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Member in the Spotlight: University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

Welcome to our ‘Member in the Spotlight’ series, where we showcase the research focuses and work of our members. We hope these profiles support you in getting to know our members and to identify themes in your work and focuses where you may be able to collaborate with colleagues at member institutions. 

Introducing…University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

Who are University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria?

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (FHOÖ) is a multi-campus university in Austria, Europe with campuses in Hagenburg, Linz, Steyr and Wels.  

The university delivers teaching and research which is practice orientated and dynamically evolves to tackle the challenges of the future. Their staff and students are at the heart of their success in setting important impulses for growth and production within Austria and its business and educational sectors.  

FHOÖ’s motto, “teaching and learning with pleasure – researching with curiosity”, summarises their ethos and mission as a university. 

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria’s campus.

What are their research focuses?

FHOÖ has four schools across four campus locations: Informatics, Communications and Media (Hagenburg Campus), Medical Engineering and Applied Social Sciences (Linz Campus), Business and Management (Steyr Campus), and Engineering (Wels Campus).  Underpinning the research and teaching undertaken in these schools, are Centers of Excellence, outlining focuses for the research and development projects taking place at the University. 

  • ICT – Information and Communications Technology
    • Advanced Information Systems Technology, Embedded AI and Embedded Systems 
    • Human Computer Interaction, Digital Media Lab, Human Interfaces & Virtual Environments, Education and Life in a Digital World, Secure Information Systems 
    • Prescriptive Analytics 
  • Medical Engineering/TIMed Center 
    • Bioinformatics, Biomimetics and Materials Development 
    • Hybrid Surgical Simulators, Model Building and Simulation, Motion Analysis and Biomechanics 
    • Prosthetics and Sensors, Medical Device Software, Ergonomics and Ageing in the Work Environment
  • Smart Production 
    • Symbolic Regression, Adaptive Optimisation, Smart Operations, Smart Production, Business Analytics, Extender Reality and Intelligent Systems 
  • Societal Transformation and Social Innovation 
    • Digisocilisation – Transformations in a Digisocial World 
    • Social Work Research, Innovations in the Public Sector, Transformation of Organizations People and Planet, Impact Evalution, Living Care Lab 
  • Logistics 
    • AWARD – Automated Transport Logistics Despite Harsh Weather Conditions, Josef Ressel Center for Predictive Analytics and Data-Driven Intelligence in Value Networks (PREVAIL), Predictive Resource Planning in the Warehouse, SURE – SUstainable and REsilient Interconnected Supply Chains 
  • Digital Transformation 
    • Digital Strategy and Innovation, Digital Marketing and Commerce, Digital Work and Life 
    • AI Catalyst for SMEs, Forward-Looking Financial Research: Digital Innovations and Skills Development 
  • Energy & Power 
    • Hydrogen Technologies 
  • Automotive and Mobility 
    • Networks and Mobility Materials
  • Materials
    • Materials with defined properties are the basis for both highly specialized applications and everyday products. At the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, research is carried out along the entire process chain, from material selection and modification to the finished component. Plastics, composites, metals and surface coatings as well as the non-destructive testing methods 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) and active thermography are the focus of the research work.
  • Food Technology & Nutrition
    • K1 Center FFoQSI, Josef Ressel Center for Active Phytogenic Substances, REACT Enabling Technologies for Zero Defect Manufacturing and more
    • The Food Technology  Nutrition platform deals with topics such as ingredients and the modification of food and animal feed. In addition, various plant-based active ingredients are researched at cellular and molecular level. Another topic is quality assurance in the area of food quality (food control) using various measurement methods.

Read more about the research undertaken across FHOÖ’s campuses, schools and Centres of Excellence ‘Range of Services’. 

Examples of the research projects covered include: 

  • Human-Centered Artificial intelligence; a program which aims to develop methods to make Artificial Intelligence more understandable, transparent and fair for humans and to support the interaction between humans and AI systems (pg. 12). 
  • Hybrid – Hydrogen Based Research Infrastructure Development Infrastruktur; a comprehensive hydrogen research and testing infrastructure to support and advance the sustainable structural change of industry and society towards climate neutrality (pg. 38). 
  • FOOD-RESCUE; a project which focuses on the development of a self-service trading platform with a logistics solution for foodstuffs to bring supply and demand together (pg.12). 

Find out more details about ongoing research work in the FHOÖ ‘Research Projects’ booklet. 

FHOÖ and the WTUN

Professor Michael Affenzeller, Provost, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

General Board Member: Professor Michael Affenzeller, Provost, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

Operational Board Member: Kamilla Trubicki, Head of International Office, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

FHOÖ, as a member, has been involved in several WTUN activities from hosting and sending staff for exchange, collaborating on themes such as: Human-Centered Computing and Data Visualisation; Medical Engineering for Medical Implants; Advanced Manufacturing and NanoTechnologies; Hydrogen Technologies. 

They have also deepened collaboration partnerships with WTUN-member colleagues outside of formal network activities including; FHOÖ student attending Suranaree University of Technology’s (SUT) Global Entrepreneurship Camp and Dr Sascha Senck delivering lessons to students at SUT. 

If you want to learn more about FHOÖ, you can view their Member Profile or read some recent stories shared via the WTUN News Roundup: 

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