“I remain confident in the German automotive sector” - Azerbaijani engineer at Robert Bosch GmbH

[ad_1] Development Information Company presents an interview with Amir Ali Sardari (Iravani), a well-known Azerbaijani residing in Germany, a consultant of the Iravan Khan dynasty, ethnographer and historian, Senior knowledgeable, engineering undertaking supervisor at Robert Bosch, the world's largest automotive provider:

What introduced you to Germany?

My determination to come back to Germany in 2003 was pushed by each skilled ambition and a deep private need for development. At that point, I used to be already a skilled electrical engineer with a number of years of expertise, however I felt a robust urge to advance my data and problem myself in a brand new atmosphere. Germany, with its globally acknowledged engineering schooling and its fame as a hub for cutting-edge know-how and industrial innovation, was the pure selection. I used to be 28 years outdated once I arrived—filled with vitality, curiosity, and a imaginative and prescient for my future. My main aim was to proceed my schooling in electrical engineering at a better educational stage and acquire insights that will not solely improve my technical abilities but additionally broaden my perspective by means of publicity to a unique educational and industrial tradition.

How do you bear in mind your years of learning in Germany?

Trying again, my years as a pupil in Germany had been among the most formative of my life. They had been marked by laborious work, private development, and a deep sense of independence. I enrolled in a technical college and accomplished my Diplom-Ingenieur diploma in 2008. In contrast to lots of my friends, I didn't have any monetary or institutional help throughout my research—I financed my complete schooling alone. This was not at all times straightforward, however it taught me resilience, self-discipline, and the way to prioritize my targets beneath stress. I typically labored part-time jobs alongside my research, and each problem I confronted made me stronger and extra self-reliant. These years additionally gave me a deeper appreciation for the German schooling system, which, whereas rigorous, supplied a stable basis for a profitable profession.

Inform us about your skilled journey and profession in Germany. The German automotive {industry} has at all times been an thrilling and superior area. What steps did you are taking to enter and achieve this sector?

After graduating, I initially thought of pursuing a PhD, as educational analysis had at all times me. Nevertheless, I shortly realized that my ardour leaned extra towards real-world utility and innovation inside {industry} slightly than staying within the educational realm. The German automotive {industry}, recognized for its excessive requirements, world affect, and dynamic atmosphere, was particularly interesting to me.

I joined an organization within the automotive sector shortly after finishing my diploma, and I’ve been with the identical group ever since. Through the years, I’ve labored in a variety of roles and initiatives, step by step constructing each technical experience and management expertise. My journey has taken me by means of areas such as embedded techniques, techniques engineering, product growth, and now strategic undertaking administration. I at the moment function a technical specialist and undertaking supervisor for a cross-industry initiative coordinated by the German Affiliation of the Automotive Trade (VDA). It’s a task that requires not solely technical depth but additionally the power to coordinate throughout corporations and drive collaborative innovation on an industry-wide scale. I consider my success stems from a mixture of persistence, adaptability, and a steady need to be taught and evolve.

Who supported you throughout your schooling and later in your profession?

One of many defining points of my journey is that I've walked this path largely alone. I obtained no monetary help, scholarships, or mentorship throughout my schooling. Each step—from relocating to Germany, studying the language, navigating the schooling system, to discovering my place in a extremely aggressive {industry}—was the results of my very own initiative and willpower. Whereas this made the journey harder at instances, it additionally instilled in me a robust sense of independence and confidence. I’m happy with having constructed every part from the bottom up, and I consider that overcoming these early challenges helped form the skilled and particular person I'm at this time.

You might be recognized to help younger engineers as effectively. One instance is your participation in conferences similar to MathWorks 2023. How does it really feel to share your data and expertise? Are you planning to change into a lecturer? How do you see the following era on this area?

Contributing to the skilled growth of the following era is one thing I really worth. I repeatedly take part in conferences and technical occasions the place I've the chance to share my experience and insights, particularly in areas like Software program / {Hardware} techniques engineering, software-in-the-loop (SiL), and {industry} requirements. I've been actively concerned in conferences, which had been wonderful platforms to interact with younger professionals and educational researchers alike.

Prior to now, I obtained invites to show at educational establishments however because of the calls for of my skilled position and a very busy schedule, I needed to respectfully decline. In the mean time, I don’t plan to pursue a proper educating place, however I stay open to mentoring and visitor talking alternatives after they align with my area and schedule.

What are your ideas on the present and future state of the German automotive {industry}?

The way forward for the automotive {industry} is undoubtedly advanced and filled with uncertainty. We're experiencing a interval of profound transformation pushed by technological innovation, altering buyer expectations, regulatory shifts, and the worldwide push towards electrification and sustainability. On the identical time, growth prices are rising, and competitors from different areas—notably Asia and North America—is intensifying.

That stated, I stay assured within the German automotive sector. It has an extended historical past of resilience and innovation and has regularly reinvented itself in response to disruptive change. The present shift towards software-defined automobiles, digital ecosystems, and decarbonization presents monumental challenges, but additionally great alternatives. I consider Germany will proceed to play a main position in shaping the way forward for mobility, and I'm proud to contribute to this ongoing transformation.

Ethnography and historical past are amongst your hobbies. We all know that you're researching the historical past of the Khanate of Iravan. Isn’t it tough to pursue this analysis from Germany, given the distance?

Certainly, one among my deepest private passions is the exploration and documentation of the historical past of my ancestors, particularly the heritage of the Khanate of Iravan and the broader area of Western Azerbaijan. That is greater than a pastime for me—it’s a significant mission to protect and share a wealthy cultural historical past that's typically ignored or misunderstood.

Regardless of residing in Germany, I keep an lively worldwide community of historians, students, and researchers who collaborate with me on these matters. I regularly journey to Azerbaijan to take part in educational occasions, conferences, and historic website visits. Moreover, the digital age has made it potential to conduct a substantial amount of analysis on-line, attend digital conferences, and trade concepts with friends world wide immediately. Distance is now not a limitation when you've gotten the ardour and instruments to attach globally.

Through the years, my efforts on this area have resulted in a variety of beneficial findings, which I proceed to share with each educational circles and the broader public.

Sardar Palace in Iravan, early twentieth century

Do your pals in Germany learn about your aristocratic background? In that case, how do they reply?

A few of my shut buddies are conscious of my historic background and the aristocratic lineage of my household. Their response is normally one among curiosity and respect, and I deeply respect the encouragement I obtain from them relating to my historic work. Nevertheless, I don’t brazenly share this a part of my identification with everybody—not as a result of I need to disguise it, however as a result of I need to keep away from any misunderstanding or the impression that I’m searching for consideration or particular remedy.

I consider in humility and substance, and I let my actions communicate for themselves. That stated, I do contemplate it vital to lift consciousness, particularly in terms of cultural and historic heritage. This yr, I used to be elected to the board of the German-Azerbaijani Alliance in Germany. On this position, I'll actively arrange and take part in public occasions and conferences geared toward informing worldwide audiences in regards to the cultural and historic heritage of Western Azerbaijan.

Moreover, I'm an honorary member of the West Azerbaijan Neighborhood and can repeatedly contribute to initiatives that promote our historic rights and identification. It's my perception that heritage and historical past will not be solely in regards to the previous—they're additionally instruments for constructing mutual understanding and making a extra knowledgeable and respectful future.