In a world where theory and practice sometimes differ, thesis projects in collaboration with companies offer a unique opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. This collaboration is not just a bridge between academia and industry, but also a catalyst for innovation and personal development.

Perchin Zakholi and Prionty Khan are pursuing their Master of Science in industrial engineering with a focus on product and process development at Mälardalens University. They choose to collaborate with Westermo to explore the implementation of predictive maintenance. By applying Industry 4.0 principles, they aim to improve the company’s maintenance strategies. Their project illustrates how students can bring fresh insights and new knowledge to established companies, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

“Westermo's commitment to innovation and openness to new opportunities impresses me. There is a positive culture here that emphasizes both growth and opportunities, something I highly value.” Says Perchin.

Anders Altzarfeldt, Production Development Engineer at Westermo and supervisor for the thesis project, emphasizes the value of having thesis students who contribute with new ideas and perspectives

“By bringing in students, we get access to the latest research-based knowledge and can stay updated in areas where we may not have as much knowledge. This contributes to our business development and promotes innovation.” says Anders.

For students like Perchin and Prionty, the thesis project offers a chance to deep dive into their areas of interest while gaining work experience. Good time management and choosing a topic that truly engages are two of their best pieces of advice for other students who are thinking about doing their thesis project in collaboration with a company.

“Writing a thesis is truly a significant and comprehensive task. My main tip is to plan your time well to manage the workload in an efficient way. Also, choose a topic that you are interested in, as motivation will be a key factor during the process.” says Perchin, and continues “And remember to have fun and enjoy the exploration and learnings that come with writing your thesis.”

Another thing to take into consideration when collaborating with a company in the thesis project is the company and its culture.

“Westermo is a company that drives development within digitalization and automation forward. The company’s ambition to reach new heights within these areas is remarkable and is shown in their focus on innovation and quality. I appreciate this kind of environment where innovation is at the forefront.” Prionty says, as she reflects on collaborating with Westermo on the thesis.

Perchin and Prionty came across Westermo during Högvarv, a fair at Mälardalens universitet.

“After learning more about the projects Westermo had to offer, we felt that it was a perfect match for our interests and skills. Therefore, we decided to apply through their website to explore the thesis opportunities closer.” says Perchin.