FH Journal 01 in English

English Version

N째01-2014

April 2014 www.fh-joanneum.at

FH JOANNEUM IN A NEW OUTFIT FH JOANNEUM presents its strategy for the future

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NEW FH JOANNEUM JOURNAL F

H JOANNEUM has had a new image, and now the FH JOANNEUM magazine is following suit with a fresh design. With a new name, new format and new layout, we will be updating you, dear readers, on projects, events and highlights at the institution, as well as looking back over the past academic year.

The first issue of the FH JOURNAL introduces our new strategy for the future, and the new “United Colours of FH JOANNEUM”. We also present our six new departments and examine the research projects they are currently working on: we join the Department of Engineering on the slopes of the Planai with Snowbird, their electric snowmobile, glimpse into the future of urban planning with the Department of Building, Energy & Society, and visit the new Health and Sensory Research Lab with the Department of Health Studies.

—EDITORIAL

TABLE OF CONTENT 04 Outlook: FH JOANNEUM’s strategy for the future 09 Premiere for Snowbird 11 The Ökotopia Model 13 New Health and Sensory Research Lab 15 Monitoring Global Entrepreneurship 17 Design Concepts 19 Networking into the Future

Together with the Department of Management, we gauge business activity in Austria, allow ourselves to be guided through the future of vehicle entertainment by the Department of Media & Design, and rediscover the networking of people and systems with the Department of Applied Computer Sciences. We hope you enjoy reading this first issue of FH JOURNAL – which is also available online at www.fh-joanneum.at/ fhjournal_ 01.

IMPRINT: Media owner, editor and publisher: FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH, Alte Poststrasse 147, 8020 Graz, AUSTRIA, Tel.: +43 (0)316 5453-0, Fax: ext. 8801, e-mail: info@fh-joanneum.at, www. fh-joanneum.at • Responsible for content: o. Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Karl P. Pfeiffer, Dr. Günter Riegler • Editorial team: Mag. Kathrin Podbrecnik, Mag. (FH) Cornelia Schuss, Dr. Johanna Theurl, Mag. Werner Schandor • Photos: Jasmin Schuller, Klaus Morgenstern, Werner Krug, Klaus Pressberger, Alois Lipp, Foto Fischer, WKO, CIS, Industrial Design programme, Information Design programme • Design and layout: Manfred Terler • Proofing: Mag. Kathrin Podbrecnik, Mag. (FH) Cornelia Schuss, Tina Stadler • Translation: Translation Center by Prohammer • Printed by: Dorrong

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—SNAPSHOTS

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STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

They have been prominently displayed as part of the new FH JOANNEUM corporate design: FH JOANNEUM students and teachers are now the face of the six new departments, representing them with their own personal success stories.

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he FH JOANNEUM campaign shines the spotlight on students and teachers, representing the six departments with their own personal stories: Anna Lena Aufschnaiter, Jennifer Krejza and Christine Kogler stand for the Department of Health Studies; Katrin Nussmayr, Tim Hinderhofer, Doris Ulrich and Heinz Wassermann are testimonials for the Department of Media & Design; Victoria Binder, Michael Außerdorfer and Sylvia Hojnik represent the Department of Building, Energy & Society. Anita Beichler, Nadine Killmeyer and Harald Burgsteiner are the testimonials for the Department of Applied Computer Sciences; Sophie Baumhakel, Mario Pecinovsky and Bernd Messnarz represent the Department of Engineering, and Gabriele Tommasi, Vanessa Mbambo and James Miller represent the Department of Management.

But that’s not all: they will be present at trade fairs, Open Days, course guidance and on Facebook, and together they symbolise diversity at FH JOANNEUM.

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—COVERSTORY

FH JOANNEUM PRESENTS ITS STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE Rector Karl Peter Pfeiffer and Managing Director Günter Riegler presented FH JOANNEUM’s strategy for the future.

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igh levels of demand for graduates in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) coinciding with years of low birth rates, the expansion of the universities of applied sciences sector, and the restructuring into a bachelor and master system with its far-reaching impact - these are the challenges to be met

by FH JOANNEUM’s new future strategy.

In addition to promoting the quality and excellence of teaching, FH JOANNEUM’s future strategy consists of expanding its significant competencies in research and development, the greater use of synergies, further development of career models for employees, and a new corporate design.

Six new departments – “FH JOANNEUM reloaded” In order to benefit from synergies, to identify core areas in research & development, share existing infrastructure and promote interdisciplinarity, the 40+ degree programmes run

by FH JOANNEUM have been reorganised into six departments

(Applied Computer Sciences, Engineering, Health Studies, Building, Energy & Society, Media & Design, Management) and 25 institutes. The career models for FH JOANNEUM employees were also further developed as part of the future strategy.

