University meets Industry: Talents for Carinthia continues to thrive

Helge BauerOn 5 November 2025, the University of Klagenfurt hosted the second edition of University meets Industry: Talents for Carinthia. This joint initiative by the Faculty of Technical Sciences and the Federation of Austrian Industries Carinthia (IV) brings together students, researchers, and companies to strengthen collaboration between science and industry and to build new bridges for future joint projects.

Around 100 participants – including representatives from nearly 20 Carinthian industrial companies, as well as numerous students and lecturers from technical disciplines – took the opportunity to network, explore avenues for cooperation, and gain insights into current fields of research and development.
Driving innovation through cooperation: networking for the future

Here in Carinthia, we are working to create a strong ecosystem for innovation. All the ingredients for a vibrant hub of knowledge and ideas are in place. Innovation will flourish if we continue to organise events that bring together all the key players. This is a valuable investment in our shared future,

explained Rector Ada Pellert, who opened the event.
Claudia Mischensky, Managing Director of the Federation of Austrian Industries Carinthia, went on to highlight the importance of industry for the regional economy and shared insights into recent developments at member companies. She emphasised that formats such as University meets Industry make a significant contribution to fostering dialogue between research and industry and to strengthening innovative collaboration in Carinthia.
Clemens Heuberger, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, added:

To address the shortage of skilled workers in Carinthian industry, it is crucial to retain graduates in the region after they complete their studies. Close collaboration during their studies, for example through Master’s theses, practical placements, or joint research projects, is a key factor in achieving this.

During the event, Heuberger presented the faculty, its research priorities and study programmes – including the degree programmes in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence and in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.
 
Research highlights and innovative projects
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the University of Klagenfurt’s Department of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity’s participation in the FWF Excellence Cluster ‘Bilateral AI’. Gerhard Friedrich, a member of the cluster’s executive board, outlines the ambitious goal of developing what is known as ‘broad AI’ – a combination of symbolic and sub-symbolic artificial intelligence.
In addition, several collaborative research projects between the faculty and industry partners were presented:

  • DORBINE (with AIR6 Systems): AI-controlled drone swarms for automated inspection of wind turbines to optimise maintenance processes and reduce downtime.
  • TOMAiTO (with Frutura and Avemoy): Development of intelligent drone and sensor systems for automated greenhouse monitoring to enable sustainable and resource-efficient food production.
  • Cooperation with Alias Robotics: Development of an agent-based AI framework for automated safety analysis of robot systems.
  • Cooperation with KAI: Optimisation of complex planning processes in semiconductor production – a prime example of the close link between academic education and industrial research.

Awards for outstanding achievements
The Best Performer Awards 2024/2025 were presented nine recipients during a festive ceremony. The awards were jointly sponsored by the Faculty of Technical Sciences and the Friends of the Technical Faculty (FTF) and presented by Michael Kollienz (Raiffeisenlandesbank Kärnten and Chairman of the FTF) and Bernhard Rinner, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences. The prizes recognise outstanding academic achievements in the technical and teacher training programmes.
The Roland Mittermeir Prize 2024 for the best Master’s thesis was awarded to Maik Fichtenkamm – another joint award from the Faculty of Technical Sciences and the Förderverein Technische Fakultät. For the first time, the Faculty of Technical Sciences also awarded the 2024/2025 Dissertation Prize for the best doctoral thesis. This prize went to Nunzio Alexandro Letizia.
Networking for Carinthia’s future
Moderated by the initiators, Wolfgang Pucher (IV Carinthia) and Clemens Heuberger (University of Klagenfurt), the event offered not only stimulating technical insights but also valuable opportunities for personal interaction. During the concluding networking session, students and company representatives exchanged ideas about collaborations, internships, project work, and career prospects.
With University meets Industry: Talents for Carinthia, the Faculty of Technical Sciences and the Carinthian Federation of Industry are sending a strong signal for the future of Carinthia as a centre of science and business.

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