Part 6 “Esslingen - Closely Linking University and Professional Practice”Germany has numerous beacons of excellence in education and innovative models of training: the University of Esslingen’s Department of Mechatronics, for example. Here instruction and work experience are closely meshed. Companies like Bosch or Stuttgart's piston manufacturer Mahle send young employees to specialized courses of instruction. The companies work out the curricula together with the professors, aiming to meet the demands and trends of world markets.