Fit for business and industry
1st TU Austria Innovation Marathon as a showcase for Austrian technology students
Nine real-life tasks from Austrian companies, nine student teams from the three technical universities TU Wien, TU Graz and Montanuni Leoben and just 24 hours to develop innovative solution concepts. At the first TU Austria Innovation Marathon on 28 and 29 May, Austrian technology students demonstrated their innovative strength, expertise and creativity. The TU Austria brochure "Austria's technology students are world class", which was presented at the same time, portrays the diverse projects and excellent successes of student teams based on selected initiatives.
The challenges faced by the teams at the first TU Austria Innovation Marathon were varied and demanding: the tasks set by the companies ranged from the development of a new bridge construction or a circuit board concept for modular smartphones to a new concept for information processing and the design of a storage system for the hand blender and its accessories. Nine domestic companies took the opportunity to develop innovative concepts and solutions together with young, highly qualified lateral thinkers and technology creatives from Austria's three technical universities.
Rector Sabine Seidler, TU Wien, Rector Harald Kainz, TU Graz and Rector Wilfried Eichlseder, Montanuniversität Leoben, are proud of the expertise and conceptual strength of the interdisciplinary student teams and the results of the Innovation Marathon: "The first TU Austria Innovation Marathon is an impressive showcase of the students of all three Austrian universities of technology, which impressively demonstrates the innovative strength of our young talents - even under the tougher conditions of this 24-hour non-stop challenge." In addition to imparting knowledge and technical expertise, a practical and market-orientated education is part of everyday life at the three TU Austria universities. The Innovation Marathon is an expression of this entrepreneurial, business-orientated spirit at the universities, as are the diverse student initiatives.
Peter Koren, Deputy Secretary General of the Federation of Austrian Industries and patron of the event, is also impressed: "For us, the presentations at the Innovation Marathon are impressive proof of what is possible when excellent education, creativity and motivation come together. IV is committed to continuing TU Austria's successful course as a frontrunner in research and teaching. Our major concern is to increase the number of students enrolled in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), which is why the industry is in favour of a new teaching culture in science and technology at school. Our society will only remain fit for the future if we succeed in getting more young people interested in STEM subjects." Innovation in 24 hours The Innovation Marathon uses acquired expertise and a free choice of means and methods to develop creative and innovative solutions, including prototypes for problems from the real economy. Team spirit, social skills and stamina are also required. The tricky tasks came from AVL LIST GmbH, PHILIPS Consumer Lifestyle Klagenfurt, LOGICDATA Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GmbH, Waagner-Biro AG, Neuroth AG, Styria Digital Services GmbH, AT&S - Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG, Berndorf Band GmbH and Infineon Technologies Austria AG. Günther Wellenzohn, Innovation Manager at Infineon, on his company's reasons for taking part in the Innovation Marathon: "The TU Austria Innovation Marathon shows in an unconventional and convincing way how something new can be created. As Austria's strongest research company, Infineon is particularly keen to support committed students in their creative exploration of innovation and technology."
Die Aufgabenstellung des 1. TU Austria Innovations-Marathons
TU Austria President Harald Kainz, Rector of TU Graz, is aware of the responsibility of the TU Austria universities: "The achievements of the technical universities in teaching and research are the basis for the prosperous development of domestic industry and business. We train the next generation of scientists and engineers for Austria as a high-tech location and are available as partners for business and industry."
Austria's technology student teams are world class
Whether student racing teams or physics theatres, space missions, school projects for Africa, football cups, recycling projects or product innovations: the range of transdisciplinary student initiatives at the three TU Austria universities - TU Wien, Montanuniversität Leoben and TU Graz - is as diverse as the courses offered by the technical universities themselves and is the focus of the TU Austria brochure "Austria's technology students are world class", hot off the press. These initiatives are a key factor in providing a sound, practice-orientated education geared towards the requirements of industry and business and are actively promoted by the three universities. TU Graz Rector Harald Kainz, Acting President of TU Austria, is proud of the students, their initiatives and successes: "Austria's engineering students deliver top performances every day - not only in their studies, but also in the many student teams. It is high time to bring them to the fore and honour their expertise, innovative strength and creativity."
To the TU Austria brochure ""Austria's technology students are world class""
Photos of the TU Wien student initiatives
Photos of the TU Graz student initiatives
Photos of the student initiatives at Montanuni Leoben
TU Austria
Three Austrian Universities of Technology - One Force - United Through Excellence TU Wien, TU Graz and Montanuniversität Leoben founded the "TU Austria" association in 2010. This creates an association in the field of technology and natural sciences with more than 44,000 students, 460 million euros in total assets and 8,800 employees. The mission of TU Austria is to join forces to achieve more in the areas of research, teaching and university policy and to act as a partner for business and industry with concentrated expertise.
Contact:
Dr Elke Standeker, Bakk. MBA
Secretary General of TU Austria
T: +43 3842 402 7013
elke.standeker(at)tuaustria.ac.at
Bilder: © Matthias Heisler - TU Austria