FoodLink: innovative raw materials under investigation

2016-11-29

Exemplary cooperation between HANDL TYROL, Recheis, and MCI as the first food project of this kind in Tyrol: sustainable collaboration and knowledge transfer generate significant competitive advantage

More conscious nutritional practice, natural raw materials, regional sourcing, and responsible use of resources are at present significant food trends and determine product development in high-quality food production. These are issues that have also been focused on by HANDL TYROL and Recheis, two of the most successful Austrian food producers. Both see the quality of their products in holistic terms and endeavor to provide their customers with innovative products, combining enjoyable food and up-to-date nutrition.

The MCI Agro and Food Technology research area with focus on product development and processing in the food industry has provided ideal preconditions for a cooperative project between MCI, HANDL TYROL, and Recheis.

One of the foci of the project was, for example, on the analysis and processing of healthy plant raw materials. A particularly valuable tool is provided by instrumental texture analysis, which facilitates the consideration of difficult-to-quantify parameters such as mouthfeel of specific food products.

The project partners are enthusiastic about the cooperation. Karl Christian Handl of HANDL TYROL sees great potential in this mutually fruitful collaboration: “As the producer of new and traditional sausage and meat specialties, we export more than 50 percent of our produce. In order to be able to continue growing in future and to meet consumer expectations we rely on innovation for success.“ In this project, emphasis is placed on the development of specific food innovations such as more food-conscious meat snacks. Martin Terzer of Recheis adds: “As we compete on an international level, we can only succeed by providing intelligent products of high quality. This initiative shows how synergetic cooperation and networking can create the basis for increased added value.” With a market share of more than 30 percent Recheis is brand leader in pasta products.

Head of the MCI Agro and Food Technology Research Field, Katrin Bach is delighted with the successful cooperation and points to the particular strengths of MCI: “As Entrepreneurial School^® we can complement the cooperation with our scientific and problem-oriented expertise. The project has already resulted in exciting ideas and promising project conceptions, which we will put in practice with our partners HANDL TYROL and Recheis as a next step.”

Further information:
Research, development, and innovation at MCI

{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1165}

Press contact
Mag. (FH) Ulrike Fuchs
Marketing & Communication
+43 512 2070-1527
ulrike.fuchs@mci.edu

Corporate energy management

From February 2017 on: further education in technology at MCIThe efficient employment of energy is increasingly becoming a significant factor in costing and competition in the production and services industry.For a number of years, MCI has successfully provided a compact course on corporate energy management in cooperation with the Renewable Energy cluster of the Tyrol Location Agency. The application-oriented program shows how the employment of energy by businesses can be improved by using well-founded technologies, methods, and instruments.The ten-day course begins on February 22, 2017 and contains five two-day blocks. It has been fully recognized by the Austrian monitoring authority on energy efficiency as providing training as a qualified energy auditor.Applications are presently accepted.Detailed information:In-House Energy Management certificate courseCounseling and information:Sebastian Engels, sebastian.engels@mci.edu, +43 512 2070 2121{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1002}Press contactMag. (FH) Ulrike FuchsMarketing & Communication+43 512 2070-1527ulrike.fuchs@mci.edu

