Student Exchange Signed between UA, German Institution

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Students at The University of Alabama will have the opportunity to study and train at a German research school as part of an exchange program.

The memorandum of understanding recently signed between the Graduate School Materials Science in Mainz, and UA’s Center for Materials for Information Technology, known as the MINT Center, allows the exchange of students as well as faculty and staff members. It also includes the promotion of joint research activities.

For student exchange, the MINT Center offers a summer internship program, giving international graduate students the opportunity to participate in materials research projects during the summer months. Students will work on a specific research project in close collaboration with faculty, post doctorates and other graduate students.

Seminars, lunches and other social events will enable students to broaden their knowledge and socialize with their interdisciplinary collaborators at the MINT center.

Founded in 1990, the MINT Center is a multidisciplinary research program focusing on new materials for advanced data storage. A major emphasis is on materials for spintronics, permanent magnets and nano-composite materials for energy generation/storage. More than 30 faculty from seven academic programs including chemical engineering, chemistry, electrical engineering, materials science, mathematics, metallurgical and materials engineering and physics work together to provide students with a broad training in materials performed in a team environment.

Research carried out in cooperation with industrial partners prepares students for exciting careers in a rapidly expanding field. Basic science, supported by strong materials preparation and characterization facilities, focuses on future opportunities for materials breakthroughs. Promising results transfer to industry partners through collaborative research programs.

MAINZ is an international doctoral program that focuses on graduate training through excellence in research. MAINZ provides a comprehensive graduate program combining two elements: training through research and training for life.

MAINZ offers a full doctorate program including a fast-track option; a guest doctorate program for international doctoral students; and a student internship program for international students studying for a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science. MAINZ is funded by the German Research Foundation in the framework of the Excellence Initiative.

Students from UA will be hosted by MAINZ either in the “Guest PhD Program” or in the “Student Internship Program.”