The megatrend of digitalization is also affecting the fashion industry. The Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) is developing a new, interdisciplinary specialization for Master's degree programmes in Textile Electronics in order to keep pace with the development and demands of the industry. It has received funding of around 300,000 euros from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The new specialization combines the most important skills from the Faculties of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as well as Textile and Clothing Technology. The aim is to train specialists in the field of smart textiles for the industry of the future and prepare them for the hurdles of the industry.

To this end, students are not only taught knowledge from the two core competencies, but also focus on digital competence and soft skills. The core aim of the new advanced course is to train skilled and flexible specialists in an industry that is constantly evolving.

Possible overarching modules include Smart Textiles, Applied Nanotechnology and Functionalization of Technical Textiles.

"As experts with transdisciplinary training, graduates provide new impetus in the fields of electrical engineering, smart health, textiles and clothing. They drive and implement new innovations in the fields of Internet-of-Things, smart advanced sensor technology and wearable electronics," say Dr. Anne Schwarz-Pfeiffer, Professor of Functional Textiles at the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology and Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Nannen, representative of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The specialization is being developed as part of the Curriculum 4.0 NRW funding guideline. It is to be integrated into the curriculum in the winter semester 2023.