Change is in the air. Not only in the career of Prof. Dr. Mathias Pelka, who is returning to his former training center after various jobs in business. The industry is also changing. The engineer, who holds a doctorate, remarks: “The industry is in a state of upheaval. Classic automation technology will continue to be important, but we have to take better account of new cross-sectional technologies (…)”
His scientific career started at the TH Lübeck
Mathias Pelka began his scientific education in the bachelor’s course in communications/information technology and microtechnology at what was then the University of Applied Sciences (today TH) Lübeck. He spent the last part of his studies at the Partner university Milwaukee School of Engineering in the USA.
The engineer also completed his master’s degree at the TH Lübeck Applied information technology. After graduating, Pelka continued to serve on the program committee and contributed to the further development of the teaching. “For example, I campaigned for the degree program to expand its offerings in English,” says Pelka about his commitment.
The common thread: research and teaching
As a research assistant, Pelka planned and held seminars at the TH Lübeck and supervised students with their theses. The engineer set a thematic focus, among other things, by working on numerous research projects and advising companies on the digitization of production processes in Industry 4.0.
the University of Luebeck left Pelka with a doctorate in “Analysis, Optimization and Systematic Structure of Positioning Systems” and the distinction magna cum laude. At a Hamburg company, Mathias Pelka developed algorithms for sensors that are used in the field of autonomous driving. The joy of teaching did not leave him in business either. He held seminars and training courses for new employees and also supported the coaching of various teams at his next employer in Lübeck. In terms of content, he was concerned with the automation of medical products.
Back to the TH Lübeck
From his experience in business, Mathias Pelka draws conclusions about the course content that he would like to convey at the Technical University of Lübeck as a newly appointed professor for automation technology. “(…) In the past, the design of a controller, including networking and middleware, was sufficient, but today AI, wireless sensors and 5G must be part of the training. This poses new challenges for students and companies to find exactly the solution that solves the problem. I would like to prepare the students for this,” says Mathias Pelka about his tasks at the TH Lübeck.