Press 2016

Award for innovative approaches to sustainable energy use goes to Roland Zankl, graduate of the "Corporate Energy Management" MCI course of studiesMCI alumnus Roland Zankl, sales director at Innsbruck Public Utilities (IKB), has been honored with an award for his achievements regarding innovative and efficient energy supply. Previously, he graduated from the MCI "Corporate Energy Management" course program. The prize was awarded by the IIR company (Institute of International Research).As sales manager of the IKB “ProContracting” unit, Roland Zankl constantly faces the challenge of further developing innovative ideas and concepts that create benefits and win-win situations for the IKB and their customers and contribute to the sustainability of energy supplies.He was able to win out over his rivals for the award of 2016 Energy Manager with two projects, both of which have sustainable energy use as a goal: one of the projects is a concept for the conversion to LED lighting in indoor and outdoor areas, which in the medium term not only reduces costs but also CO2 emissions. The second project deals with a type of energy generation and storage that works without any fossil fuels.Award winner Roland Zankl is proud that his work meets with nationwide recognition. "I’d like to thank my employer, IKB, who are fully committed to future-oriented energy and infrastructure solutions. They thus provide me with the perfect environment for expanding my know-how a making a contribution with it. My special thanks go also to Management Center Innsbruck, whose course of studies on corporate energy management has provided me with valuable fundamentals and input and whose didactic concept reliably ensures the practical implementation of what has been learned."Corporate Energy Management Course of StudiesIn cooperation with the renewable energy cluster of Standortagentur Tirol (agency for the promotion of Tirol as a location for business and science), MCI offers the compact course on corporate energy management. The program provides application-oriented insight into how the energy use of companies can be improved in a very targeted manner by using sensible tools, techniques and methods.The course includes nine days of attendance scheduled in the form of four blocks and is recognized by the energy efficiency monitoring agency as proof of qualification as an energy auditor. Successful graduates are supported by the "ecotirol" initiative with a scholarship of EUR 600.Applications are accepted continuously.Counselling & information:Florian Hupfauf+43 512 2070 2121florian.hupfauf@mci.edu{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1113}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Excellent overall score, excellent service quality and impressive career paths after completion of an executive master's program at the Entrepreneurial School®That quality is not accidental, but the result of many years of consistent work, has once more been confirmed by the current MCI graduate rating.The excellent reviews by the alumni of the executive master's courses at MCI regarding care, recommendation rate, and overall score of the respective programs chosen correspond to the extraordinary esteem by employers, and impressive career opportunities and development paths that the graduates experience.The rating highlights: Recommendation rate of MCI: 94.4 percent of MCI alumni would "definitely" or "mostly" recommend studying at MCI to friends, acquaintances, and colleagues. Overall score of programs: 93.5 percent of MCI alumni gave a "very good" or "good" rating to the MCI programs they had graduated from. Study goals & achievement level: The main goals at the beginning of an MCI executive program consist in professional competence (94.3%), securing one’s competitiveness (88.7%) and methodological skills (86.5%). The goals have been considered "fully" or "mostly" achieved by over 82 percent of MCI alumni. Professional development: Alumni of MCI executive master’s programs have seen significant professional development. While at the beginning of programs 38.3 percent of now-graduates were active in middle management, this value increased to 42.6 percent at the time of the survey. Even more impressive is the development to be observed in graduates employed in top management. This value increased from 19.1 percent at upon entering a program to 23.4 percent at the end, and to 29.8 percent at the time of the survey. Source: 2015/16 graduate survey; written survey with all graduates who concluded an executive master's program at MCI between 2009 and 2014. Response rate: 34.9 percent.Statements:Brigitte Auer, head of MCI Quality Management, points out the high level of satisfaction with the care situation: "100 percent (!) of graduates rate the service orientation common at MCI as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. This is testimony to how our staff and students live our motto ‘mentoring the motivated’.”Susanne E. Herzog , head of MCI Executive Education, adds: "The executive master’s programs of MCI convey the latest technical and leadership knowledge to decision-makers on all management levels. We pay special attention to direct applicability in the professional environment. The remarkable career leaps of our graduates after completion of their executive studies confirm this.”Andreas Altmann, MCI Rector thanks the graduates for participation in the survey: "The feedback from our alumni provides important information for improving and further developing our study and service range continuously. I would like to thank all participants for their constructive input."{phocadownload view=file|id=6991}{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1114}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

