CESAER Task Force Human Resources: Vice Rector Steiger takes over as chairperson
The Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research (CESAER) is an association of 54 scientific and technical universities in Europe. In total, more than 1.1 million students are educated and more than 95,000 staff are employed. Almost all member universities are listed in THE World University Ranking. In addition to the exchange of experiences, the discourse on international strategic topics is also promoted in the task forces on various topics in order to exercise the weighty influence on the European Commission and to set corresponding impulses. The CESAER Board of Directors has appointed Vice Rector Anna Steiger as the new chairperson of the Task Forces “Human Resources” as of January 1, 2021. The increase of international competitiveness through a deepening of the activities in the renowned CESAER network is also stated in the current development plan of the TU Wien. So it is only logical that TU Wien received the coveted logo “HR Excellence in Research Award” in addition to the certification for excellent HR work in September 2020. However, Vice Rector Steiger’s leadership of the HR Task Force is by no means the only action point of TU Wien in the association. The promotion of research data management in universities, joint campaigns such as steAAm it! (Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, Arts and Mathematics), the CESAER workshop “Career development of support and administrative staff” 2019 at TUW and much more are an expression of the active membership of TU Wien.
Article: CESAER Task Force Human Resources
Katrin Zorn is the TUW Women’s Laureate 2021
Since 2015, TU Wien has been honoring outstanding female graduates and thus bringing role models for the next generation of female technicians before the curtain. The 6th TUW Women’s Award went to Dr. Katrin Zorn from Upper Austria. After completing her secondary education in Wels, she went on to study chemistry at the TU Wien, where she earned her diploma and then her doctorate. From 2007 to 2010, Zorn also worked here as a university assistant at the Institute of Materials Chemistry. She then joined Miba Coating Group as a development engineer. She quickly took on various management functions such as Head of Development at TechCenter Austria, Head of R&D for the entire Miba Coating Group, Head of the Technology Competence Center at Miba Bearing and Coating Group, all the way to her current position: Since February 1, Katrin Zorn has been responsible for the development of future products outside the current business areas of the entire Miba Bearing Division as “Development Manager Future Products”. The job thus consists of laying the technological foundation for future applications: the focus will be on applications in the field of renewable energies. A common thread running through Katrin Zorn’s career: an international orientation. Even during her studies, she completed numerous research stays across Europe, was responsible for international teams as Miba’s development manager and, among other things, was involved in setting up the production site in China hands-on on site.” In addition, Katrin Zorn was also named FEMtech Expert of the Month in March. The FEMtech initiative of the Ministry of Climate Protection promotes women in research and technology and advocates for equal opportunities. Due to the pandemic, the award ceremony for the sixth TU Women’s Prize was held on a small scale. In compliance with the applicable safety regulations, the prize winner was nevertheless honored in a dignified manner. TUW Rector Sabine Seidler presented the prize sculpture to Katrin Zorn. In his laudatory speech, Marko Mihovilovic, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Chemistry, praised the award winner not only as a “successful leader of an internationally active technology competence center”, but also emphasized the “great commitment in the field of sustainable technologies and ‘Future Products’ as a vision for the future”. The award winner was selected by a top-class jury from politics and business – Marion Gebhart (Head of MA 57), Martina Denich-Kobula (National Chairwoman “Frau in der Wirtschaft” WKW), Melanie Eckl-Kerber (Deputy Head of Education & Society, Women, Federation of Austrian Industry), Gerald Goger (Executive President TU Wien alumni club), Anna Steiger (Vice Rector Human Resources and Gender, TU Wien). The prize sculpture was designed by Helene Schauer, architecture student at TU Wien. In 2021, the sculpture was made in the model-making workshop of the Institute of Art and Design by workshop manager Walter Fritz from a piece of bog oak – i.e. wood that had been preserved in a bog for a long time. Classic woodworking machines were used, and precision lasers were used for the inscription. The age of the bog oak was determined by Johannes Sterba and Monika Bolka at the Vienna Environmental Accelerator (VERA) using the C14 method. The result: an incredible 7,600 years.
Article: Katrin Zorn is the TUW Women’s Laureate 2021
Secretaries’ congress, professionals at work
66 colleagues from faculties and central departments attended the TUW Secretaries’ Congress on February 17 under the motto “Innovative and Creative”. As usual, the congress was held close to Valentine’s Day and Corona could not change this tradition. As a small support, goodie bags were sent to all participants in advance, containing all kinds of useful and strengthening items. In her welcome speech, Vice Rector Anna Steiger emphasized the valuable contribution secretaries had made in the past year, which had been so special, and that they will continue to play a central role in the coming months. Highlights of the day were workshops by internal and external experts such as Graphic Recording, Lego Serious Play or the RTI Workshop. The fact that the colorful program with all its activities inspired and touched the participants can best be seen from the feedback of one participant: “Today’s event was a wonderful change from the gray everyday life that we currently have to experience. It’s great that some color was brought into our working lives”. The wonder.me platform was used for the final networking and exchange. The next congress will take place on 16.02.2022.
