"We want to inspire young people to come to Nordhausen and Maximator Hydrogen is predestined to motivate young people not only to study at our university, but also to find a job in our region thanks to its innovative field of activity," emphasised District Administrator Matthias Jendricke during his visit to the new company premises in Nordhausen. Jendricke spoke in favour of close networking with local companies during the course of study, possibly in the form of a dual study programme. Prof Dr Viktor Wesselak, Vice President for Research and Development at the local university, agreed: "We are currently working conceptually on setting up a dual study programme - for companies here on site. The lecture content will be shortened to enable students to work in a company, where the practical part of their studies will be covered first and foremost," says Prof Viktor Wesselak. The capacity of study places in the engineering faculty in particular is not being fully utilised, and study programmes such as regenerative energy technology and mechanical engineering are of particular interest to Maximator Hydrogen. "A particularly large number of "district children" are studying for a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering - so young people are staying here and, unlike in the past, are studying closer to home," reported Prof. Wesselak, adding that this is also a great opportunity for local companies to retain students as future skilled workers.

Alexandra Rieger, who once came to Nordhausen as a student herself, worked in the city administration during her studies and is now Mayor of Nordhausen Town Hall, spoke in favour of close links between the university and the economy. "Nordhausen should not just be a "transit point" for students, but the centre of their lives," said Alexandra Rieger. To achieve this, it is important that students "arrive" here beyond the university. That is why the city offers all first-year students the opportunity to become a member of a sports club free of charge. "We know that this is a good way to settle into the region and make contacts," said Rieger.

The Managing Director of Maximator Hydrogen, Mathias Kurras, saw a further promising approach in seeking contact with school pupils in order to inspire them to study mechanical engineering. "We can contribute our contacts in the industry and want to help create a beacon around our hydrogen activities in the north of Thuringia," said Mathias Kurras. His company now offers lectures at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences itself and already employs four dual students who are still studying in Eisenach. "We would like to seek cooperation with Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences," says Kurras.

Maximator Hydrogen was only founded in January as an independent limited company of its sister company Maximator; the new production hall was put into operation last year and the neighbouring office building will be completed at the end of the year. The Nordhausen-based company has already established itself internationally as a leading supplier and developer of core components for hydrogen technologies. Highly specialised employees at the headquarters in Nordhausen are important for this, as the company holds around 700 patents in the hydrogen sector. Hydrogen now has around 160 employees and wants to continue to grow. The company, the city and district of Nordhausen and the university want to maintain regular dialogue in order to attract the skilled workers needed.