GE4 scholarship for research at the renowned Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, goes to Lorenz Riemer of the Entrepreneurial School®The coveted GE4 scholarship goes to Lorenz Riemer this year, who, as a student of the MCI Biotechnology and Engineering master’s programs, convinced the jury in every respect. His scholarship will give him the opportunity for a stay at the renowned Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.Thanks to its reputation, the Nanyang Technological University attracts students from more than 100 nations and has been ranked second best Asian university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Due to its innovative and revolutionary research, particularly in the field of engineering, NTU enjoys an excellent reputation internationally.Lorenz Riemer impressed the jury not only with his previous academic success, but also with his clear career goals, high commitment, international CV, and, last but not least, the high motivation with which he is mastering his demanding dual studies at MCI. So far, he has been able to gain international experience in Taiwan, Argentina and the USA, at the University of Berkeley.Already during their studies, memberships in international academic associations provide MCI students with excellent opportunities for moving in an international environment, participating in cross-border research projects and building reliable networks. Students of technical and natural science programs at MCI particularly benefit from their membership in the GE4 Network (Global Education for European Engineers and Entrepreneurs). The GE4 scholarship provides students who distinguish themselves with an exceptional academic record with the opportunity to spend a research semester at one of the top universities in Asia or Latin America.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1078}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Coveted 2016 ‘Energy Globe Vorarlberg’ goes to Hatlerdorf bioenergy plant – innovative biochar gasification technology developed at MCI is heart of the system - competent implementation by MCI spin-off SynCraft - energy technology and climate protection: successful research fields at MCIEnergy pioneers Bernhard and Tobias Ilg were honored for their commitment to a sustainable energy supply with the 2016 Energy Globe Vorarlberg. A major contribution to their success was made by a biochar wood gas power plant which is based on technology developed at MCI.Since 2002 the Ilg brothers operate the Hatlerdorf bioenergy plant in Dornbirn, a heating plant with associated heating network. They provide 250 properties with heat, which is obtained 100 percent from renewable energy sources. The biomass for heating comes entirely from regional production. The core of the heating plant is a fluidized bed gasifier, which, through a gasification process, converts wood into electricity and heat. A residual product that results from this process is high-quality biochar, which is used to improve farmland and returned to the natural cycle. The plant is the second of this type in Europe in successful live operation and reliably producing electricity. "The system is the heart of our company. Our goal is to keep efficiency as high as possible and not to let any energy go to waste", says Tobias Ilg. "We are happy to have the MCI spin-off SynCraft as a highly skilled and like-minded partner on our side."While the plant in Dornbirn operates on the basis of wood chips, MCI is already focusing on further developing the technology towards the use of alternative biogenic resources (ABR) as an energy source, such as waste wood, sewage sludge, shrub cuttings or digestate from biogas plants. These raw materials are a key factor in the implementation of a global energy revolution. The thermochemical conversion process by stepped fluid bed gasification developed already in 2007 by the Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering department at MCI provides the optimal technological basis for a decentralized and efficient conversion of these resources into electricity and heat. The MCI spin-off SynCraft Engineering, which emerged from these research activities, is now developing, designing and building ultramodern wood gas power plants in all of Europe, such as the one in use at the winner of the Vorarlberg Innovation Award. MCI research project manager and SynCraft CEO Marcel Huber is understandably proud: "With our, in terms of raw material, flexible and highly efficient biomass cogeneration plants, our research makes an important contribution to energy autonomy. We are happy this is recognized – and we congratulate Bernhard and Tobias Ilg on the 2016 Energy Globe Award"{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1111}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Innovative summer school combines class and online courses and promises success strategies for career developmentNumerous studies conducted in the last few years have shown that businesses and organizations with gender-diverse management teams are comparatively more successful both in economic and cultural terms. In a series of studies titled “Women Matter”, the McKinsey consultant firm has identified a significant correlation between the presence of women in executive committees and the financial performance of businesses.To promote this potential, MCI offers a summer school for young professionals, tailored to their specific needs and challenges, which supports them on their way to