As part of the ‘Academia and Economic Resilience – What role do Academics Play?’ online webinar which took place on 19th May 20201, the good practice “Softwarepark Hagenberg” was presented by Michael Affenzeller, Scientific Head of Softwarepark Hagenberg and Vice-Dean for R&D at the School of Informatics Hagenberg. In his intervention, Mr Affenzeller focused on the special features of the Softwarepark Hagenberg.
Softwarepark Hagenberg (SCWP) www.softwarepark-hagenberg.com/en/ is a research, training and business location. Financed by the Upper Austrian provincial government, Hagenberg Castle, located in an economically weak rural region in the middle of the Mühlviertel, was renovated and Softwarepark Hagenberg was founded 30 years ago as a spin-off of the Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU). The concept, developed by Prof. Dr. Buchberger, was to create a center of excellence for software and IT, which not only closely links research, companies and education on the subject, but also unites them in this one place. At present, a total of 11 research institutes, 24 training programs and over 75 commercial enterprises are located here.
The synergetic interaction of research, education and business was and is the basis for the success of the Softwarepark. Currently, the driving force in the interaction of these elements is the fact that high-quality graduates are entering the market in high quantity at SWPH. This attracts renowned software houses and research institutions, which in turn strengthens the attractiveness of the location for very good students. The many years of experience in the interaction of research, education and business leads to a deep synergy and fusion. Graduates become experts and bosses, pass on their experience as part-time teachers, students are involved in research and business projects at an early stage and stay at the location.
However, since this information is often only known to insiders, it is important to go to the media public as well as to schools with success stories in order to ensure that there are enough young academics.
