From April 24 to 26, 2025, FH CAMPUS 02 opened its doors to the world, turning into a vibrant stage for international collaboration and dialogue. This year’s International Days took place under the inspiring theme „Global Graduates: Mapping Career Journeys Around the World“, highlighting the diverse paths that graduates take into the global job market – and the challenges they encounter along the way, especially for women navigating international industries.
Hosted by the Department of Automation Technology, the event featured a captivating program including four alumni of the Departments Automation Technology and IT & Business Informatics, who now work in various international sectors – from IT security and battery recycling to autonomous driving and quantum computing. In insightful keynotes and a panel discussion, they shared their personal stories of building global careers, offering reflections on cultural differences, obstacles, the emotional ups and downs of international mobility, and the skills needed to succeed across borders.
Michael Kröpfl, Principal Computer Vision Scientist at NVIDIA Automotive in California, USA, is working at the forefront of self-driving vehicle technologies. His talk highlighted how cutting-edge research and international collaboration are key to shaping the future of mobility.
Verena Fuchs, Senior Manager in Industrial Engineering at cylib GmbH in Germany, is deeply involved in the rapidly evolving field of battery recycling. Her story showcased how sustainable innovation and engineering excellence can pave the way for a greener, more circular global economy.
Florian Neukart is a Chief Product Officer at Terra Quantum AG in San Francisco, USA. As a leading voice in quantum computing and astrophysics, he demonstrated how research, tech leadership, and entrepreneurship intersect in an international career that spans both academia and industry.
Bettina Brandl, Senior Advisor at TCSS Trusted Cyber Security Solutions GmbH, brought deep insights from her work in IT security and operations. She spoke candidly about navigating a male-dominated field, the value of resilience, and the importance of digital trust in a globally connected world.
The evening was expertly moderated by Katharina Knittelfelder (Head of Shared Services – Group Supply Chain, Andritz AG) and Wolfgang Lienhart (LEANheart Solution Consulting), who guided the audience through an evening full of creativity, inspiration, and engaging conversation. The event concluded with an international networking buffet that brought together students, faculty, and guests for informal exchanges and new connections.
In addition to the main stage program, numerous international lecturers were invited to CAMPUS 02 and delivered guest lectures throughout the entire week. These sessions provided our regular students with direct exposure to global expertise, new academic perspectives, and fresh ideas from different cultural and professional backgrounds – all within their regular courses.
A warm thank-you goes to our speakers, the organizers, and the live music band Annagramm, all of whom helped make the International Days 2025 a remarkable success. Events like these highlight the importance of international learning experiences – and remind us how valuable global thinking is in shaping the careers of tomorrow.