becoming executives. The interactive six-day course titled "Women's Leadership Program" offers the ideal framework for knowledge acquisition, reflection, exchange, discussion, and networking in a modern learning environment.Particular added value is provided by a specially designed supporting coaching program that enables participants to expand their professional experience with new knowledge, consolidate it in the exchange with colleagues and teachers, and apply in their own contexts. The special feature of this approach is the innovative concept of blended learning, which involves further intensive work in the learning community using discussion forums and MCI WEBINARS, based on the know-how gained during the in-class phase. In this way, confidence, the consolidation of valuable knowledge, and networking aspects all equally benefit.Start of the summer school is on 7 July, 2016.Further information:Summer School "Women's Leadership Program"{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1110}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Entrepreneurial School® graduates awarded for outstanding final papers on health promotion and e-health.The best Master’s papers on health care were recently selected at the Austrian Health Congress. The prestigious Health Research Award for applied research was presented to two MCI graduates from the International Health & Social Management Master’s program: Both Raphaela Stadelmann and Anna Oberhofer each successfully won an award in one of the four categories for the Health Research Award.Raphaela Stadelmann won the Health Promotion category with her paper on Perceived Discrimination and Mental Health in Europe. The current relevance of this topic, which Stadelman analyzed and presented in an unprecedented way, convinced the jury. The first place in the E-Health category went to Anna Oberhofer for her final paper on Mobile Health and the Burden of Chronic Disease. In her paper Oberhofer addresses a research topic of paramount importance for our society and provides a substantial contribution to the solution of the problem.MCI’s International Health & Social Management Master’s program, which is taught in English, is one of the most recognized European programs in its field and is conducted in close cooperation with top-ranking universities such as the University of Economics in Prague, the Erasmus University in Rotterdam and the University of Bologna. The program deals with the increasing challenges faced in the health and welfare sectors while preparing students ideally for national and international careers in health management and with NGOs. Siegfried Walch, head of the International Health & Social Management Department at MCI, shares his students’ excitement: “This award confirms the high level of motivation of students graduating from our international Health Management Master’s programs. It shows how the practical approach of the program can help students to directly contribute to solving such important social and economic problems.”The Health Research Award was launched by the Health Care Industry Platform of the Austrian Economic Chamber five years ago. The best final papers submitted by graduates from Austrian health care programs are awarded in the following categories: Health Care Management, Health Care Delivery, Health Promotion and E-Health. Each paper is assessed in a double-blind review process. The selected and final candidates then have to successfully present their papers before a committee .Further information:MCI International Health & Social Management Master’s Program (application deadline: June 9, 2016){phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1108}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Coming in fall 2016: Pioneering new major within the Mechatronics Bachelor’s program in close cooperation with the Innsbruck Medical UniversityThe diagnosis and treatment of diseases increasingly depends on complex technologies. This trend will continue to accelerate. Against this background, the Entrepreneurial School® will be offering a new Medical Engineering major for its Mechatronics Bachelor’s program, which has been successfully taught at MCI Management Center Innsbruck since 2008.In an innovative and dynamic environment, the Medical Engineering major combines medical skills with technologies from the fields of mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information processing.As of fall 2016, the Medical Engineering major will be offered by MCI in close cooperation with the Innsbruck Medical University, combining the know-how of two internationally recognized universities to benefit students, graduates, employers, businesses and the local economy. This guarantees prospective graduates excellent career and academic opportunities and allows them to enter a highly dynamic market. Bachelor graduates can go on to obtain a Master’s degree to gain access to high-level jobs within hospitals, research & development, medical product manufacturing or other related management positions.