Debrecen4U June 23, 2025

WATCH programme closed its fourth season

A smart bike, a touch-activated light table and several special illusions – a total of 14 projects were created in the WATCH workshop this year, which were presented by the students on Saturday, as per tradition, during a closing event. A new era will start next year in the joint career orientation programme of Agora and Emerson I NI.

“For us, adults, it is a very important task to give the growing young generation the opportunity to develop their talents and realise their dreams, as they are the future. The WATCH programme is now considered a true model project in this regard,” Deputy Mayor of Debrecen, István Puskás emphasised at the opening of the event.

Directing Manager of NI Hungary Kft., Róbert Hosszu highlighted that as a strategic partner, they are proud that WATCH programme has now grown into one of the most significant career guidance programmes in Eastern Hungary. He added that there are thousands of unfilled engineering positions in Hungary today, and from this perspective, it is also important to embrace and support talented young people in technical fields.

At the opening, CEO of Agora, Béla Somogyi pointed out that engineering thinking is about finding the best solutions. During the WATCH programme, secondary school students can also learn this project-based approach. More than 200 high school girls have joined the unique initiative called WATCH since 2021. During the foundation training sessions, young people were able to acquire future-proof theoretical and practical knowledge that they could use during the preparation of project work. Among other things, the students could get acquainted with the world of smart devices and programming, 3D modeling and printing, but they could also build their electrical engineering knowledge. During various accompanying events, they could join a self-knowledge and career choice training, and meet successful engineers, so they could get answers to their questions first-hand.

This year, employees of Sensirion Hungary Kft. and Diehl Aviation Hungary Kft. participated in the implementation of the project work presented on Saturday. Under the guidance of Sensirion volunteers, a smart terrarium was made, the Diehl team put together a smart bin, and with the help of NI mentors, the participants created a smart mirror, among other things. At the closing event of this year’s programme, the WATCH+ programme was introduced in a separate section, within the framework of which former “WATCH girls” could also further deepen their knowledge. They were able to take part in factory visits and inspiring discussions, gain useful experience in further education with the involvement of experts from the University of Debrecen, and create new project works. Among these, those interested could see sound-sensitive party glasses, a pulsating heart made with 3D printing, and an acoustic levitator powered by ultrasonic sensors.

According to plans, those interested can also see the interactive structures implemented in the WATCH career orientation programme at the Campus Festival in July, and at the Researchers’ Night and the Science Fair in the fall. At the event, Directing Manager of NI Hungary Kft., Róbert Hosszu announced that due to the great interest, the WATCH programme will be opened to secondary school boys from 2026.

The objectives of the initiative remain unchanged, the most important commitment of the program remains to make STEM fields attractive to young people through the solution of real-life engineering tasks, while participants can also experience the benefits and joy of teamwork. Emerson I NI has supported the two career guidance programmes with a total of USD 280,000  US dollars since 2021.

Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu