Volkswagen announces SEA:ME program for sustainable mobility education in partnership with industry leaders

Student in the computer room: In open learning spaces, students are in constant exchange and work on the projects with the help of peer learning.
Copyright: Volkswagen AG

(IN BRIEF) Volkswagen has partnered with “42” coding schools in Wolfsburg and Berlin, Microsoft, Bosch, and Kookmin University to launch SEA:ME, the first open education course in Europe for software engineering in the automotive and mobility sectors. The curriculum includes peer-to-peer education and is focused on developing open and sustainable standards for the mobility system and the mobility transition. The course is tuition-free and is specially tailored for the automotive sector, providing in-depth knowledge in both IT and automotive technology in a practical and interdisciplinary environment to anyone with talent. The program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree or training in a relevant field, or with sufficient professional or other experience in programming, and the first students will start in Wolfsburg on July 3, 2023.

(PRESS RELEASE) WOLFSBURG, 3-Apr-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Volkswagen Group (ETR: VOW3), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and commercial vehicles, in partnership with the “42” coding schools in Wolfsburg and Berlin, Microsoft, Bosch, and Kookmin University, has launched SEA:ME, the first open education course in Europe for software engineering in the automotive and mobility sectors. The program aims to train highly qualified software specialists using modern peer learning methods and develop open, sustainable standards for the mobility system and the mobility transition, making a significant contribution to the free education movement in the automotive and mobility sector.

Dr. Max Senges, CEO of the 42 offshoot in Wolfsburg and Berlin says: “We’re delighted that Volkswagen, as an important partner and founding member of 42 Wolfsburg, is supporting us with SEA:ME. The close collaboration with our strong partners from the world of business means we can ensure that our graduates are optimally prepared for the needs of the automotive sector. In the pioneer year, the first generation of students is now coming together in Wolfsburg to obtain the proof of concept for the innovative curriculum.”

SEA:ME is a tuition-free IT study program in Europe that is specially tailored for the automotive sector, offering in-depth knowledge in both IT and automotive technology in a practical and interdisciplinary environment to anyone with talent. The course’s high level of practical relevance due to industry partnerships with companies such as Volkswagen, Volkswagen’s software subsidiary CARIAD, Microsoft, Bosch, and other partners gives students the best preparation for starting their careers in the related fields of work.

The curriculum includes peer-to-peer education, where students work independently on a curriculum of learning projects in agile teams without professors or trainers. Renowned experts from industry and science support the students in an advisory capacity as “fellows” and ensure that the projects have a high degree of practical relevance.

The 12-month curriculum is open to students with a bachelor’s degree or training in a relevant field or with sufficient professional or other experience in programming. The application phase for the first cohort of the SEA:ME program is currently underway, and the first students will start in Wolfsburg on July 3, 2023.

All the materials used in the course are open educational resources (OER) and can, therefore, be freely used by learners worldwide, reflecting Volkswagen’s commitment to promoting digital education, equal opportunities, and inclusion. Hauke Stars, the member of the Board of Management for IT, is part of the program as a “distinguished fellow” and will be supporting the students, demonstrating Volkswagen’s commitment to being an active partner in developing the education system.

Interested students can apply at https://seame.space

Media contacts

Alexandra Bakir
Corporate Communications | Head of People & HR Communications
Tel. +49 (0) 5361 / 9-971117
alexandra.bakir@volkswagen.de

Maleen Bösenberg
Corporate Communications | Spokesperson People & HR
Tel. +49 (0) 5361 / 9-42107
maleen.boesenberg@volkswagen.de

SOURCE: Volkswagen AG