*accreditation requiredFurther information:Mechatronics Bachelor’s ProgramMajors: Medical engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering{phocadownload view=file|id=6949}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Industriemagazin once again ranks the Entrepreneurial School® among the top three in their annual ranking of Austrian MBA providers.For the third consecutive year Management Center Innsbruck has scored among the top three in the MBA ranking published by Industriemagazin. MCI’s “General Management Executive MBA” has made it to the top three again. The survey conducted by the IMAD opinion research center confirms the reputation of the Entrepreneurial School® as a top institute for postgraduate studies.According to the survey, MCI boasts growing name recognition rates as well as an above-average referral rate. The poll tested name recognition and image as well as the usefulness of Executive MBA programs, which was assessed by 151 human resource managers and CEOs of leading Austrian companies. Some of the key benefits named by survey participants were the deepening of know-how in familiar and complimentary fields of expertise as well as the individual development of personal networks and skills.This is also acknowledged by numerous graduates of the high-level General Management Executive MBA program at MCI: The modular structure of the MBA program, excellent lecturers and the strong practical focus ensure that what is taught and what you learn can be directly applied to daily practice. The exchange with course participants from other fields allows for new perspectives and impulses. Studying at MCI is worth every hour you invest. (Source: success stories, www.mci.edu/alumni)Susanne E. Herzog, head of MCI Executive Education, confirms: “ The success stories of our graduates are impressive. We frequently observe that our modular MBA program serves as a career boost. Our students also find all the networking opportunities we offer at MCI very helpful.”With its repeated top ranking, the Entrepreneurial School® clearly upholds its outstanding position in Austria, which is consistently acknowledged in accreditations, surveys, rankings and awards.Further information:General Management Executive MBA{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=967}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

MCI study programs achieve excellent results in the categories for technology and natural sciences of the most recent College and University Ranking organized by the international Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung: The Entrepreneurial School® occupies 40 positions in the top groupThe current College and University Ranking of CHE publishes excellent results for Management Center Innsbruck: With high-quality study programs in technology and natural sciences, MCI has achieved 40 positions among the top German-speaking universities.The following study programs offered at the Entrepreneurial School® have been distinguished by the renowned CHE Ranking: Biotechnology, Mechatronics, Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering, and Food & Bioresource Technology. MCI students are particularly satisfied with the support they are provided by their university. Also the modern equipment of seminar rooms and laboratories has been evaluated with top grades. Students moreover appreciate the introductory phase of the study programs at MCI, which helps freshmen to find their way in the new academic environment.The study program in Biotechnology in particular distinguishes itself from similar courses due to its professional relevance, practicality, and opportunities for studies abroad. The study program in Mechatronics received top grades for practicality as well as its library facilities.Brigitte Auer, Head of the MCI Department for Quality Management, believes the results of the present CHE Ranking to be proof of the high quality of the technology and natural sciences courses offered at MCI: “Students have shown great appreciation for our continuous efforts to expand our offers in the field of Technology & Life Sciences. The results of the CHE Ranking encourage us to additionally work on the development of the entire range of study programs and services provided at MCI.”Comparing more than 300 colleges and universities, 2.700 divisions, and 10.000 study programs, the CHE College and University Ranking is the most comprehensive and detailed ranking in the German-speaking world. Every year, one third of the subjects are reassessed.The results of the current CHE Ranking have been published at www.zeit.de/hochschulranking.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1103}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

MCI tourism successful in all categories: Three MCI graduates honored by the Austrian Society for Research in Tourism and Leisure IndustryThe FH Joanneum, Bad Gleichenberg, recently hosted the awarding of the popular Tourissimus Award. 20 candidates from eight different institutions participated in the hearings held by a high-class jury. As the only Austrian institution for higher education, MCI nominated three candidates who were able to impress the jury in all of the three award categories.Verena Riegler distinguished herself from her competitors in the “Sustanability” category and received the first prize. In her paper on the “Prospects for an Environmentally Conscious Natural Resources Use along the Tourism Value Chain in Austria”, Riegler addresses the question of in how far the environmentally conscious treatment of the natural resources water, energy, and air along the tourism value chain might reduce the green purchasing gap and increase the customer value of ecosensitive customers.With an excellent paper on the “Success Factors for the International Marketing of Alpine Tourism Destinations”, Petra Röck achieved the third place in the category for “Cities & Destinations”. Cornelia Schneider’s work on “Leadership Skills in the Tyrolean Hotel Industry” brought her the fourth place in “Tourist Industry”.Prof. Hubert J. Siller, Head of the MCI Department for Tourism: “I am absolutely delighted at the results of Tourissimus 2016! It is a great achievement for the award winners as well as the MCI study programs in Tourism.”Rector Andreas Altmann: “I wish to congratulate Verena Riegler, Petra Röck and Cornelia Schneider on their success and thank Hubert Siller as well as his committed team! For years they have brought forth exceptional management talents in the field of tourism. Regular achievements, such as the present, confirm the excellent work of the team.”{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1101}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

The 7th Long Night of Research offered more than 1.300 visitors insights into the research activities of the Entrepreneurial School®.On April 22, the MCI Long Night of Research once again offered an entertaining program and stations where participants of all age groups received interesting and clear information about the most diverse and fascinating research questions: Liquid Nitrogen: How fast can you freeze different objects? Colorful Biotechnology: What color are microorganisms? Membrane Technology: Is it possible to clean polluted water? The LEGO Challenge: What does a school of the future look like? The Floating Ball: Is it possible to teach smartphones how to move objects? Virtual Reality: How does virtual reality change the world? Sugar Products vs. “Light” Products: How do they affect our body? ReFruit Yourself: A tasting. Mergers & Acquisitions: Creating value or wasting money? Scanning Electron Microscope: What does the microcosm look like? Wood Gasifier: How can wood be transformed into energy? HotCAT: Do autocatalysts always work efficiently? Age Suite: What does it feel like to become older? A Culture of Failure: Why do we need to fail to be able to succeed? The Long Night of Research has become a key event to promote the public dialogue between science and society. Since 2005, the event has attracted a growing interest of people from all classes and age groups through an expanded program. Also this year more than 700 organizations provided their services in more than 250 locations throughout Austria and presented most recent findings as well as innovative technologies.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1099}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Hotel Edelweiß & Gurgl in Obergurgl, Ötztal, summer retreat of the Austrian economist and Nobel Prize winner Friedrich August von Hayek, was recently the venue for the 5th Colloquium Obergurgl. Funded by Management Center Innsbruck and the University of Innsbruck, this year’s high-class exchange between science and economy took place under the motto “Awakening – Reconsider Society”.In his brilliant “Hayek Lecture”, top manager Michael Krammer (CEO of the virtual telecommunications provider Ventocom and Rapid Wien President) offered insights into innovative business models and modified supply chains relying on the continued digitalization of our society. To act disruptively means to radically question and reconstruct each and every step from production to distribution as well as customer service. Cell phone providers, therefore, do not necessarily have to operate their own network in order to gain a market share. Globally successful service providers such as Uber do not even use their own taxis. In comparison to old economy, concepts such as AirBnB are able to grow rapidly without supplying their own accommodation. Krammer believes in competition to cause innovation, especially with respect to the telecommunications sector: “150 years of government monopoly did not cause much change; the 20 past years of competition, however, have provoked a true shake-up.” Hence Krammer’s management philosophy, according to which one must always imagine an improved version of present activities. Success, in this respect, inhibits innovation, for it tempts people to forever stick to the same methods.On the first day of the Colloquium Obergurgl economic managers presented their personal reflections to spark lively discussions. The focus of the second day was on scientific research between “Digital Transformation”, “Open Innovation”, and “Crowdfunding”. Both Andreas Altmann (MCI) and Markus Walzl (University of Innsbruck) emphasized the significance of the event for both science and economy: “If we question current economic developments and parameters, we establish the basis for future innovation: Are present parameters suitable? Does our current education system meet future requirements? How do successful players use their entrepreneurial intuition and implement ideas? These economic questions are also relevant to scientific research!”Lukas Scheiber, host and owner of Hotel Edelweiß & Gurgl, welcomed top-class guests to interesting discussions and lively conversations in Obergurgl: Among them were Jakob Edler (Professor for Innovation Policy and Strategy at the University of Manchester), SAP Manager Gerhard Zeiner, Kurt Matzler (Professor for Strategic Management at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano), Josef Gunsch (CEO of Physioterm, FC Wacker Innsbruck President), Hannelore Weck-Hannemann (Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Statistics at the University of Innsbruck), Wolfgang Meixner (Vice-Rector of the University of Innsbruck), as well as Harald Gohm (CEO of the Standortagentur Tirol) and Oliver Schwarz (CEO of Ötztal Tourismus).Colloquium Obergurgl 2016 is an annual meeting of entrepreneurs, scientists, and media representatives held at Hotel Edelweiß & Gurgl. With the aim to promote and intensify the dialogue between science, economy, and society, the annual event offers a unique opportunity for exchange on current economic and social challenges.The primary focus of this year’s