New corporate design The third cornerstone of the strategy for the future was to enhance FH JOANNEUM’s corporate design. The design, visual image and logo have been modernised, and a campaign has literally put FH JOANNEUM students in the spotlight; using the peer concept, students and teachers are used to represent the six departments, giving each of the FH JOANNEUM core strengths its own face. They attend fairs, are present at Open Days, help in course guidance and on Facebook, and offer their own personal success stories to demonstrate diversity in practice at FH JOANNEUM.

Rector Karl Peter Pfeiffer and Commercial Director Günter Riegler with students from the six departments.

FH JOU RNAL | APRIL 2014

—COVERSTORY

“We want to be even more attractive as employers in the highly contested market for experts, as well as welcoming professionals with scientific qualifications from other fields to the institution.”

Günter Riegler Commercial Director of FH JOANNEUM

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“We have to ask ourselves which competencies and qualifications will business, industry and society be demanding from university graduates in the next five to ten years. Above all, we focus on excellent teaching.”

Karl Peter Pfeiffer Rector of FH JOANNEUM

New corporate design at fairs and events FH JOANNEUM’s new corporate design is also reflected in a new trade fair booth, on display for the first time at the BeST Job, Training and Information fairs in Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt. The booth design was the brainchild of two students on the master degree programme in Exhibition Design.

FH JOANNEUM presented itself at the Job, Training and Information fairs with its new booth, designed by the two Exhibition Design students, Gerda Koch and Siegrid Rückl, as part of their master thesis. At the centre of the booth is a “brain”, constructed using the new composite material splineTEX, and representing the networked and interdisciplinary nature of the degree programmes at FH JOANNEUM.

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—TEACHING

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—TEACHING

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Teaching first: New FH JOANNEUM PR campaign focuses on excellent teaching The new FH JOANNEUM PR campaign has been putting the spotlight on teaching quality as one of the pillars of the university’s success. Both lecturers and students from the six departments at FH JOANNEUM are featured in the campaign. In order to highlight the importance attached to excellent teaching at FH JOANNEUM, highly committed lecturers who have received FH JOANNEUM Teaching Awards were chosen to participate in the new PR campaign. The “Oscars” for FH JOANNEUM lecturers are presented annually in recognition of the best didactic concepts.

Bernd Messnarz, Institute of Aviation: “For me as a lecturer it is important to be able to see things from a student perspective and react accordingly.”

James Miller, Institute of Health and Tourism Management: “Successful teaching has less to do with imparting knowledge and more to do with empowerment. The overriding goal needs to be that students learn to work and think independently, in interdisciplinary ways and in an integrated manner.”

Christine Kogler, Institute of Biomedical Science: “On the degree programme students can make mistakes and learn from them in a protected environment. I try to encourage them to try things out as much as they can in the integrated lectures.”

Sylvia Hojnik, Institute of Social Work & Social Management: “Successful teaching means achieving a balance between challenge and support.

It’s achieved if I as a lecturer am successful in capturing the interest of my students with the goals and content of a lecture.”

Harald Burgsteiner, Institute of eHealth: “As a lecturer you need to show real dedication and having a sense of humour is good too. Fair and transparent assessment is also important. I really enjoy developing new lectures and exploring the content with the students.”

Doris Ulrich, Institute of Design & Communication: “As a lecturer I aim to motivate my students and spark their curiosity, enthusiasm, ambition and interest. The subject matter needs to be practice-relevant and optimised to meet the relevant needs.”

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SNOWBIRD

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—ENGINEERING

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—ENGINEERING

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PREMIERE FOR „SNOWBIRD“ Snowbird, the first central European all-electric snowmobile has been developed by Energie Steiermark and FH JOANNEUM in collaboration with the Economy Ministry of the Styrian Regional Government and cable car company Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen.

Snowbird was presented during the World Ski Championships in Schladming.

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nowbird is a joint project of five FH JOANNEUM institutes: Production Technology and Organisation, Aviation, Automotive Engineering, Electronic Engineering, and Industrial Design. The prototype, which was developed for Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen, not only contributed to resource-efficient and sustainable World Ski Championships in Schladming but is also helping to pave the way for gentle tourism. E-mobility is particularly important in sensitive tourism resorts like Schladming: Snowbird is a quiet, zero-emission snowmobile and offers a high degree of safety due to its operation at lower speeds.

