Dr. Harz: New CEO of Freiberg Compound Materials GmbH reveals future plans!

Dr. Harz: New CEO of Freiberg Compound Materials GmbH reveals future plans!

Dr. Michael Harz was recently welcomed as a new member of the University Council of the Technical University (TU) Bergakademie Freiberg. tu-freiberg.de reports that Dr. Harz received his doctorate in microsystems technology from the TU Dresden in 1996 and has since had an impressive career in the international semiconductor industry. His extensive experience ranges from various technical and management positions to his current role as CEO at Freiberg Compound Materials GmbH (FCM), which he has held since 2019. He previously served as COO for the company since 2011.

The University Council of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg performs an important advisory and control function, which extends to strategy formation as well as structural and development planning of the university. Professor Bernhard Cramer, Chairman of the University Council, praised Dr. Harz for his in-depth expertise in both material development and production. Cramer emphasizes that Harz can provide valuable impetus for the strategic direction of the university through its large network, especially in the areas of innovation, technology transfer and industrial cooperation.

Members of the University Council

The current members of the University Council are made up of various experts and leaders:

• Prof. Dr. Bernhard Cramer (Vorsitzender, Oberberghauptmann)
• Dr. Claudia Dommaschk (TU Bergakademie Freiberg)
• Prof. Dr. Hans Michael Eßlinger (ehem. GF Brauhaus Freiberg)
• Dr. Michael Harz (CEO Freiberg Compound Materials GmbH)
• Prof. Dr. Volker Steinbach (Vizepräsident BGR)
• Prof. Dr. Monika Mazik (TU Bergakademie Freiberg)
• Frau Julianne Schmidt (Kaufmännische Direktorin des Leibniz-Instituts für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden e. V.)
• Prof. Hans-Ferdinand Schramm (Sparkasse Mittelsachsen)
• Kerstin Schultheiß (Leipziger Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH)
• Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schwenker (Roland Berger Consulting)
• Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann (Direktor IOF und Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena)

Course offerings in microsystems technology

The Technical Faculty of the TU Freiburg offers an interdisciplinary bachelor's degree program in microsystems technology. This course of study is aimed at those with a university entrance qualification who have an affinity for electronics, electrical engineering, physics, chemistry and materials science. How tf.uni-freiburg.de emphasizes, the degree program covers a standard period of study of six semesters and leads to the award of 180 ECTS points. The language of instruction is both German and English.

The course of study includes basic content in mathematics, chemistry and physics as well as in-depth courses in electrical engineering and materials science. Application-related projects such as the system design project and internships in the clean room could lead to graduates finding attractive career fields in medical technology, the electronics and semiconductor industry, automotive engineering and aerospace engineering.

A crucial aspect of the success of this degree program is the mentoring program, which offers students support and individual advice. The high demand for skilled workers in microsystems technology demonstrates the growth potential in this area, which is also reflected in the diverse offerings that are supported by a nationwide technology transfer system in Germany. These networks, which also exist in the various federal states, promote exchange between science and business and thus promote innovative developments.

Overall, thanks to such initiatives, the TU Bergakademie Freiberg is positioning itself as an important player in the German higher education landscape, which is reflected in both academic teaching and application-oriented research.