"It is a corporate culture of togetherness"

Regine Kadgien completed her doctorate with distinction in Telematics at Graz University of Technology in 2002 and then started as a lecturer in Computer Science at the FHV. Just one year later, the Vorarlberg native took over the position of programme director. At the same time, she became a member of the faculty. In 2005, she was appointed professor at the University of Applied Sciences, and from 2006 to 2011, the Koblach native was Vice Rector.

The 53-year-old is an expert on the European Higher Education Area and has been responsible for teaching and examinations at the FHV since 2016. In 2022, the Alberschwender-by-choice was awarded the Great Medal of Merit of the State of Vorarlberg - for her services to awakening enthusiasm for Engineering and Technology and Computer Science in young people. This was followed by her inclusion on the jury for the Science Prize of the State of Vorarlberg. Regine Kadgien, who has worked at the FHV for 22 years, in an interview about the strengths of the university, its goals and upcoming challenges.  

What characterizes the FHV, what do you see as its strengths?

Regine Kadgien: It is a corporate culture of cooperation across all departments. This allows everyone to contribute and implement good ideas. That has always been the case here. We benefit from this today in the area of internationalization, for example. As a founding member of the RUN-EU university alliance, we are a European university, which benefits students, lecturers, research and all employees.  

What goals are you focusing on in your role as Head of the College?

Regine Kadgien: Together with the faculty, we are continuously developing the study programs to meet current requirements and ensure the highest teaching standards in the long term. My goal is to achieve a high level of satisfaction among both students and lecturers, which ultimately also provides positive impetus for Business and Management and society. I would like to push ahead with the integration of our university alliance RUN-EU into regular operations. I am also committed to strengthening collegial exchange, establishing innovative teaching formats and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.  

What challenges do you face along the way?

Regine Kadgien: We are a university with strong regional roots and an international focus at the same time. Our aim is to develop programs that impress with their modern content and thus ensure their attractiveness for our students. A particular focus is on teaching future skills. I am also devoting more attention to the topic of examinations, as they are becoming increasingly important: On the one hand as an instrument for quality assurance of training standards, and on the other as valuable feedback in self-directed learning processes. In addition, I would like to further expand asynchronous teaching and systematically drive forward the digitalization of courses and internal processes.

You have been working at the FHV for 22 years. How do you benefit from these many years of experience in your new role as Head of Faculty?

Regine Kadgien: Through my role as process manager for teaching and examinations, I am familiar with the requirements of all degree programmes. I am involved in numerous committees and projects and am very well networked within the university. I also have many years of experience in dealing with students. I have a very good knowledge of the Universities of Applied Sciences Act and the University Quality Assurance Act, which supports the modernization of study programmes. My training in Computer Science qualifies me for the further orientation for the IT strategy that we need for digitization in teaching.  

Thank you very much for the interview.