Article: Secretaries’ congress, professionals at work
Personnel development: E-learning program day
Almost exactly one year after the start of the pandemic and a shift of the PE program into the virtual space, the first “E-Learning in the PE Program” day was held on March 17 with a focus on the many offers that enable time and location independent learning for TU Wien employees. During this event, employees were able to get an impression of the areas in which e-learning is offered and how it works. In addition to internal experts, external cooperation partners also had their say and there was plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Corona and Homeschooling”: An exchange session for parents”
Twelve months with home office, homeschooling and home childcare can lead to a “home nervous breakdown”. This situation has taken a lot out of many parents. While one works in the home office oneself, one has to keep the children busy in a meaningful way on the side. If you have school-age children, there is an additional challenge: school at home. With the demand to work effectively and to teach the child at the same time, it is easy to become overwhelmed – on all sides. Family conflicts are inevitable. In an exchange round on March 23, interested parties were able to exchange ideas with an expert, address difficulties and look for ways to counteract a renewed lockdown and best master this situation.
Article: Corona and Homeschooling
TU ALL INCLUSIVE Network
On May 31, 2021, the hybrid launch event “TU ALL INCLUSIVE Network” took place. Getting all young people excited about technology and science was the motto of the first TU All Inclusive Network meeting. Vice Rector Anna Steiger invited deans of all faculties to a discussion in the conference room TUtheSky. The event was hybrid in nature, on site were Vice Rector Steiger and the two presenters Lara Lammer and Iva Brezinova as well as TUW deans who participated in a panel discussion. Interested colleagues attended via Zoom. More than 70 participants followed the network launch online. Every day, many valued colleagues do dedicated outreach work to get young people excited about science and technology. In the future, technology will play an increasingly important role. Therefore, more people from all population groups should be brought on board in order to be able to actively and inclusively help shape the future shaped by technology. Based on the idea to inspire more people for technology and to make the entry into STEM subjects even more attractive for interested people, committed colleagues have decided to found a TU internal network. It should help to better coordinate the TUW’s outreach initiatives for young people. It also offers the opportunity to learn from each other and to use the resulting synergies.
After a brief welcome by Vice Rector and host Anna Steiger, Senior Scientist Lara Lammer from the Complex Dynamical Systems research area explained why there is a great need for young people in the field of science and technology and what benefits this could have for individuals and society. Many young people are predisposed to a university career, while others have little to do with science and research. Children go through the world playfully and with a lot of imagination. When children are exposed to science and research in schools and their interest in the field can be awakened, they look up to researchers like stars. They develop a passion for the subjects of science and research and are thus more inclined to pursue a university career as young adults.
Iva Brezinova, professor at the Institute of Theoretical Physics, dedicated her presentation to the topic of how TUW can get more young people excited about technology and science and attract them to the university. She cited numerous positive examples such as the hands-on lab in chemistry or the information diary. Brezinova emphasized how important it is to support students in their entry to TU Wien, as otherwise many would soon drop out of their studies.
In the panel discussion that followed, the deans Gertrude Kappel (Computer Science), Marko Mihovilovic (Technical Chemistry), Wolfgang Wagner (Mathematics and Geoinformation), Joachim Burgdörfer (Physics) and Christian Bauer (Mechanical Engineering and Management Sciences) discussed measures that could lead to getting more young people interested in technology and science and attracting them to TU Wien. One idea was to further expand accompanying measures in the study entry phase, such as the already offered alignment courses in mathematics and physics. These measures have shown that they contribute significantly to retaining students. A joint open day for all faculties was also considered. When and whether this would be organized on site or online remained to be seen. The higher reach of young people from other federal states spoke in favor of an online implementation.
After a brief welcome by Vice Rector and host Anna Steiger, Senior Scientist Lara Lammer from the Complex Dynamical Systems research area explained why there is a great need for young people in the field of science and technology and what benefits this could have for individuals and society. Many young people are predisposed to a university career, while others have little to do with science and research. Children go through the world playfully and with a lot of imagination. When children are exposed to science and research in schools and their interest in the field can be awakened, they look up to researchers as if they were stars. They develop a passion for the subjects of science and research and are thus more inclined to pursue a university career as young adults.
Iva Brezinova, professor at the Institute of Theoretical Physics, dedicated her presentation to the topic of how TUW can get more young people excited about technology and science and attract them to the university. She cited numerous positive examples such as the hands-on lab in chemistry or the information diary. Brezinova emphasized how important it is to support students in their entry to TU Wien, as otherwise many would soon drop out of their studies.