Zero emissions and low noise Energie Steiermark and Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen both benefit from the results of the development work, which are set to have an impact on the future of e-mobility in tourism resorts like Schladming. The electric snowmobile offers the opportunity to develop and test all aspects required for specific mobility services in a defined area, such as vehicle design,

Successful maiden flight for civilian research drone The latest developments in the field of civilian drones in Austria were presented at Graz airport by FH JOANNEUM and partners. One of the highlights was the maiden flight of the JXP-V research drone developed by the Aviation Institute.

Civilian drones must be integrated into existing air space and therefore must also comply with all relevant existing provisions.

“Safety and security is the top priority here”, said Bruno Wiesler, then Head of the Aviation Institute. “We see ourselves as an information hub and a driver of innovation for industry”.

A wide range of drones was presented at the press conference.

A special highlight was the maiden flight of the research drone JXP-V (JOANNEUM Experimental Platform). “JXP-V is the most advanced member of a whole drone family we’re working on at the moment”, said Wiesler. The aim is to develop a Class 2 drone system below 150 kg, which can fly outside the visual range of the pilot on the ground.

charging stations, battery replacement stations or operation costs. Johannes Haas, Head of the Production Technology and Organisation programme explains the advantages of the snowmobile: “The electric motor produces no local emissions and enables substantial noise reductions. The Snowbird features high torque and excellent climbing ability under heavy load conditions over short distances and operating periods, and thus perfectly meets the requirements of mountain rescue services in sensitive areas.”

Preparing for serial production The snowmobile has attracted great international interest from industry and other universities and will therefore be developed further in preparation for serial production. An e-mobile challenge, similar to the international Formula Student, is planned in 2015, which should attract students from all over Europe.

AT&S Scholarships for Excellence go to Electronics students AT&S and FH JOANNEUM signed a cooperation agreement aimed at fostering young engineers in the future-oriented area of electronics. The first three scholarships were awarded.

In awarding the scholarships to the most talented students in the field of electronics, Leoben-based PCB manufacturer AT&S aims to actively support young engineers and highlight the high demand for graduates in the sector. The three Electronics students Thomas Costreie, Arnold Neckermann and Jakob Topf from the 2011 year group were the first students to receive their scholarships from AT&S CTO Heinz Moitzi. The scholarship consists not only of financial support of 1,000 euros each, but also offers the students the opportunity to complete their internships at AT&S.

“The strength of our Department lies in the interdisciplinary cooperation. This allows us to solve complex research problems.”

Kurt Steiner, Head of Department of Engineering

“I became interested in my current programme from the very first time I heard of it, simply because food is a subject we all deal with every day. ” Sophie Baumhakel, Student on the Sustainable Food Management bachelor degree programme

Students unveil new racing car joanneum racing graz, the FH JOANNEUM racing team, presented its new racing car. The racer will be competing in the Formula Student this summer against student teams from around the world.

The tenth racing car to emerge from the joanneum racing graz workshop is a single-seater and was developed and constructed from scratch by young FH JOANNEUM engineers. “We’ve been working on this project since September. It’s just an incredible feeling to see the finished racer standing on its own wheels on stage”, said graduate Stephan Rienmüller. The new racing car features a range of technological innovations – for the first time in the team’s history the car boasts front wings, rear wings and a diffusor.

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—BUILDING, ENERGY & SOCIETY

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—BUILDING, ENERGY & SOCIETY

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FH JOANNEUM PRESENTS THE ‘Ökotopia Model’ Most future-oriented urban planning models tend to be limited to aspects related to construction, transport planning and energy supply, with a focus on the sustainable use of resources and smart technology. Ökotopia, a research project of the Department of Building, Energy & Society at FH JOANNEUM goes one step further.

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he approach taken in the Ökotopia project takes into consideration not only urban development, ecological and technical aspects of future cities but also social aspects of urban cohesion”, said Bernhard Plé from the Institute of Social Work & Social Management at the symposium “Urban Research - Between Vision and Planning Practice”. The symposium, where the project team presented their research results, addressed a wide range of issues from the perspectives of architecture and urban planning, sociology, energy, transport and environmental management. Topics discussed included, for example, “urban density”, the level of satisfaction among the inhabitants of Graz regarding their quality of life and the effects of an extension to the tramline network on the supply and traffic situation in a residential area.

Model”. “The criteria are entered into an evaluation system which not only provides an overall picture of the sustainability of a city district or municipality, but also enables individual evaluations to be carried out at various levels,” explained Martin Schloffer from the Institute of Energy, Transport and Environmental Management.

“This makes it possible to focus solely on social and urban planning aspects, for example,” added Alexandra WürzStalder from Architecture and Construction. “This allows us to demonstrate how living environments can be improved in terms of environmental sustainability and quality of life. The ‘Ökotopia Model’ can also be used to compile overall evaluations across urban districts or cities, creating the basis for urban planning decisions.”

