Alumni gathering at the virtual campus of the FH Kufstein Tirol
On June 11, 2021, the graduates of the FH Kufstein Tirol did not have to go back to the campus in Kufstein but could connect live to the first virtual HomeComing. The HomeComing event has been a tradition at the University in Kufstein for over ten years. It offers former students the opportunity to return to campus.
Campus via live stream
At 7 p.m. Prof. (FH) Dr. Thomas Madritsch, managing director of the FH Kufstein Tirol, greeted the numerous alumni who were connected from Austria to Los Angeles to New Zealand via their mobile devices. Madritsch gave the former students an insight into the news on and around the campus and guided them virtually through the new building and the redesigned city park. "Every summer, I look forward to an intensive exchange with our now approximately 7,300 alumni. It is always exciting to learn about the unique career paths the individual students take upon graduation. That we continue to nurture our network enriches each and every one of us, including myself," says Prof. (FH) Dr. Thomas Madritsch.
The moderation of the virtual HomeComing was carried out by Mag. (FH) Elisabeth Kickenweitz, head of the Alumni & Career Service at the FH Kufstein Tirol. Mag. Kickenweitz led the guests through the evening and, together with FH Rector Prof. (FH) Dr. Mario Döller, presented the Alumni Award of 1,000 euros to Michael Struber, BA. Struber, a graduate of the Sports, Culture & Event Management bachelor's degree who now works as a project manager in an event agency, founded the "Taugl" network in his spare time. With the Alumni Award, Stauber plans to support two initiatives: the development of a new hiking trail for families in his hometown of St. Koloman and the development of a rulebook for traditional card games from St. Koloman. "We know that many of our alumni actively support social initiatives and make valuable contributions to society in their free time; this, we want to reward. We are already looking forward to numerous submissions for the Alumni Award 2022," explain Prof. (FH) Dr. Mario Döller and Mag. Elisabeth Kickenweitz at the award ceremony.
Transformation into the "new" world
Prof. (FH) Dr. Roman Stöger spoke in his short lecture about transformation management and the crisis due to the global pandemic. He explained that, from a business perspective, key questions need to be answered in order to direct the transformation and use it. He encouraged the alumni to act and emphasized that every crisis can also bring an opportunity.
Networking with interactive gin tasting
Following the official program of the virtual HomeComing, the participating alumni were invited to a joint gin tasting. The first 300 registrations for HomeComing had received a gin tasting set by mail and could enjoy it this HomeComing night together with their former study program colleagues and Mate Kende, cocktail professional from Cocktails & More.
"The virtual HomeComing was a great experience! With the interactive platform, it was easy to meet former colleagues and lecturers, have inspiring conversations, and share memories of the student days. It was great that the event could take place virtually," was the enthusiastic response from Magdalena Tschinder, BA (SKVMvzB16), who participated via her computer together with former study colleagues. Christoph Ott, BA (SKVMvzB17) adds: "HomeComing 2021 was a truly successful event. In addition to the exchange with lecturers and former fellow students, the highlight of the evening was the gin tasting."
Sponsors
The HomeComing event was again supported by corporate partners from the large network of the FH Kufstein Tirol.
"For me, it is a highlight every summer to return to the campus for HomeComing and to meet my college friends. So I was immediately involved in sponsoring this year's HomeComing event," said Fatih Uygun, BA, real estate agent and managing partner of the brokerage, one of several sponsors of HomeComing 2021.