In the panel discussion that followed, the deans Gertrude Kappel (Computer Science), Marko Mihovilovic (Technical Chemistry), Wolfgang Wagner (Mathematics and Geoinformation), Joachim Burgdörfer (Physics) and Christian Bauer (Mechanical Engineering and Management Sciences) discussed measures that could lead to getting more young people interested in technology and science and attracting them to TU Wien. One idea was to further expand accompanying measures in the study entry phase, such as the already offered alignment courses in mathematics and physics. These measures have shown that they contribute significantly to retaining students. A joint open day for all faculties was also considered. When and whether this would be organized on site or online remained to be seen. The higher reach of young people from other federal states spoke in favor of an online implementation.
Article: TU ALL INCLUSIVE Network
New Online Seminar Series EDI.Lab (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion)
This online seminar series of CESAER, a European society of scientific and technical universities, offers various seminars and online trainings for exchange and further education. EDI.Lab (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) deals with the topics of equality, diversity and inclusion. All TUW employees are invited to participate in the online seminars (in English).
Vice Rector Anna Steiger introduced the newly developed seminar series during the welcome address. At the first event on May 11, Brigitte Ratzer, head of the Gender Competence Department, gave a presentation on the topic of “Women’s Quotas at Universities of Science and Technology.”
Article: New Online Seminar Series EDI.Lab
Ideas for the future from creative children’s minds: the Monster Friends painting competition
600 submissions from elementary school children with inventions to improve our world were submitted to the jury, which included TUW Rector Sabine Seidler and Vice Rector Anna Steiger. “Sensibili forte Permanent” is a very special spray that we would also like to spray our country with. The idea for it came from Helena, who convinced the jury of the Monster Friends idea contest with it and was chosen as the winner. Helena about her fantasy: “The spray “Sensibili Forte Permanent” is a great compassion spray. Only 1-2 presses per land and the material spreads everywhere. All people who inhale it become empathetic and will understand the problems of the world.” Addressing a sustainable future, both in research and at the level of vision, is of particular concern to Rector Sabine Seidler. Therefore, the TU Wien was immediately on board when it came to supporting this project, both in the jury and with exciting prizes. Helena, the proud winner, was able to receive her main prize from Vice Rector Anna Steiger and Michael Wagenthaler (the Monster Friends inventor) at her elementary school Marianum De la Salle on June 30, 2021: One donated by TU Kids and one Monster Friends goodie bag with TUW merchandising items. The children Joel (2nd place) and Klara (3rd place) from the VS Kollegium Kalksburg, were already presented with their prizes on June 24: A Lego Boost programmable robotics set, and a Monster Friends goodie bag with TUW merchandising items. A total of ten works were awarded prizes: These were presented in the winners’ gallery in the TU Wien main building and in the TU Wien online gallery and the “Monster Friends” page starting in the fall. In addition to the technology boxes and stuffed animals, there was a graduation party for the whole class of the winners. The ten winning pictures will remain on display for one year in the main building of the TU Wien, ground floor, Karlsplatz 13.
Article: the Monster Friends painting competition
Awarded: ALLY* network receives administration award certificate
On 8 June 2021, the Austrian Administrative Award was presented virtually by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport. This award recognises outstanding achievements, innovative developments and successful modernisation processes of public organisations. The TU Wien ALLY* network had prevailed against 167 other projects and reached the final round together with 38 other project teams. All finalists presented their respective projects at a virtual exhibition stand on 8 June. The TU Wien ALLY* network did not win a trophy, but it did receive a certificate in the Diversity category. The volunteer members of the network are happy about the certificate and will continue to work on improving the acceptance of LGBTIQ* people at TU Wien. Due to Corona, the personal presentation of the certificate did not take place until the end of August.
Article: ALLY* network receives administration award certificate
Corona & Care: How are parents doing in the pandemic?
The Corona period has increased the challenges of care work and also brought it back into our awareness. Based on this and the newly discovered potential of location-independent services, the UniKid-UniCare Austria network launched a series of cross-university online events to showcase various “CAREsites”. The presentations were aimed at staff and students of all network universities in Austria. Whether childcare, household management, caring for relatives or other care activities: The series picked out care topics and socio-legal frameworks that affect us all and asked about their meanings for the place of study and work. The online launch event took place on 23 November 2021. The lecture by Prof.in Ulrike Zartler from the Institute of Sociology at the University of Wien covered the following aspects: The Covid 19 pandemic posed or posed enormous challenges to many parents – especially women. How they dealt with it was investigated in the Austria-wide study “Corona and Family Life” at the University of Wien. What strategies did parents develop during the Corona crisis? What do we learn from this exceptional time in terms of reconciling work and care? The sociologist Ulrike Zartler presented the central results of the study in her lecture and was available for discussion and questions afterwards.
Article: Corona & Care
