. The partnership between Hof University of Applied Sciences and the Institut Supérieur des Études Technologiques (ISET) in Kasserine, Tunisia, demonstrates just how successful this can be. As part of the Erasmus program, three final theses (Projet de Fin d’Études, PFE) were once again jointly supervised by faculty members from both universities this academic year and successfully completed.
The students tackled challenging projects in the fields of automation technology, control engineering, information technology, and industrial control systems. Among other things, this resulted in a ball-balancing system in which mechanical components, electronics, and control software were developed and integrated into a fully functional system. Other projects focused on developing a web-based user interface for a PLC application used in vehicle management and race control, as well as on optimizing a networked PLC application, significantly improving its startup behavior and robustness.
All three projects were successfully validated and, in addition to the scientific research, involved extensive practical work in the university’s laboratories. Close coordination between the advisors in Hof and Kasserine not only provided the students with intensive academic guidance but also valuable experience in international collaboration.
Working Together Across National Borders
On behalf of Hof University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Valentin Plenk, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marcel Huptych, and Jürgen Rubitzko supervised the projects. Supervision at ISET Kasserine was provided by Prof. Dhouha Mansouri, Prof. Ghassen Marouani, and Prof. Malek Khadhraoui.
“These projects demonstrate how international university collaborations create real added value for education. Our students not only benefit from diverse professional perspectives but also learn to collaborate successfully across national and cultural boundaries. In a globally connected engineering world, experiences like these are invaluable.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Valentin Plenk
A Successful Partnership with a Future
The successful completion of the joint theses underscores the potential of the Erasmus partnership between Hof University of Applied Sciences and ISET Kasserine. It combines practice-oriented engineering education with international exchange and fosters lasting connections between students and faculty at both universities. Further joint projects are planned for the future to further deepen the collaboration between the two partner universities.
