The forward thinker

When you started working at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences in 1997, what memories do you have of it?

Heidrun Schöch: My position was advertised as "Program Controlling and Management Assistant". I didn't know what was meant by course controlling at the time, but it sounded exciting (laughs). The core of my tasks was to develop the evaluation of courses, prepare and carry out the external evaluation of degree programs and the university as a whole. In addition, the development, implementation and analysis of surveys.  

Did you take on a pioneering role with this task?

Heidrun Schöch: I was the first quality manager in the Austrian university of applied sciences sector. There is now a separate department for quality management at every university of applied sciences, which is staffed by several people. The position was a future job, so to speak, and was fun right from the start. Shortly afterwards, the construction agendas were added.  

What projects have you completed as a construction manager since then?

Heidrun Schöch: From 1997 to 1999, the renovation of the building in Achstraße was on the agenda. The refurbishment had already begun in 1995 and was supervised by a member of the university staff until then. This was followed by the conversion of the rented premises in Sägerstraße 4. Together with a project team, a standardized requirements plan for the extension of the Hochschulstraße site was drawn up for the first time in 2001. The ground-breaking ceremony took place in 2002 and we celebrated the official opening on November 7, 2005 - a short construction period considering the size and complex requirements.  

Then there was a need for further construction due to the growth of the FHV?

Heidrun Schöch: In 2015, further needs planning was carried out, which was then followed by a feasibility study: resulting in the addition of a storey to the existing building at the Hochschulstraße site (phase 1) and the construction of a new building at the Achstraße site as well as the general refurbishment of the existing buildings at this site (phase 2). Despite the pandemic and the associated challenges, such as new hygiene standards that had to be complied with and delivery difficulties, the extension in Hochschulstrasse was completed on schedule. We are now in the final spurt of the second phase: the new building with Wing G and Wing E were ready for use in the summer of 2024. The renovation of wing D was completed at the beginning of 2024. Wing C will be ready for occupancy at the end of 2024 and Wings A and B in mid-2025.  

What were the criteria for the structural additions and conversions?

Heidrun Schöch: The users were always involved; most recently in a systematic participation process with the aim of defining how the university will "tick" in the future with regard to the educational offer, the research landscape, digitalization and new forms of work. Each location has a thematic focus: the Hochschulstraße location has a technical focus with engineering and information sciences. The thematic focus at the Achstraße location is Design, Social and Health. The subject focus at the Sägerstraße location is economics. All locations are within walking distance. The entire campus will be completed in the second half of 2025.  

The planning is a complex matter?

Heidrun Schöch: Serious and sustainable requirements planning is an important basis for further planning. The conception, detailed elaboration and realization is a much more complex service, which is provided by many specialist planning departments - above all the architectural offices - and professional project management. Within the FHV, the "Infrastructure" and "Information Services" departments in particular are also intensively involved in this task, both in the planning and implementation phases. And last but not least, the FHV colleagues have had to relocate again and again over the years. It is estimated that at least three quarters of the colleagues have been relocating over the past four years.  

It is not only in the area of infrastructure that the FHV has developed since its beginnings?

Heidrun Schöch: The basis for the expansion of the infrastructure is the development of study and research activities. When I started work in spring 1997, there were three diploma degree programmes and more were added. The Bologna conversion took place in 2004 and the first research strategy was finalized. Today, with 25 study programs in four departments and seven research centres and groups, we have a very broad base and offer an excellent infrastructure for study and research.  

In your role as Quality Manager - what are the goals?

Heidrun Schöch: It's about planning and implementing effective measures for quality assurance and development. In order to make statements about the quality of teaching, KPIs (= key performance indicators) are collected, which in turn form the basis for the further development of teaching. Another task is process management. We have defined the main procedures of our organization, which are subject to a continuous improvement process (= CIP).  

You will soon have been working at the FHV for 30 years. What makes the university stand out as an employer?

Heidrun Schöch: The workplace itself is unique. There is a wealth of expertise at the university that can be put to good use on various issues - including organizational ones. The colleagues are highly motivated for their tasks and the interaction with each other is based on appreciation and collegiality.  

What characterizes the FHV?

Heidrun Schöch: The university is rather small in terms of the number of students and can often act more flexibly than larger universities. Of course, what distinguishes a university in general is the promotion of young academics within the framework of career models.  

What do you wish for the FHV in the next 30 years?

Heidrun Schöch: That it continues to develop well, remains open to change and ideally anticipates the future. By that I mean remaining flexible in terms of content. The FHV should remain a personal university for students and continue to offer excellent programs and research. It is important to promote the transfer of knowledge from research to society. I hope that my colleagues enjoy coming to work at this special place and are proud of their university.

Thank you very much for the interview.  

Key data on the buildings (the rented space at the Sägerstrasse location is not included in the following list) Year