On 25 June, around 30 participants from 13 university locations came together in Saarbrücken for the DGM Nachwuchsforum 2025. The event was hosted by the Fraunhofer IZFP and supported by experienced DGM members who helped shape the program.

After an open welcome session, the first workshop block began. The communicative formats encouraged exchange, and the initial hesitation quickly gave way to lively conversations – not just because of the warm temperatures. Two MatWerk alumni from Saarbrücken then shared their experiences with founding companies, offering both technical and personal insights into their career paths and the challenges they encountered. In the evening, the discussions continued over dinner in the city center, and the new DGM Materials Quartet was tried out by participants.

The second day started with an open discussion workshop. In four themed groups – Entering the MatWerk Degree, Building Networks during Studies, Paths into Academia, and Paths into Industry – participants exchanged personal experiences and reflected on where further support would be helpful. The outcomes fed directly into a follow-up discussion with experienced MatWerk members from the DGM-Newcomer and Young Scientists Committee. They spoke about their own journeys, the coincidences that influenced them, and the lessons they would pass on – candidly, constructively, and with a focus on what they might do differently or exactly the same today.

After lunch, the next workshop block covered the topics of combining simulation and experiment for parameter identification, structuring data, and applying artificial intelligence. This was followed by a panel discussion that revisited the morning’s topic of career paths and professional experiences. Five experts shared their perspectives and career insights from different fields. In the subsequent Meet the Experts session, they were joined by eight additional professionals to answer participants’ questions in small-group discussions. The exchange was intensive – and, from many participants’ point of view, could have gone on even longer.

The evening offered an opportunity to talk with EUSMAT alumni, who shared their experiences with international study programs. The following day, joint excursions with the alumni took participants to Fresenius Medical Care, Purem by Eberspächer, or Dillinger. These company visits provided practical insights into potential future working environments for MatWerk graduates.

As the event came to a close, contact details were exchanged – with a clear sense of wanting to stay connected. Sincere thanks go to Fraunhofer IZFP for their hospitality, to the ME Saar Foundation for their support, and to all members of the DGM Newcomer and Young Scientists Committee for making this event possible.