Colloquium Obergurgl was on innovation and a number of open questions: Do established solution approaches to social, scientific, and economic policy matters suffice in order to keep up with entrepreneurial developments and promote innovative activities in economics and society? Which new impulses are necessary to inspire innovation within a digitalized and globalized world where growing interconnectedness provides more and more information and financing possibilities, while at the same time increasing competitive pressure and the necessity for differentiation and distinctiveness?The idea to organize the Colloquium Obergurgl was born at Hotel Edelweiß & Gurgl five years ago. The conception of the contents was in the responsibility of the University of Innsbruck and Management Center Innsbruck. The event is supported by Ötztal Tourismus, the municipality of Sölden, the Standortagentur Tirol, GAS-Service and the media representatives Die Presse and pro.media kommunikation.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1098}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Within the scope of the renowned series of lectures organized by the MCI Alumni & Friends Association, the Entrepreneurial School® recently welcomed Romano Prodi, who once acted as Prime Minister of Italy and President of the European Commission.Primarily known for his political commitment, Romano Prodi has also built an impressive academic career: He holds degrees in both law and economy. More than 300 students, graduates, friends, and partners of MCI were inspired by his profound analysis of the current European crisis, which he presented as part of the MCI Alumni & Friends lecture series.Prodi points out that, despite its fascinating and unprecedented development, the European Union has lost momentum: As a leader in industrial production and export, the EU may still be able to keep up with the US and China with respect to economic performance, and yet its global image is gradually declining. Continual enlargement has not only changed the European Union itself, but also the character of its 28 member states. Enthusiastic phases of enlargement have thus given way to wide-spread uncertainty due to processes of globalization, waves of immigration, and economic crises. Nearly all member states have been affected by political crisis. Not many politicians think about what lies beyond the next elections. New political groups displace traditional parties. The power relations within the EU have drastically changed. The traditional balance between Germany, France, and the United Kingdom has been disrupted by internal crises in France and the continued discussions about the UK’s possible withdrawal from the European Union. In addition, the current course of globalization presents a challenge, which the EU is not able to cope with.Prodi is convinced that remedial action can only be taken by strengthening the EU’s political power. Entering into cooperation with other nations, the EU will gain the power to rise to the current challenges. Prodi thus refers to the three pillars of the European Union: He considers it absolutely necessary to reinstall the balance between budgets, economy, and taxation systems. Common foreign and safety policies must be enforced, if necessary, with the help of a common army. In order to solve the refugee crisis, the EU must tackle the root of the problem and put its focus on peace efforts in Syria and Libya.The lecture was organized by MCI in cooperation with the Industriellenvereinigung Tirol (IV) and the consular corps of Tyrol. MCI Rector Andreas Altmann was responsible for the moderation of a lively discussion in which the event culminated.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1097}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Partnership between Management Center Innsbruck and Raiffeisen-Bankengruppe Tirol culminates in popular awardRaiffeisen, long-term partner and sponsor of MCI, appreciates academic training as an essential resource for personal, entrepreneurial, and social development. This appreciation finds expression in the Raiffeisen Award: In order to recognize exceptional personal as well as professional achievements, and support motivated individuals, Raiffeisen annually awards scholarships to students from selected programs of higher education.The Raiffeisen Award 2016 including a scholarship of 3.000 euros goes to Simone Wasserer, who currently acts as Head of the Legal Department at the Innsbruck Medical University. The scholarship will enable Wasserer to complete the certificate program in Personal Management at MCI. Several years ago the prize winner already graduated with a Master degree in International Business & Tax Law LL.M. Over the course of her professional career, she has increasingly come in touch with tasks at the interface of human resource development and management. The jury not only praised Wasserer’s professional qualification, but also her social skills and exceptional potential for complementary activities in the field of human resources. Wasserer additionally impressed with her managerial competencies: Ever since her studies at MCI, they have enabled her to successfully achieve several goals in life at once.The Tiroler Raiffeisenbanken and the Entrepreneurial School® seize the opportunity to sincerely congratulate this year’s award-winner Simone Wasserer and wish her all the best for her future studies and further professional development.