We offer an exchange platform for former and active employees
The FIR Alumni e. V.
Goals of the FIR-Alumni e. V.
We accompany the employees of the FIR at RWTH Aachen University on their entry into professional life - be it on their way to a doctorate or other career paths.
With over 240 members from industry and science, we are a constantly growing network of diverse players from different generations who share a common time at FIR.
Our mission: We create a lively network between active and former employees of the FIR and thus build a bridge between industry and research. Through attractive offers and events, we promote professional and personal exchange across disciplines and generations. At the same time, we support the academic and personal development of current FIR employees.
As a non-profit association, we fulfill our statutory purpose by collecting funds to make them available to the FIR. We thus support doctoral students at FIR and promote the dissemination of research results through publications, events and lectures. We also network knowledge and experience from science and practice, from which all members benefit.
Our events ensure that our members are always up to date with the latest news about the FIR and the alumni network. These include events such as the summer party, company excursions, the "Alumni Afterwork" talk, regional get-togethers ("Alumni Night Out") or digital participation in doctoral lectures.
The Alumni Association keeps the connection to the unique culture and institute life of the FIR alive - even when our members have long since made the step into industry.
The Executive Board
- Dr.-Ing. Maximilian Lukas
Chairman of the Management Board
Head of Process Management, Vaillant Group - Sarah Fritzsche
Deputy Chairwoman of the Executive Board
Deputy Head of the Communication Management Department, FIR e. V. at RWTH Aachen University - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Boos, MBA
Managing Director, FIR e. V. at RWTH Aachen University - Dr.-Ing. Tobias Harland
Member of the Executive Board
Senior Manager Industrial Practice, Industry 4.0 Maturity Center
Contactperson
Exclusive member area
Downloads relating to the Alumni Association, dates and the online contact directory "Magenta Book" can be found in the “Alumni-Forum”.
Log in with your e-mail address and a password of your choice. We will activate your account as soon as you have registered.
Feel free to join our LinkedIn group and exchange ideas with other FIR alumni association members.
For questions, please contact us at alumni(at)fir.rwth-aachen.de via e-mail.
Activities
Company excursions and alumni weekends
2023: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and alumni weekend in Düsseldorf
On October 20, 2023, we visited Dr. Michael Honné at Henkel AG in Düsseldorf. After an exciting presentation on current topics and a tour of the detergent production facility, the FIR Alumni Board presented current association projects.
The evening ended with a meal together at the Uerige in Düsseldorf's old town, where other alumni also joined in. The participants suggested that the next excursion should take place in Cologne or Bonn - ideally with a visit to Telekom.
The next day, the alumni weekend took place in Düsseldorf. Highlights of the program included a visit to the Rhine Tower, an urban art walk through the old town and a dinner together.
2022: DMG Mori and alumni weekend in Bielefeld
After a longer break, the company excursion on September 23, 2022 led to Dr. Marco Husmann at DMG Mori in Bielefeld. The presentations focused on topics such as subscription business models and software-as-a-service. A tour of the production halls rounded off the visit.
The alumni weekend in Bielefeld included a hike to Sparrenburg Castle, a visit to Dr. Oetker Welt and a relaxing end to the day in a rooftop bar.
2019: Reifenhäuser GmbH in Troisdorf
On 20 September 2019, we visited Reifenhäuser GmbH and our association member Dr. Benedikt Brenken. In addition to a company tour, the participants discussed current research and industry topics.
2018: Mainzer Stadtwerke, SCHOTT AG and wine weekend in Oestrich-Winkel
On September 28, 2018, we visited the Mainz municipal utilities with Dr. Tobias Brosze and SCHOTT AG with Dr. Heinz Kaiser. Highlights included a tour of the power-to-gas plant and the "World of SCHOTT" product exhibition.
This was followed by the first alumni weekend in Oestrich-Winkel. The weather was perfect for exploring the region and enjoying a wine tasting with regional food.
Dr. Heinz Kaiser praised the event:
"I really enjoyed Friday! I was pleased to meet my colleagues from FIR. Great bunch - we'd love to meet again!"
2017: Grünewald paper in Krefeld
On October 20, 2017, we visited the medium-sized company Grünewald Papier. Dr. Grünewald gave us a tour of the company and presented current projects. Nine active FIR employees and four alumni took part in the excursion.
Further activities of the FIR Alumni e. V.
Alumni Afterwork - "Tell Me More"
Who are the members of the FIR Alumni Association? What have they achieved so far? Our online live podcast "Alumni Afterwork - Tell Me More" answers these questions. In each edition, an association member gives an interview about their career, exciting professional experiences and current activities. The highlight: in the next episode, the interviewee answers the questions themselves!
All active FIR employees and alumni association members are cordially invited to ask questions, be inspired and round off the evening in a relaxed atmosphere.
Many thanks to our previous speakers:
- Dr. Michael Honné, Henkel Adhesive Technologies
- Julian Krenge, ParcelLab GmbH
- Dr. Christian Hoffart, DMG Mori Spare Parts GmbH
- Dr. Peter Thomassen, Covestro GmbH
- Jan-Christoph Meyer, Eat Happy Group
- Dr. Alexander Kleinert, AKonsulting SpA
- Dirk Oedekoven, SMS Group
- Dr. Tobias Brosze, Mainzer Stadtwerke AG
- Heiko Dirlenbach, FLENDER GmbH
Alumni photo wall in the FIR conservatory
Our photo wall in the FIR winter garden shows pictures of alumni association members and active employees. It is not only intended to ensure a greater presence at the FIR, but also to motivate people to remain part of this network as an association member after their time at the FIR.