Catalogue of criteria for planners The symposium also considered how results from the research project can be transferred into the daily practice of urban planning. The dominant theme of the symposium was the drawing up of a catalogue of criteria, based on past findings, to facilitate targeted planning – one could call it the “Ökotopia

“Climate change poses new challenges to the structure of future cities – from construction quality and energy supply, to transport planning and social cohesion.”

Michael Bobik, Head of Department of Building, Energy & Society

“I see my future in the field of waste management, perhaps abroad, as a project manager.”

Michael Außerdorfer, Student on the Energy and Transport Management master degree programme

Interactive building design system for prefabricated houses

Social Work student on voluntary assignment in Alaska

The Institutes of Architecture & Management and Design & Communication at FH JOANNEUM Graz have developed an interactive visualisation system for building design and simulation as part of a research project with the Styrian company Haslerhaus.

Since 2005, the Social Work degree programme has cooperated with the American organisation “Hope”, which works for and with people with disabilities in Alaska.

Carolin Gosch took the opportunity to work on a voluntary basis for the non-profit organisation.

The project team, led by Andreas Behmel from the Institute of Design & Communication and Wolfgang Höhl from the Institute of Architecture & Management, concentrates on the development of a computerised presentation system for building design and simulation. The Mixed Reality Architectural Workspace system was developed together with Haslerhaus, a manufacturer of prefabricated houses, and aims at simplifying the process of building design. An intuitive, haptic user interface allows the user to ‘walk’ through the plan of a single-family house.

Navigation is via control markers directly on the layout plan without using a mouse.

Carolin Gosch was about to graduate from the master degree programme in Social Work at FH JOANNEUM when she decided to take on a very special challenge: a four-month voluntary assignment with the non-profit organisation “Hope” in Alaska.

“I was motivated by a desire to get to know different ways of life and ways of working as well as to improve my language skills”, explains Gosch, who worked at the Discovery Center in Anchorage on the Gulf of Alaska. “This is a type of day centre for children, teenagers and adults, designed to encourage their integration and inclusion in society,” explains Gosch. This voluntary assignment was an enriching experience for her. “I returned to Austria freshly motivated, with new ideas and an enormous wealth of experience.”

International award for talking city model of Berlin Together with the TU Berlin, the Institute of Energy, Transport and Environmental Management at FH JOANNEUM Kapfenberg developed a talking model which makes the German capital accessible for the visually impaired.

Commissioned by Berlin’s Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment, the TU Berlin developed a 4m x 1.5m model of the centre of Germany’s capital last year.

However, they had to seek long and hard for a partner who could help this model “speak”. The idea was finally realised by the Institute of Energy, Transport and Environmental Management: during three weeks of intensive programming, the project team, led by Martijn Kiers and Oliver Gößler, turned the city model into an information centre for the visually impaired.

Berlin’s talking tactile model received the International Design for All Foundation Award at the international Design Biennial in Saint-Étienne, France, winning first place in the category “Government and Public Bodies”.

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— H E A LT H S T U D I E S

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— H E A LT H S T U D I E S

New health and sensory research lab opened at FH JOANNEUM In 2014, FH JOANNEUM Graz opened a state-of-the-art sensory research lab for health issues. The new Health Perception Lab forms the core of a 5-year project worth 1.2 million euros funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).

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“We want to train confident graduates for all professional fields – from patient care through to research and development.”

Elisabeth Pail, Head of Department of Health Studies

he new Health Perception Lab is an interdisciplinary project run by the Institute of Dietetics and Nutrition at FH JOANNEUM. In collaboration with additional seven degree programmes (Biomedical Science, Midwifery, Health Management in Tourism, Occupational Therapy, Sustainable Food Management, Communication, Media, Sound and Interaction Design and Information Management) the laboratory will provide a scientific basis for obesity prevention and treatment. Health-related sensory research is combined with methods such as perception and consumer research, including eye tracking. “The focus of the lab is on the development and validation of methodological approaches for implementing sensory investigations with particular relevance to preventing and treating obesity. The combination of health and technical expertise plays a key role here,” say project managers Bianca Neuhold and Susanne Maunz.

Kristina Edlinger-Ploder, former Styrian Regional Minister for Science & Research, Health and Healthcare Management: “With a research rate of 4.7%, Styria plays a leading role both in Austria and in Europe as a whole. Projects like the Health Perception Lab are a good example of the progress made as a result of the Styrian research strategy. The comprehensive collaboration involved in such projects will be a key factor in Styria retaining this leading role in the future”.

