The first graduates
The strongly internationally oriented degree programme started in autumn 2018, the province of Lower Austria supported its implementation at the time with 2.4 million euros. In the summer of 2021, the 15 freshly graduated alumni include eight men and seven women, who come, for example, from Portugal, Russia, Cameroon and the Austrian provinces.
The Lower Austrians among the new graduates come from the districts of Krems, Hollabrunn, Klosterneuburg, Tulln and St. Pölten.
Programme Director Prof.(FH) Priv.-Doz. DI Dr. Uwe Rinner is delighted: “Three years ago, we started this modern degree programme with the vision of training the chemical specialists of the future. Today we can present the first graduates, who, in addition to well-founded general chemical knowledge, also have competences in the IT field and are already urgently needed by the chemical industry. I congratulate the graduates and wish them all the best for their future!”
IMC Krems Managing Director Dr. Karl Ennsfellner is also more than satisfied: “We are very pleased that the first Applied Chemistry cohort was able to complete their studies. I also congratulate them warmly. In addition, we are also delighted that another 15 new study places in Applied Chemistry have been promised to us by the federal government, which illustrates the importance of education for scientific professions.”
Applied Chemistry: innovative and international
The English-language bachelor degree programme Applied Chemistry was launched at IMC Krems three years ago and is considered a direct response to the changing requirements profile for chemical specialists. In addition to sound chemical training and modern computer-based methods, the use of renewable raw materials as well as recycling and utilisation of waste materials are also important components. So-called green chemistry deals with environmental protection issues and is about containing pollution, saving energy and producing as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. Here, for example, work is being done on the transnational REEGAIN project, whose research goal is to recycle rare earths without environmentally harmful waste.
New course: Surface Technology
The good establishment of the Applied Chemistry programme now even makes it possible to offer a course in the field of materials and surface chemistry. This course, “Surface Technology”, was planned jointly by Uwe Rinner, head of the Applied Chemistry programme, in cooperation with the Austrian Chemical Industry Association (FCIO) and is an attractive offer for students and experts from the chemical industry. Head of the Institute of Biotechnology and the Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology programme, Prof.(FH) Priv.-Doz. Harald Hundsberger: “I would like to congratulate the first graduates of Applied Chemistry. At the same time, I am pleased that we will start the Surface Technology course for the first time next week. The close cooperation of our institute with industry and business is essential for the very good job prospects nationally and internationally.”
“The bachelor programme in Applied Chemistry is the first technical FH programme of its kind and, with a solid chemical education and offerings in related fields (biosciences, pharmaceutical chemistry and life sciences) and the transfer of knowledge in the field of digitalisation, offers students the ideal preparation for the national and international job market. We are very proud that we can already congratulate our first graduates this year,” concludes the Academic Director of IMC Krems, Prof.(FH) Mag. Dr. Martin Waiguny.
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