Not yet on the photo wall?
Send us your consent to use your employee photo or send us a current picture by e-mail.
Alumni Night Out - The regional regulars' table
The Alumni Night Out is a regional get-together for Alumni Association members throughout Germany. Meetings with four or more participants are sponsored by the association - all you need is a photo to prove it! The regulars' tables promote personal exchange and regional networking among members. The kick-off took place in the Düsseldorf regional cluster at the beginning of 2022. Cluster list for download
The association provides a cluster list in the Alumni Forum for the formation of further regional circles.
Activities
Company excursions and alumni weekends
2023: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and alumni weekend in Düsseldorf
On October 20, 2023, we visited Dr. Michael Honné at Henkel AG in Düsseldorf. After an exciting presentation on current topics and a tour of the detergent production facility, the FIR Alumni Board presented current association projects.
The evening ended with a meal together at the Uerige in Düsseldorf's old town, where other alumni also joined in. The participants suggested that the next excursion should take place in Cologne or Bonn - ideally with a visit to Telekom.
The next day, the alumni weekend took place in Düsseldorf. Highlights of the program included a visit to the Rhine Tower, an urban art walk through the old town and a dinner together.
2022: DMG Mori and alumni weekend in Bielefeld
After a longer break, the company excursion on September 23, 2022 led to Dr. Marco Husmann at DMG Mori in Bielefeld. The presentations focused on topics such as subscription business models and software-as-a-service. A tour of the production halls rounded off the visit.
The alumni weekend in Bielefeld included a hike to Sparrenburg Castle, a visit to Dr. Oetker Welt and a relaxing end to the day in a rooftop bar.
2019: Reifenhäuser GmbH in Troisdorf
On 20 September 2019, we visited Reifenhäuser GmbH and our association member Dr. Benedikt Brenken. In addition to a company tour, the participants discussed current research and industry topics.
2018: Mainzer Stadtwerke, SCHOTT AG and wine weekend in Oestrich-Winkel
On September 28, 2018, we visited the Mainz municipal utilities with Dr. Tobias Brosze and SCHOTT AG with Dr. Heinz Kaiser. Highlights included a tour of the power-to-gas plant and the "World of SCHOTT" product exhibition.
This was followed by the first alumni weekend in Oestrich-Winkel. The weather was perfect for exploring the region and enjoying a wine tasting with regional food.
Dr. Heinz Kaiser praised the event:
"I really enjoyed Friday! I was pleased to meet my colleagues from FIR. Great bunch - we'd love to meet again!"
2017: Grünewald paper in Krefeld
On October 20, 2017, we visited the medium-sized company Grünewald Papier. Dr. Grünewald gave us a tour of the company and presented current projects. Nine active FIR employees and four alumni took part in the excursion.
Further activities of the FIR Alumni e. V.
Alumni Afterwork - "Tell Me More"
Who are the members of the FIR Alumni Association? What have they achieved so far? Our online live podcast "Alumni Afterwork - Tell Me More" answers these questions. In each edition, an association member gives an interview about their career, exciting professional experiences and current activities. The highlight: in the next episode, the interviewee answers the questions themselves!
All active FIR employees and alumni association members are cordially invited to ask questions, be inspired and round off the evening in a relaxed atmosphere.
Many thanks to our previous speakers:
- Dr. Michael Honné, Henkel Adhesive Technologies
- Julian Krenge, ParcelLab GmbH
- Dr. Christian Hoffart, DMG Mori Spare Parts GmbH
- Dr. Peter Thomassen, Covestro GmbH
- Jan-Christoph Meyer, Eat Happy Group
- Dr. Alexander Kleinert, AKonsulting SpA
- Dirk Oedekoven, SMS Group
- Dr. Tobias Brosze, Mainzer Stadtwerke AG
- Heiko Dirlenbach, FLENDER GmbH
Alumni photo wall in the FIR conservatory
Our photo wall in the FIR winter garden shows pictures of alumni association members and active employees. It is not only intended to ensure a greater presence at the FIR, but also to motivate people to remain part of this network as an association member after their time at the FIR.
Not yet on the photo wall?
Send us your consent to use your employee photo or send us a current picture by e-mail.
Alumni Night Out - The regional regulars' table
The Alumni Night Out is a regional get-together for Alumni Association members throughout Germany. Meetings with four or more participants are sponsored by the association - all you need is a photo to prove it! The regulars' tables promote personal exchange and regional networking among members. The kick-off took place in the Düsseldorf regional cluster at the beginning of 2022. Cluster list for download
The association provides a cluster list in the Alumni Forum for the formation of further regional circles.
Publication reference
60 Years of the Research Institute for Rationalization - A Review
Fritz von Below, Birgit Kreitz
Edited by: Günther Schuh, Volker Stich
We would like to thank Dr. Fritz von Below and Birgit Kreitz for the extensive research, the conceptual design and the linguistic and graphic layout of this book. Some highlights of the last 60 years of the FIR are included here for remembering and reliving; a very nice work has been created.
If anyone has not received a book by mistake, please feel free to contact alumni(at)fir.rwth-aachen.de.