International Speech and Language Therapy Conference

New: MBA in Health Care and Hospital Management

Internship in Cambodia for Physiotherapy students

In ccoperation with the Medical University of Graz, the FH JOANNEUM presents its new postgraduate master course in Health Care and Hospital Management. The MBA programme targets (future) executives in the healthcare sector.

Alexander Knoll and Jana Konvalinová are studying Physiotherapy at FH JOANNEUM. They took off to Cambodia to complete a 6 week internship in a children’s hospital.

At the annual “Speech and Language Therapy Intensive Programme”, which was organised by the Institute of Logopedics at FH JOANNEUM Graz, representatives from 18 universities came together to discuss current issues in speech therapy.

134 logopedics students and lecturers travelled from as far afield as Finland, Taiwan, Greece, Ireland, Sweden, Germany and Belgium to attend the “Speech Language Therapy Intensive Program” held for the first time in Austria at FH JOANNEUM Graz.

The goals of the intensive programme are the international alignment of the curricula for speech therapy courses, the global networking of students and the communication of new research results. FH JOANNEUM joined the Intensive Program in 2007 and is the only Austrian university among the 18 partner universities.

Inspiration and stimulus One of the many highlights of the conference was the topic “Cultural and Linguistic Diversity” moderated by Li-Rong Lilly Cheng, Professor at San Diego State University. Cheng is a member of the International Association for Logopedics and Phoniatrics and was chair of the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association.

Finding out about research in other countries Angelika Rother, Head of the Logopedics Institute at FH JOANNEUM, is convinced: “Students should become acquainted with research in other countries even while still studying. This leads to professional, international contacts and friendships, which remain even after the intensive programme has finished.“

“FH JOANNEUM offers a good combination of theory and practice which is particularly important to me!”

Jennifer Krejza, Student on the Dietetics and Nutrition bachelor degree programme

Our healthcare system is facing major challenges that are the consequence of national and international economic conditions and demographic change. There is a growing need for structures and financing models able to meet these challenges. The newly designed postgraduate course in Health Care and Hospital Management aims to meet these challenges by means of its interdisciplinary format, the involvement of experts and the use of modern teaching and study methods for business and economics. The part-time, 5-semester programme is especially designed for managers and health professionals, as well as stakeholders from across the entire healthcare system, including public institutions at federal, regional and local level, professional associations, insurance companies and industry.

All information: www.medunigraz.at/mba

This year, as last, two students on the bachelor degree programme in Physiotherapy at FH JOANNEUM took the opportunity to complete an internship with a difference: Alexander Knoll and Jana Konvalinová spent 6 weeks at the Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. The two students were chosen from amongst their fellow students after an internal selection process and received financial support for their travel expenses from the rector’s office at FH JOANNEUM. “After the positive experiences of the past year and feedback from the hospital, we are very keen to make this internship available again. Therefore we’d also like to thank the rector’s office for supporting the students,” says Beate Salchinger, Head of the Physiotherapy degree programme. The students also brought toys, skipping ropes and other therapeutic materials, purchased with funds from the programme’s charitable activities.

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—MANAGEMENT

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—MANAGEMENT

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GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP MONITOR: strong entrepreneurial activity in Austria The FH JOANNEUM Institute of International Management, with the support of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, was responsible for assessing entrepreneurial activity in Austria for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2012.

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n the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the world’s largest study of entrepreneurship, Austria performs very well in international comparison and took a very satisfactory 5th place behind the USA, Singapore, the Netherlands and Slovakia in the group of 24 innovation-based industrialised countries. Austria has a young entrepreneur rate of 9.6%, ranking it 5th place among the 22 EU countries participating in the study. This is a strong increase compared to the previous study of 2007, where Austria came in last place with a young entrepreneur rate of only 2.4%.

Thomas Schmalzer: “Reducing bureaucracy and tax burden” As the Austrian partner to the consortium of leading international universities, numbering 69 to date, the International Management Institute at FH JOANNEUM is part of a top-class knowledge network. According to Thomas Schmalzer, lecturer at the Institute and author of the GEM report for Austria, “Despite Austria’s positive international ranking, the detailed results identify several areas in which we need to act. There

is a clear decline in the number of companies active in niche markets, and the proportion of companies using the latest technologies has fallen. Specific measures need to be taken to support companies by reducing the burden of taxes and charges for companies and by cutting bureaucracy. This would enhance the innovativeness of national businesses and secure the longterm competitiveness of Austria’s economy.”