980 MCI graduates

The success story of the Entrepreneurial School® continues with 980 bachelor and master graduates with excellent job prospects in 2016 and 6,500 invited guests at the graduation ceremoniesOnly a short time ago this year’s round of annual festive MCI graduation ceremonies took place in the sumptuous surroundings of the historically significant Dogana. In 2016, 980 graduates completed their bachelor and master studies at the Entrepreneurial School® and accepted their academic graduation certificates from the hands of the promoters and heads of department and studies. Both the MCI graduates of bachelor and master courses and further education courses were awarded.6,500 invited guestsAround 6,500 guests from the worlds of economy, science, society, and politics honored the graduates. Amongst them was President of the Tyrolean Parliament Herwig van Staa, Tyrolean Minister of Science Bernhard Tilg, Mayor of Innsbruck Christine Oppitz-Plörer, President of the Tyrolean Economic Chamber Jürgen Bodenseer, and numerous other lawmakers and politicians. As special guest we were able to welcome Jerry Chomyn, Dean of the University of Guelph Humber, Toronto. This dynamic Canadian university is one of the oldest MCI partner universities.High recognition by the labor marketAlready during their studies, the students are introduced to the labor market by participating in practical projects, practice-oriented examination tasks, and internships. In addition, they are provided with the services of the MCI Career Center, including a job and internship exchange, workshops, and individual coaching. Brigitte Huter, Head of the MCI Career Center, states: “A key to a successful career lies in the careful selection of the internship. Both for the employee and the student, internships provide an ideal platform to get to know each other. Many graduates immediately take up employment with their previous internship providers.“Excellent rankingsSolid preparation of MCI students for the labor market is confirmed by the results of the 2016 Universum Ranking, which again ranks MCI as the best university in Austria. First rank is achieved foremost on the basis of focus on employability and the services of the career center.Academic grade of the MCI brandIn order to highlight the exceptional quality of their degrees in the international educational and academic markets, MCI graduates are permitted to complement their titles with the MCI brand.StatementsTyrolean Minister of Science Bernhard Tilg, PhD, chair of the MCI general assembly, is very pleased with the graduates: ”With the technology offensive the State of Tyrol has moved a step ahead internationally.” Mayor Christine Oppitz-Plörer adds: “We can no longer imagine the provincial capital without MCI. In Innsbruck, 50,000 individuals – i.e. one in three – are presently attending an educational institution. Innsbruck educational institutions have a great international reputation.” Rector Andreas Altmann can provide impressive details: “85 percent of MCI students successfully complete their studies. MCI can boast 9,000 alumni. By graduation, the average student has already received 2.1 job offers.” President of the Tyrolean Economic Chamber Jürgen Bodenseer, PhD has following encouraging words to say: “By leaving well-trodden paths and choosing your own path, you will generate innovation and business competitiveness.“{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1176}Press contactMag. (FH) Ulrike FuchsMarketing & Communication+43 512 2070-1527ulrike.fuchs@mci.edu

MCI graduate Julia Wäger awarded the 2016 Science Prize

The Science Prize of the Tyrolean Economic Chamber for innovative master theses in tourism: CRS measures create a competitive advantage for smaller and middle-sized hotel businessesThe tourism department of Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) is elated. Julia Wäger, graduate of the Tourism & Entrepreneurship study program, has recently been awarded the coveted trophy of the Tyrolean Economic Chamber. Her master thesis covering the influence of CRS activities on the purchase decisions of consumers in small and middle-sized hotel businesses convinced in every way. The jury lauded the high level of innovation of her thesis and emphasized its practical relevance.In her thesis Julia Wäger argues that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Austrian hotel business is becoming increasingly relevant to purchase decisions and contains a co-determining competitive factor. Therefore, ecologically and socially responsible action represents a goal for the businesses involved. Julia Wäger emphasizes that the conclusions of her research result in practical recommendations for hotel businesses and are transferable to small und middle-sized businesses in Tyrol.“Both the scientific quality of the master thesis and the presentation and reflection on the results are exemplary,“ her academic advisor, MCI Professor and Deputy Head of the Academic Council, Anita Zehrer commends. “I congratulate Ms. Wäger on her successful thesis, which will find recognition in the hotel industry as well as all medium-sized businesses.”Since 1997, the Tyrolean Economic Chamber Science Prize has been awarded to exceptional master theses and dissertations that exhibit a high level of innovation and immediate applicability to small and middle-sized businesses of the Tyrolean economy.MCI Rector Andreas Altmann believes the prize to perform the important function of securing the Tyrol business location: “To build a bridge between science and business is one of the main goals of Management Center Innsbruck. I would like to thank the Tyrolean Economic Chamber and, in particular, their president Jürgen Bodenseer, PhD for this valuable initiative.“{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1175}Press contactMag. (FH) Ulrike FuchsMarketing & Communication+43 512 2070-1527ulrike.fuchs@mci.edu