The inaugural class of the Dual Study program took place today (23/7), in the auditorium of the Faculties Don Bosco (AEDB), in Resende. The project is being brought to Brazil by the Rio de Janeiro Brazil-Germany Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Rio), through the Duale Hochschule Latinoamérica (DHLA) network. This is a method created in Germany where higher level learning is divided between college classes and practical business experience from the beginning of the course, with student remuneration. The lecture was given at 2 pm by Antonio Roberto Cortes (photo), who took over the presidency of AHK Rio this year and is the president and CEO of Volkswagen Trucks and Buses.

In partnership with Volkswagen Trucks and Buses, Dom Boscov Colleges implement the project in a pioneering way in the country. In addition, other companies in the region have already partnered with the project, such as Agvap, TV Rio Sul (Globo affiliate), Seb Group, Guardian, Saint Gobain, Maxion, Multi Terminals, BMB and Dom Bosco itself. The first course to be contemplated by the Dual system will be the Administration course. Partner companies will offer internships to students from the first year of the course. In addition to the guaranteed practical part, students have the benefit of not paying for the course and also being paid since graduation.

According to a DHLA survey, 87% of graduates of this teaching model are employed. In addition, after graduation 80% of students are hired by the organization that trained them - half in leadership positions. This allows new graduates the security of a place in the job market and companies to retain their own talents.

Success rates made the model an export from Germany. In Latin America, the system is already deployed in 23 university campuses in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Mexico. All follow the teaching model of Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), pioneers in Germany since 1970. Companies such as VWCO, Audi and Bosch, IBM and HP have already opened the door to this teaching model around the world.

According to Roberto Cortes, the dual training system brings benefits to everyone involved: students, universities and companies. “For students, this type of training allows a connection with the professional world from the beginning of their studies; for universities it represents a platform for attracting more students and for establishing international cooperation alliances; For companies, the main thing is to “design” professionals who specifically fit their needs, ”says AHK Rio's president.