WCA March 2008

16 / 109

news
Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2008 14
Joachim Uhing KG GmbH & Co in
Mielkendorf is supporting the startIng!
project run by Kiel University of Applied
Sciences.
Grouped in project teams, freshman
students can gather on-site experience,
test their aptitude and get informed of
career opportunities.
For a long time, business manage-
ment students have had the privilege
of practically implementing their
theoretical knowledge.
What would be more obvious than
putting flesh on the bones of
mechanical engineering theory by
allowing an insight in the daily life of a
practical engineer?
“There is hardly any other sector that
demands such a close interaction
between theoretical background and
practical skills,” says Burkhard Bohn,
Uhing KG’s Engineering head. “This is
why we decided to support the
startIng! project.”
Kiel University of Applied Sciences
launched the project in winter 2006/07.
Some 50 freshman students, grouped
in teams of 10, may take on the role of
an engineer after only six weeks of
studies. To give them an idea of what
their future job holds in store, they
solve a problem posed by a sponsoring
company.
In the course of the project, originating
from a very successful initiative of
Darmstadt Technical University started
in 1998, the future engineers also learn
to understand why it is important to
study the theoretical background
often regarded as dry and removed
from reality.
“During project work, the students can
find out whether the subject they have
chosen appeals to them. We can assist
young students and also inform them of
their career opportunities,” added Bohn.
“Everybody is talking about the
threatening technological emergency in
Germany,” said Wolfgang Weber,
Uhing’s sales and marketing head, in
an attempt to explain the motives of
the likewise innovative and long-
established enterprise to sponsor a
group of students.
“It is relatively easy to replicate a
machine but you cannot imitate the
decades of experience that led to its
development. We are glad to offer
young students an insight into the
daily life of classical engineering. They
get first hand experience of what it
means to practically implement theore-
tical knowledge and realise how much
know-how is required for our work.”
Joachim Uhing KG GmbH & Co
– Germany
Fax: +49 4347 90640
Email:
Website:
Prices on the up
Dow Wire and Cable has increased its
prices on all its wire and cable resins,
compounds and materials sold in North
America. The $0.12 per pound increase
was effective from 1st January 2008.
Dow Wire and Cable – USA
Fax: +1 713 978 3281
Email:
Website:
Joining up with the students
The Wire & Cable Manufacturers’ Alliance (WCMA) has
announced the recipients of its 2008 Distinguished
Career Award.
The 24th annual awards dinner and investiture ceremony
will take place on 12th April in Windsor, Connecticut,
at the Hartford/Windsor Marriott Airport Hotel.
This year’s recipients are: Brian Bukovec, chief
operating officer and vice president, Radix Wire; Mike
Carbray, general manager, Amphenol/Spectra-Strip;
David Chu, materials development director, Draka USA;
Tony Dolce, CFO and director of administration, T & T
Marketing; Virginia Hauser, vice president of sales,
Phelps Dodge Sales Co; Richard Kruger, vice president
sales and marketing, Champlain Cable Corp; Guy
Marini, president and CEO, NEPTCO Inc; Fred Wagner,
founder, Minnesota Wire & Cable.
The Wire & Cable Manufacturers’ Alliance (WCMA) was
established in June 2004 as the successor organisation
to the Wire & Cable Clubs of America. WCMA is a
corporate membership organisation for manufacturers
of conductor, insulated wire, cables, fibre optic cables,
and connectivity products with an established
manufacturing base in North America, as well as
industry suppliers and service providers.
WCMA – USA Fax: +1 860 873 3281
Email: Website:
Career awards for WCMA