In addition to ecological challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, social and societal aspects also play a central role in a sustainable future. Often, the social dimension of sustainability is neglected, yet it is just as important for creating a fair and inclusive society.

What does social sustainability mean?

Social sustainability refers to the strengthening of principles of justice, equality, and solidarity in society. It aims to improve the quality of life for all people and ensure that basic needs such as education, health, decent work, and social participation are met.

Living sustainable equal opportunities

With our new project "Women's Initiative for Organization, Network, and Training at FH CAMPUS 02 (FIONA)," we aim to focus on promoting gender equality (SDG 5) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

FIONA aims to spark girls' interest in technology and facilitate the entry of female freshmen into technical studies. With a diverse program, we want to accompany young women from the start on their path to technical studies, support them during their studies, and empower them by networking among each other.

Dieses “Zusammentun” beginnt bereits im Projektteam, das ausschließlich weibliche FH CAMPUS 02 Mitarbeiterinnen umfasst. Das ist aber auch schon unsere einzige Gemeinsamkeit, denn ansonsten ist das Projektteam einerseits fachlich interdisziplinär mit den drei unterschiedlichen technischen Studiengängen der FH CAMPUS 02 (Automation Technology, Innovation Management, IT & Business Informatics) aufgestellt. Andererseits vereinen Assistentinnen in Forschung und Lehre, Projektleiterinnen, Office-Mitarbeiterinnen, hauptberuflich Lehrende sowie unsere Geschäftsführerin ihre Kompetenzen, um Mädchen und jungen Frauen auf deren Bedürfnisse maßgeschneiderte Angebote bereitzustellen.

The measures implemented within the framework of FIONA range from pre-study coaching and TechDays for female students to student empowerment activities such as a learning café and an online learning platform, as well as networking meetings and get-together events. All measures are united in our mission: "Start boldly, learn strongly, and create connections."

Taking the first steps

Das unser FIONA-Programm gut ankommt, hat sich bereits im Rahmen der TechDays gezeigt, die von 17. – 20. Juni stattfanden. In diesen Sommerschnuppertagen konnten 13 Schülerinnen des Akademischen Gymnasiums der oberen Schulstufe einen Einblick in die Welt des Innovationsmanagements, der Automation Technology und der IT & Business Informatics erlangen. Konkret nahmen die Schülerinnen an Workshops zu folgenden Themen teil:

• Innovate: In this workshop, the students learned how to generate new ideas through creativity techniques, ensuring that innovations are no longer left to chance.
• Develop: This workshop provided a taste of the basics of construction, manufacturing technology, rapid prototyping, and robotics, culminating in taking home a self-developed mini-robot.
• Programming: The difference between programming and machine learning and how to train and use AI in an application was learned in this workshop in a playful manner.

With this exemplary feedback, "Thank you for everything, it was a lot of fun," from one student, it is clear: The first TechDays were a great success!

For more information about the FIONA project, feel free to visit our website: Project FIONA – FH CAMPUS 02.

LEA – Let’s empower Austria

Österreichischer Fonds zur Stärkung

und Förderung von Frauen und Mädchen