Regions where universities, industry and public sector bodies work closely together and tailor educational programmes specifically to the needs of industry are particularly successful. Dual study programmes make an important contribution to this by providing practical training for skilled workers whilst also promoting innovation and regional growth.
As part of our second EU4Dual Industry Forum on 7 May 2026 at the Pankl Academy, we joined forces with the municipality of Kapfenberg and regional companies to present current initiatives and discuss with key stakeholders how targeted cooperation between universities and industry can provide sustainable impetus for Austria’s second-largest industrial region. Participants included HR managers and decision-makers from regionally based and internationally active companies.
Following a brief welcome by Kapfenberg’s Mayor Matthäus Bachernegg and Roswitha Wiedenhofer-Bornemann, authorised signatory at FH JOANNEUM and EU4Dual project manager, the two new EU4Dual Master’s programmes – Digital and Sustainable Manufacturing Engineering and Green Economy and Sustainable Future – were presented by the heads of the programme development team. A key feature of these two dual degree programmes is their close integration with companies in the region and the significant proportion of learning that takes place in the workplace for students outside the university.
To kick off the round-table discussion, Georg Wagner, former head of the Institute of Applied Production Sciences at FH JOANNEUM, gave an opening statement on the key features of a dual study programme and the associated economic benefits for a region such as Kapfenberg. Having been involved in dual study programmes at FH JOANNEUM for 25 years, he was able to offer unique personal insights as a ‘founding father’ of the scheme.
Harald Egger, Head of HR at Pankl Racing Systems, explained that successful and innovative companies should continue to cooperate with universities and train students even in times of crisis, as this represents an investment in the future and the students are largely integrated into the company as long-term employees. Pankl has always relied on international expertise and is therefore an enthusiastic partner of EU4Dual.
Jochen Werderitsch, Managing Director of Obersteierstark, presented a number of initiatives that support sustainable regional development in eastern Upper Styria. In close consultation with regional policy-makers (primarily local authorities), measures are being implemented to make the region more attractive and attract skilled workers to the area, to initiate exchange programmes, or to accelerate the networking of the right stakeholders in the region.
This was supplemented by input from Thomas Schaffer-Leitner, Head of Location Management for the Municipality of Kapfenberg and the new Chair of the EU4Dual Regional Consultative Council. He outlined the efforts of the Municipality of Kapfenberg to develop the town into a vibrant and innovative student hub, to attract and retain international students and skilled workers in the long term, and to contribute to successful match-making between FH JOANNEUM and companies in the region. This was demonstrated in practical terms, among other things, by the joint organisation of the Industry Forum.
Martin Tschandl, Head of the Industrial Management Institute at FH JOANNEUM and Head of the Smart Production Lab in Kapfenberg, was able to share some best practices as a role model on the topic of the ‘Regional Impact Factor’, outlining what is needed for a university to achieve the greatest possible impact for successful regional development. In his view, there are several key conditions for the successful transition of university graduates into industry, such as continuous cooperation already during their studies, close integration of research activities between the university and industry – as seen in the Smart Production Lab – and close collaboration regarding the attractiveness of the region as a place to live and work, even beyond the specific thematic focus.
Following the interactive discussion, the participants continued their discussions at a networking event held in the impressive premises of the Pankl Academy, where they began to discuss new joint ideas and initiatives.
