Exchanging ideas, consolidating and celebrating collaboration - this was the purpose of the meeting between representatives of Landshut University of Applied Sciences and xpecto AG. The young scientist present, Dr Alexander Wallis, has been working at xpecto AG and Landshut University of Applied Sciences since February 2024, thus bridging the gap between business and research. In the tandem model, he occupies the second of a total of six W1 junior professorships that Landshut University of Applied Sciences is currently establishing for the successful recruitment and further qualification of young professors. This is part of the "LA-Proof" project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.
Strong practical partners for outstanding education at Landshut University of Applied Sciences
University President Prof. Dr Fritz Pörnbacher expressed the importance of this event at the joint cooperation meeting: "There are special requirements for an HAW professorship, as practical experience is essential for entry. There are numerous researchers with potential, but who do not yet fulfil all the requirements."
In order to become a professor, young academics must generally either have a doctorate or professional experience outside of higher education. The missing qualification can be acquired as part of a W1 junior professorship. Landshut University of Applied Sciences thus facilitates the path to a professorship for researchers and creates the best possible framework conditions for students, together with strong practice partners, in the appropriate subject area.
Working together for Lower Bavaria as a business location
Harald Elsperger, CEO of xpecto AG, expressed his thanks for the festive reception and emphasised the benefits of the collaboration for xpecto AG: "With 69 employees, we are more of a smaller company. We are very pleased with the co-operation that has developed within the framework of the junior professorship. Theses, case studies in IT consulting and other exciting projects with students have already been developed in advance." The junior professorship is therefore not only an excellent opportunity to create optimal conditions for the academic career path for students at Landshut University of Applied Sciences, but also to counteract the shortage of skilled labour in Lower Bavaria as a business location.
Junior professorship closes gap in academic career path
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Wunderlich, head of the degree programme at the Faculty of Computer Science and mentor to Alexander Wallis, confirmed this: "Many alumni from my field have already joined xpecto in recent years. It is therefore all the more pleasing that Mr Wallis, as a scientist and junior professor, is now also working there. This closes the gap in the academic career path with the W1 junior professorship. Until now, Landshut University of Applied Sciences has often complained about a lack of applicants for professorships, particularly in the field of computer science. Many graduates take the direct route into industry and are therefore no longer available for academia.
Getting a taste of teaching and practice as a W1 junior professor
With Alexander Wallis, Landshut University of Applied Sciences now has another motivated junior employee who is actively involved in teaching courses in the field of "Artificial Intelligence for Smart Grids" at the Faculty of Computer Science. Wallis works on research tasks and publishes the resulting findings. In addition, he receives various further training and support offers in the LAnding qualification programme, tailored to his individual needs. Wallis works part-time at xpecto AG, developing a training programme using artificial intelligence (AI) and testing the use of AI methods for the implementation of a chatbot to further expand customer support.
Win-win for everyone involved
"After my studies, I increasingly missed the scientific work in my job as a software developer. That's why it was relatively easy for me to decide to start a doctorate. I took on various teaching assignments and quickly realised that I really enjoy teaching," says Alexander Wallis, delighted with his step towards becoming a junior professor.
He can now pass on his personal experience himself: At xpecto AG, the young scientist supervises working students and interns from Landshut University of Applied Sciences and thus accompanies them on their own academic career path. A win-win situation for xpecto AG, Landshut University of Applied Sciences and especially for its students.
Photo: Landshut University of Applied Sciences / Kerstin Isabella Marx
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