The GEM also clearly revealed the need to improve business education across all educational institutes, particularly in schools, in a targeted manner. Doris Kiendl-Wendner, Head of the Institute of International Management, took part in the panel discussion accompanying the presentation of the GEM report, and highlighted the study’s importance: “Decision-makers need studies and research results such as the GEM in order to encourage entrepreneurship.”

“With industrial management, finance, international management and health management we represent the key areas of value creation in Styria.”

Martin Tschandl, Head of Department of Management

“The high proportion of practical work is positive – we gain experience from presentations, case studies and individual scientific work.”

Vanessa Mbambo, Student on the Business in Emerging Markets master degree programme

Harvard guest professor at Institute of Industrial Management Gerald Steiner, a guest professor at top American university Harvard for the past two years, is now also lecturing on the International Industrial Management programme at FH JOANNEUM in Kapfenberg.

Gerald Steiner has worked at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at America’s Harvard University, where he initially held a Schumpeter professorship and is now a guest professor. His research focuses on the question of how innovations and problem-solving processes can contribute to managing crises in an international context. He is also a university professor at the Institute for Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research (ISIS) at the University of Graz. Steiner’s research field includes the design and management of innovation and creativity, with a special focus on competence building. On the International Industrial Management master degree programme Steiner is teaching a course on Sustainable Development, Innovation and Risk Management together with university professor Alfred Posch.

“Students internationally competitive” In his course Steiner focuses on the creative and critical examination of real problems, supported by case studies. This allows students to work on real, innovative business projects of relevance to the region during the course.

EU project on financial education in schools The Institute of Banking and Insurance Industry at FH JOANNEUM is working together with partners from Germany, Belgium and Latvia in an EU project to integrate basic financial education into the existing curricula of academic secondary schools.

At the kick-off meeting in Graz, Roland Mestel, Head of the Institute of Banking and Insurance Industry said: “One outcome of the latest financial and economic crises has been to clearly bring home how economic, and above all fiscal, issues need to be part of a general education. Many of the developments which emerged in the financial markets over the past years can be explained by the fact that many people bought and distributed financial products whose function and economic significance they did not understand sufficiently.” For this reason, the goal of European project partners FH Kaiserslautern, the BA School of Business and Finance, KH Leuven and FH JOANNEUM is to integrate financial subject matter into the existing curricula of academic secondary schools. The COMENIUS project will run until the end of 2014.

New MBA: International Hospitality and Spa Management FH JOANNEUM Bad Gleichenberg presents a new parttime MBA course in International Hospitality and Spa Management. This degree programme has been codeveloped by hotel and spa managers from Europe and Asia.

The course is designed for people working as managers in the hospitality industry, spa business or health tourism or planning to do so in the future. The international master degree programme is taught in English and structured on a flexible, modular basis. It is delivered in part-time mode and provides extensive e-learning support, which allows students to apply what they have learned directly in their professional practice.

“There are many degree programmes in the field of tourism, but our special focus is on the practical requirements at the interface between hotel and spa management. Market and employee-oriented management is of great importance to us in this context”, says course head Eva Adamer-König.

Information at: www.fh-joanneum.at/hsm

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—MEDIA & DESIGN

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1 BeoClip, developed by Lucas Eyl, is a portable, active loudspeaker, integrated into a vehicle’s interior. Permanent data streaming makes it possible to enjoy optimal sound quality in the car, at home and outdoors.

2 Hans Steen’s BeoVersio transfers the experience of a Bang & Olufsen sound system to a BMW interior. Acoustic materials and transforming surfaces set the stage for the sound system.

3 Max Gutbier designed the intelligent Inoid ski helmet with microphone, voice command and head-up display all integrated into the visor.

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4 Thomas Vanicek’s interior design Muse draws on the form of a shell, transforming the entire vehicle interior into a “concert room” with the aid of Bang & Olufsen acoustic technology.

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INDUSTRIAL DESIGN SHOW

“Together with our students and graduates we aim to further enhance the significance of design, media and communication.“

In 2013, students on the Industrial Design bachelor and master degree programmes presented their work in the field of product and transportation design at the Kunsthaus Graz. A special focus was placed on designs created in cooperation with Bang & Olufsen.

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Heinz M. Fischer, Head of Department of Media & Design

“The lecturers constantly provide us students with new food for thought and new perspectives.”

aking “Magical Experiences – Automotive Entertainment” as their theme, students on the Industrial Design master degree programme designed entertainment system products for vehicles on behalf of the Danish company Bang & Olufsen. The project was managed by Bang & Olufsen expert Philipp Siebourg. The goal was to create a product or a sensory perception that reflects the spirit of the company’s brand identity. Important parameters included automotive entertainment, the world of the customer, the concept behind the Bang & Olufsen brand and the material nature of the products. The students were free to choose their own focus from among these parameters.

