Fresh, Innovative Minds – New Program Directors for the B.A. and M.A. in Business Administration and Business Psychology

The start of the new 2024/25 academic year will bring personnel changes at FERNFH’s Institute of Economics & Psychology. Dr. Julia Schöllbauer, BSc., MSc., will assume the position of program director for the Master’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology, and Ing. Günther Wenzel, BA, MA, will assume the position of program director for the Bachelor’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology.

After 16 years as program director ofthe Bachelor’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology, ^Prof.(FH) Mag.^Dr. Christa Walenta is passing the baton of program directorship to Ing. Günther Wenzel, BA MA. From the program’s introduction into FERNFH’s curriculum in 2009 until recently, Walenta has played a pivotal role in shaping the Bachelor’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology over the past years.

Focus on Digital Learning and Innovation

Wenzel has been with FERNFH since 2015 and, as an experienced instructor in the field of distance learning, brings valuable expertise to his new role. In his new position, he aims in particular to advance the further development of digital learning and teaching: “In my role as program director, I would like to continue promoting quality and innovation in the field of distance learning. Meeting the educational needs of our students is particularly important to me. Our teaching methods are practice-oriented and harness the potential of digital technologies. At a time when flexible and lifelong learning are becoming increasingly important, my goal is to provide our students with the best possible conditions so they can succeed in an increasingly digitized workplace.”

In 2017, Wenzel received the Teaching Award for Excellence in Distance Learning for his outstanding teaching at FERNFH, which underscores his high level of expertise in this field.

There is also a change in leadership forthe master’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology.Dr.^{Julia Schöllbauer}, BSc., MSc., will succeedProf. (FH) Mag. Dr. Herbert Schwarzenberger, who has served as program director since 2012 and played a key role in further developing the program.

The Master's Program Focuses on the Challenges of the Modern Workplace

Schöllbauer, who has been with the Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH since September 2023, brings expertise gained from her many years of work at Austrian universities. She is particularly concerned with the psychological aspects of new forms of work and the long-term preservation of workers’ health—even beyond retirement age. “I’m taking over an excellently designed degree program that examines current challenges in the modern workplace from two perspectives—business administration and business psychology. This is very important and makes the program something truly special,” explains Schöllbauer, adding regarding the MA in Business Administration & Business Psychology: “In particular, the master’s program offers students the opportunity to engage intensively with the dynamics of leadership and decision-making processes and optimally prepares them for forward-looking leadership roles. In addition, we place great emphasis on critical thinking and sound academic work.”

Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH looks forward to working with the new program directors and wishes them every success in their new roles.