News-Detail

Achim Dombert is one of the first graduates of the part-time master's degree program in Geographic Information Systems. In this interview, the Saxony-Anhalt state chairman of the Association of German Surveying Engineers (VDV) and administrator at the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Surveying and Geoinformation talks about his motivation for studying and his subsequent successes.

Mr. Dombert, how did you become interested in studying part-time?
I'm no stranger to lifelong learning. Back in 2004, I decided to leave the "traditional" path of surveying in favor of geoinformation. One reason for this was that I saw and continue to see this as the future of my profession. I am fascinated by the technical possibilities that were unthinkable at the beginning of my career.

How did you end up at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences?
I had been looking for and taking advantage of further training opportunities for a long time. I took advantage of all the opportunities offered by my job as well as external ones. I was delighted to learn about your new offer through an article in our association magazine: Geographic Information Systems as an online course with the aim of becoming a Master of Engineering. It gave me the opportunity to complete a degree in my field alongside my job.

What changes did this bring about in your life?
Looking back, I can say that I was able to maintain my standard of living during my studies. I am still at the administrator level with my public employer. However, new career prospects have opened up. I was transferred to the Geodata Infrastructure department while I was still studying. I now work at the State Office for Surveying and Geoinformation in the training department. Together with others, I am responsible for training geomatics technicians, among other things.

That sounds like a lot more responsibility that you've been given. Is there anything else you are particularly proud of?
In my professional association, the VDV, where I was already active as regional chairman and editor of the association magazine, I was in charge of the IT and GeoTrends section for a long time during my studies. Now I've been editor-in-chief of VDVmagazin for over a year. Looking back, I don't think either of these things would have happened without my studies.

More information:
www.hs-anhalt.de/fgs