The designs were on display at the Industrial Design Show 2013 at the Kunsthaus Graz designforum. Other works presented at the Design Show were developed in cooperation with BMW, VW, Philips, Kärcher, and ÖBB Austrian Railways. Georg Wagner, interim head of the Industrial Design Institute, said at the opening of the exhibition, “Our students are very motivated because the project partners offer them the opportunity to implement their own ideas in a particular product.” Regional Minister Christian Buchmann referred to the “students’ new and innovative approach to the real challenges of the future.”

Graz Design Month

FH JOANNEUM at the re:publica in Berlin

New: master course in Public Communication

At the beginning of May 2013, FH JOANNEUM had a strong presence in Berlin. At the re:publica, the largest Germanspeaking conference on internet development and digital society, three presentations were given by staff from the Web Literacy Lab at FH JOANNEUM.

The FH JOANNEUM Department of Media & Design presents a part-time postgraduate master course in Public Communication. The 4-semester programme is aimed at professionals looking for needs-based, in-depth continuing education and academic training in their communications jobs.

Nagoya Design meets Graz: This was the theme under which students on the Exhibition Design and the Communication, Media and Interaction Design master programmes presented special finds from the Japanese design and industrial city of Nagoya.

The exhibition, held during the Graz Design Month, reflected the impressions gained by the students on their visit to Nagoya and during exchanges with Japanese students. Head of the programme Karl Stocker ran a workshop in Nagoya with students at the university in Nagoya, which served as the basis for their joint project. The exhibition itself was designed by the students Katja Kraiss and Anja Schwendenwein.

The Design Month was also the setting for several design lectures at FH JOANNEUM, with international guest speakers, including, for example, Christoph Frank, co-owner of the communications agency Platoon, Ulrich Fuchs, who spoke on Marseille as the European Capital of Culture, and Ulli Koller, with a report on the Urban Planet pavilion at the Expo in Shanghai.

The re:publica was attended by over 5,000 participants and featured numerous workshops and discussions, popular international speakers and up-to-the-minute topics related to the internet, policy, technology and the online community. The conference, held annually since its launch in 2007, aims to attract representatives from both science and industry. The Graz Web Literacy Lab, which is part of the Institute of Journalism and Public Relations at FH JOANNEUM, played once again an active role. Heinz Wittenbrink, Julian Ausserhofer and Brigitte Alice Radl gave presentations on various topics, illustrating the broad range of the research work undertaken and highlighting its cross-border significance.

Competence centre for businesses and organisations The three FH JOANNEUM employees constitute the Web Literacy Lab (WLL), a research project at the Institute of Journalism and Public Relations that examines web competency and its transfer to organisations. Established in 2010, the WLL has been active in organising events, carrying out projects and building networks and has thus succeeded in establishing itself as an academic competence centre for web communication.

Tim Hinderhofer, Student on the Industrial Design bachelor degree programme

The internationalisation of business communication, the need to reach out to extremely varied target groups with each communication and to ensure the effectiveness of each message: the challenges for today’s communications professionals are significant. In the new master programme, students deepen their specialist knowledge through academic study and exchanges with international experts. This makes them well equipped to successfully meet the increased demands for communicative exchanges in a complex social environment, and qualifies them to rise within the profession.

Lecturers on the programme include industry specialists, such as news anchorman Gerald Gross, the well-known sociologist Manfred Prisching, Brussels correspondent Johannes Kübeck and PRVA president Ingrid Vogl. Study is flexible, with blocks of mandatory attendance, e-learning and supervised self-learning phases.

Successful students finish the Public Communication course with a Master of Arts in Social Sciences after 4 semesters.

More information at: www.fh-joanneum.at/com

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FH JO URNA L | A P R I L 2 0 14

—APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCES

Te x t : C O R N E L I A S C H U S S , K AT H R I N P O D B R E C N I K P h o t o s : F H J OA N N E U M , J A S M I N S C H U L L E R

FH JOU RNAL | APRIL 2014

—APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCES

NETWORKING INTO THE FUTURE Networked at all levels: the Department of Applied Computer Sciences at FH JOANNEUM trains IT experts who combine technological know-how with business skills - while always keeping the focus on the user.

E

ven while still studying, students at the Department of Applied Computer Sciences are actively developing IT products and systems, and cooperating with companies in business and industry or with institutions, for example in the healthcare sector. The bachelor degree programmes in eHealth, Information Management, Internet Technology and Software Design provide the foundations for future careers in the world of IT. Further specialisation is possible with master degree programmes in Advanced Security Engineering, eHealth, Information Management and IT Law & Management.