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1090}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Student of Food & Bioresource Technology Thomas Hollerer qualifies for Austria to Austin Student Startup ExchangeFrom more than 700 applicants Thomas Hollerer, student of Food & Bioresource Technology at MCI, has been selected to participate in a two-week exchange in Austin, Texas. The program offers excellent Austrian students intensive entrepreneurship training and creative networking between Austria and the US.In the course of an elaborate application procedure entirely held in English a committee of the U.S. Embassy Vienna conducted intense interviews and assessed the candidates’ performance, motivation, and creative potential. Besides the usual application documents, the committee evaluated several essays as well as videos which had to be produced by the students themselves. In various demanding application rounds, Thomas Hollerer was able to convince the jury of his concept of a possible food startup. The jury praised his professional qualification and was highly impressed by his motivation and entrepreneurial energy.Fellow Thomas Hollerer is looking forward to his participation in the training in the US: “I feel really lucky to be among the few students who have been selected to participate in this high-class training program. I will seize the opportunity to improve my skills and connect with Texans as well as other participants.”Head of Studies Katrin Bach is proud of Hollerer’s achievement: “The industry has shown great interest in the MCI degree courses in Food Technology ever since their introduction. I am particularly delighted to see that our innovative and regional food concepts do not only correspond to the spirit of the time, but are more and more also recognized internationally. On that note, let me congratulate Mr. Hollerer on his success!”Bernd Ebersberger, Head of the Department for Research, Development & Entrepreneurship at MCI, adds: “It is such a pleasure to witness the increasing recognition and appreciation of our students’ entrepreneurial powers. I should like to congratulate Mr. Hollerer on his outstanding performance and wish him two inspiring weeks in the US.”The Austria to Austin Student Startup Exchange was launched by the U.S. Embassy Vienna in cooperation with the organization 3 Day Startup. The exchange program communicates the basics of business formation and opens up the possibility to connect with startup visionaries from all over the world. The program moreover includes excursions to companies such as Google, Facebook, or Rackspace.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1091}Further informationBachelor study program Bio & Food TechnologyMaster study program Food Technology & NutritionPresscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Management Center Innsbruck announces another success: The Austrian Industriemagazin ranking 2016 confirms the excellent quality of the Entrepreneurial School®Once again Management Center Innsbruck has been recognized for its consistent production of high quality work. The recently published ranking of the Industriemagazin lists MCI with an impressive overall score of 2,40 among the elite of Austrian universities. More than 500 executives of Austrian industrial companies assessed the popularity and quality of industry-related study programs.Individual ratings have validated MCI’s impressive overall score: Several study programs offered at MCI have in fact achieved top positions in their respective categories: Biotechnology, Bachelor (Second Place) Business & Management, Bachelor (Second Place) Management & Law, Bachelor (Second Place) Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering, Master (Third Place) International Business & Management, Master (Fourth Place) Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering, Bachelor (Fifth Place) Most recently the Universum Ranking 2015 has additionally acknowledged MCI as the best university of Austria and in particular emphasized MCI’s excellent standing in the categories for Career Service and Employability (First and Second Place).Offering a broad range of business programs as well as courses in technology and life sciences, the Entrepreneurial School® indeed prepares students for a large number of promising career options. Brigitte Huter, Head of the MCI Career Center, points out: “The employability of graduates is an influential factor in the evaluation of degree courses. Targeted training and workshops with a focus on cross-cutting competencies and social skills complement our programs and prepare students for the multifaceted challenges of professional life.”Brigitte Auer, Head of the MCI Department for Quality Management, is delighted at the positive results: “High quality of teaching and research as well as clearly defined goals constitute the foundation of MCI. We are glad to see that the industry acknowledges our efforts.”{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1089}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

