VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies
The VDE Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik und Informationstechnik (VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies) comprising 36,000 members (thereof 1,300 companies, 8,000 students, 6,000 young professionals) and 1,600 employees is one of the largest technical and scientific Associations in Europe. VDE combines science, standardization and product testing. under one roof. VDE fields of activity are the transfer of technical knowledge, the promotion of research and young professionals in the key technologies of electrical engineering, electronics and information technology and their applications. Security in electrical engineering, the development of recognized rules of technology as the national and international standards, testing and certification of equipment and systems are further focal points of the association's work. The VDE mark, which 67 percent of the German population is familiar with is regarded as a synonym for the highest security standards.
VDE's fields of technology comprise: information technology, energy technology, Medical technology, microelectronics, micro technology and automation. The current focus topics are Smart Grid, E-Mobility, Smart Home and Medical Technology, IT Security, Smart City and Industry 4.0.
VDE is one of the founding members of ASIIN. The ASIIN has over the years gained expertise in engineering courses of study. A particular concern of the VDE is the quality of engineering study courses and the protection of the professional title "engineer". The professional title engineer may be used by graduates of engineering courses at German universities on the basis of the current engineering laws of the federal states. It is therefore the responsibility of the universities to determine what distinguishes male and female engineers by designing the corresponding courses of study and examinations. The degree programmes in turn are peer group based among others accredited by the ASIIN and checked for their quality.. This system is successful and has proven itself to a high degree in Germany.