Christina Breitfuß, for example, finished her bachelor in Information Management before deciding to specialise further with a master in eHealth. She explains, “I am fascinated by the way in which our Department combines diverse fields – from IT and business, to IT and medicine.”

support older people in enjoying a healthier lifestyle. The Information Management programme, working together with Occupational Therapy and with the support of Ravensburger, has set up a project which provides occupational therapists with electronic pens (ePens) for providing dementia patients with targeted therapy.

In demand in business Irrespective of choice of programme, the career opportunities for graduates are excellent: graduates of the Department of Applied Computer Sciences are in great demand in the business world. Many IT students receive job offers while still at university; such as Isabella Pichler who studied at the Department of Applied Computer Sciences and is now Senior Product Marketing Manager at telecommunications provider A1. She advises young people “not to be frightened of technical content!”

This forward-looking combination of various disciplines is also the focus of many of the research projects run by the Department of Applied Computer Sciences. For example, in applied aging research, the eHealth degree programme is working on the DIAFIT project, developing a digital nutrition assistant integrated into the kitchen as an intelligent terminal which helps

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“Computers are extremely important in modern society, and their importance will continue to grow. It is as vital to know how this technology works as it is to understand how it can be applied.”

Robert Mischak, Head of Department of Applied Computer Sciences

“Many of the lecturers are highly motivated and teach very well! Our teachers are always available to answer any queries or clarify matters.”

Nadine Killmeyer, Student on the Information Management bachelor degree programme

“Lucky” start for new IT students

Bridging the “digital divide” in South-East Europe

Directing emergency services by smartphone

The programmes run by the Department of Applied Computer Sciences produce IT experts who are in great demand in business and industry and who can look forward to excellent career prospects. This year again, students starting their studies have the chance to win a tablet or notebook.

The Internet Technology programme at FH JOANNEUM Kapfenberg is participating in the EU project “PPP4Broadband“ together with twelve partners from nine countries. The aim of the project is to develop public-private partnership (PPP) models for implementing broadband Internet infrastructure in rural areas in South-East Europe.

A smartphone app for Red Cross staff developed by two students at FH JOANNEUM Kapfenberg extends the communication channels for emergencies.

All students starting their bachelor at the Department of Applied Computer Sciences in the autumn of 2013 were entered into a draw, giving them the chance to win a tablet or notebook and easing their start into student life. The devices were sponsored by the Styrian IT service provider Infonova, a company that also offers excellent career prospects for IT graduates; Melanie Knittelfelder, graduate of the Information Management programme at FH JOANNEUM, is now a Senior System Engineer at Infonova. Knittelfelder regards the combination of technology and business as the ideal foundation for her career in the IT sector.

Numerous regions in South-East Europe, especially rural areas, currently have substantial gaps in broadband Internet access.

The PPP4Broadband project was launched to meet the objectives of the “Digital Agenda for Europe” initiative, which is part of the “Europe 2020” strategy. The project involving 13 international partners from Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia and Austria is funded under the “South-East Europe Programme” of the European Union. The aim of the project is to bring full broadband coverage to the rural areas of South-East Europe. The Internet Technology programme of FH JOANNEUM Kapfenberg is the only Austrian partner in the project.

At the start of the 2012/2013 academic year, 15 students in technical and IT programmes celebrated a great start to their studies, winning five Apple iPads, five Lenovo ThinkPads and five Samsung Galaxy smartphones in the draw sponsored

by NTS Netzwerk Telekom Service AG, CANCOM and CANON AUSTRIA

The project partners will develop public-private partnership (PPP) models designed to bridge the broadband gap while also reducing the need for public investment in infrastructure for full broadband coverage. This approach has already produced positive results in the UK.

In the event of serious accidents and emergencies, alarms go out not only to ambulances and emergency doctors, but also to local GPs and “first responders”, who are trained in first aid by the Red Cross and keep basic emergency equipment on hand at home. These measures are designed to ensure that first responders are able to get to the scene of an emergency as quickly as possible. However, these alarms go out by SMS or telephone, a process which is complicated and time consuming.

“This gave us the idea of also making data about the location, type of emergency and details of victims available to the first responders in a suitable form,” explain Hans Gaulhofer and Robert Hammer from the IT Law & Management master degree programme at FH JOANNEUM Kapfenberg. During their master thesis they developed a prototype which transfers the data to a smartphone. The system has been integrated into the regional control centre in cooperation with the Red Cross. The software is currently undergoing its test phase.

English Version

N째01-2014

FH JOURNAL April 2014 www.fh-joanneum.at/fhjournal_01