On April 2 and April 3 Innsbruck for the first time hosted the RoboCup Junior Austrian Open 2016: The event was organized by the Department of Computer Science of the University of Innsbruck, MCI and TiRoLab.More than 350 young talents from the age groups of 11 to 14 and 15 to 19 entered into the competition of the 9th RoboCup Junior, which took place in Innsbruck for the first time. The technophiles from altogether ten different nations participated in three disciplines: “Soccer”, “OnStage”, and “Rescue”. The best teams qualified for the RoboCup Championship 2016 in Leipzig.The well-known team of the Bundesrealgymnasium Kepler, which enthusiastically participated in the Cup already for the seventh time, won in the category for “Soccer”: The focus was on the robots, which were not operated via remote control, but rather appeared to play independently. In the category for “Rescue”, robots made their way through a maze to search for victims buried by a simulated earthquake. Pupils from Hungary were able to convince the jury with their rescue robots. The best local team from 103 participating groups consisted of pupils from the NMS Telfs: They were among the top three in the category “OnStage”, which asked the participants and their robots to perform on stage.The RoboCup Junior is all about creativity and fun: Young talents should experience delight in experimenting with electronics and programming. Staff member of the MCI Department for Mechatronics and co-Organizer of the event Benjamin Massow explains: “Our aim is to spark young people’s interest for technology and help them overcome any reserve. Participants between 11 and 14 playfully enter the field via Lego. But we are delighted to see that the pupils quickly switch to building and programming their own robots.”{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1102}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Research award for MCI employee Jannes Bayer at the 10th Research Forum of the Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences“Building bridges” was the motto for the 10th Research Forum of the Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences. On the occasion of the forum’s 10th anniversary, a specially created award was presented to young researchers. Jannes Bayer was awarded third place for his research as a member of the academic staff at the MCI Tourism Department.The Research Forum of the Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences constitutes a platform for presenting various research activities and results of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences. A highly diverse research landscape has been successfully developed across professional and geographical boarders at the level of these universities. Year after year, the Research Forum impressively demonstrates the high level of performance achieved through applied research at Universities of Applied Sciences.Further information:Tourism Business Studies Bachelor’s ProgramEntrepreneurship & Tourism Master’s Program – Strategic Management MajorEntrepreneurship & Tourism Master’s Program – Marketing Management Major{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1106}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Barbara Allgäuer has received one of three student fellowships for a training program on International Corporate Travel Management.Another award at MCI: Barbara Allgäuer, an Entrepreneurship & Tourism student at MCI, has earned a fellowship awarded to only three out of 60 applicants from all over the world. The Around the world in 80 hours fellowship program is conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) in cooperation with BCD Travel.In several highly competitive selection rounds and assessments, Barbara Allgäuer was able to convince the jury with her academic background, her practical experience and her determination for personal and professional development. The jury was also impressed by her extensive international experience, which includes a recent six-month stay in South Africa.In May Allgäuer will begin to attend international workshops and conferences in various metropolitan cities all over the world. She will be developing her know-how of corporate travel management in international business hubs like São Paolo, Dubai, Beijing, Delhi, Atlanta and Amsterdam, allowing her to establish international networks. As of August, she will be spending several months completing a traineeship with BCD Travel, a renowned corporate travel management company.Around the World in 80 hours is a global immersion training focusing on global corporate travel management conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) in close cooperation with BCD Travel.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1083}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Executive Certificate Course in Management, Psychology & Leadership starting at Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) on May 13, 2016.Today’s management world is complex and dynamic. In such a diverse environment, successful organizational behavior requires leaders, decision-makers and creators to be well prepared and to strengthen their competencies in dealing with a multitude of factors. They should be proficient in business administration but also in the various aspects of leadership evolving around the human being, teams, organizations and markets.This Executive Certificate Course in Management, Psychology & Leadership – Understanding and Managing Complex Decision-Making Processes focuses on the academic discussion of specific questions related to behavioral economics and promotes the personal reflection and optimization of participants’ own leadership and management roles. The interdisciplinary combination of economics, philosophy, sociology and psychology encourages participants to acquire different perspectives and to effectively apply what they learn into their work environment.This 16-day course is spread out over five months and starts on May 13, 2016. Graduates also receive credits for the internationally accredited General Management Executive MBA and Master of Science in Management & Leadership MSc.Further informationExecutive Certificate Course in Management, Psychology & LeadershipInformation and guidanceClaudia Haidacher, +43 512 2070-2122, claudia.haidacher@mci.eduPresscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}