The annual general meeting of the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association, held on 23 September at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) university campus, was characterised by a sense of harmony and satisfaction amongst attendees. The actions of the executive committee for its work in 2024 were approved by the general meeting in accordance with the statutes, and the committee was re-elected directly for a further term of three years. Consequently, Johann Kraus, the former head of the Rohde & Schwarz plant in Teisnach, has been appointed as the inaugural chairman. In addition, Treasurer Stefan Swihota and the four deputy chairmen, namely Dr. Christian Moser, Alexander Kaiß, Prof. Dr. Andreas Buske and Dipl.-Ing. Peter Radlsbeck, were also confirmed in office. Professor Waldemar Berg, the incumbent president of the university, represents the fifth member of the group of deputies by virtue of his office.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the evening's proceedings was the revelation that, despite the challenges posed by the Corona and post-Corona years, the membership of the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association never dipped below the crucial threshold of 500 individuals. Following a period of substantial growth, the Association has now once again surpassed that figure. The Chairman, Mr Kraus, emphasised the pivotal role of the Friends Association's members and their contributions in ensuring the success and efficacy of the organisation's endeavours within the university. In his financial report, Treasurer Swihota had previously highlighted the volatility of income from donations, contrasting this with the reliability of membership fees as a consistent source of financial support for the organisation's operations. In light of this, Kraus made an appeal to all members present, urging them to actively recruit new members from their respective networks of friends and colleagues. It was asserted that the university constitutes a significant economic catalyst within the region, meriting the active support of all stakeholders.

The President of DIT, Mr. Berg, delivered a rapid annual overview to his guests from the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association. The presentation was rich in success stories, both large and small. The general meeting concluded with three insights into the prevailing academic environment at the university. Professor Sabine Wiesend of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Media Technology delivered a report on 'Flight into Shadow', a student lighting technology project that was exhibited this year at the Architecture Biennale in Venice – one of the most significant events in the world of architecture. Professor Dr.-Ing. Niklas Urban not only provided a comprehensive insight into the intricacies of the automation and robotics laboratory, but also facilitated a discourse on the future of these fields. The presentation comprised a series of images intended to convey the current state of the field of robotics. In addition, the speaker reported that students enrolled in the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Industrial Engineering are being trained in accordance with the latest developments in the field. Finally, Annika Schickle, a physician assistant student at the Faculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences, delivered a speech in which she articulated her personal experience of education at the university and reported on the opportunities available to students in her position. These range from participation in humanitarian missions in Uganda and attendance at international conferences to exchange programmes with prestigious Ivy League universities in the USA.

The possession of transformative power is of paramount importance. This approach facilitates not only adaptation, but also active rethinking – of solutions, systems and oneself. The Future Skills Alumni Conference, which was held from 18 to 20 September at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT), was dedicated to this area of expertise. Eighteen alumni from universities within the HEROES Alliance delivered presentations.  

The event focused on the subjects of judgement and digital ethics, innovation and change competence, as well as meaning orientation and start-up competence. The alumni imparted their expertise and personal experiences with practical examples, including the role of civil engineering in the energy transition, cybersecurity in healthcare, and the comparison between humans and artificial intelligence.

The event focused on the subjects of judgement and digital ethics, innovation and change management, as well as purpose orientation and start-up skills. The alumni imparted their expertise and personal experiences with practical examples from their careers, including the role of civil engineering in the energy transition, cybersecurity in healthcare, and the comparison between humans and artificial intelligence.

All speakers successfully completed their studies at a university within the HEROES Alliance, a transnational coalition of higher education institutions with a commitment to enhancing the resilience of individuals, businesses and nature in the region. The THD, represented at the conference by 16 alumni, has been an official member of the newly founded alliance since 2025. The contributions of the alumni serve to enhance knowledge transfer within the international university network, thereby promoting the development of transformative skills that enable active participation in shaping the future.

The presentations were streamed live and subsequently recorded. These are now available for viewing on the internet at th-deg.de/alumni-konferenz.

About the Future Skills Alumni Conference

The conference was held as part of the "European University Networks (EUN) – National Initiative" programme. The programme is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The strategic partnership between Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT), the WURI Foundation (World’s Universities with Real Impact), and the Institute for Nation Brand Promotion was officially launched on 26 June with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Deggendorf Institute of Technology. As part of this cooperation, DIT will host the prestigious WURI Global Conference in September 2026.

In addition to the ceremonial signing of the agreement, an initial planning meeting was held in Deggendorf to discuss key organisational and thematic aspects of the event. The MoU was signed by Prof. Waldemar Berg, President of Deggendorf Institute of Technology, together with South Korean representatives Prof. Dr. Dong-sung Cho, Founder of the WURI Foundation, Jeong-wan Cho, CEO of the WURI Foundation, and Prof. Dr. Jin-suk Kim, President of the Institute for Nation Brand Promotion.

The WURI Global Board selected Deggendorf Institute of Technology as host in recognition of its consistently high performance in the WURI Rankings. Following its top placements in recent years – ahead of renowned institutions such as Berkeley, Princeton and Chicago – this latest recognition highlights DIT’s standing as a globally active, innovation-driven university once again. Furthermore, the MoU reflects the strategic importance of transnational networks and DIT’s commitment to advancing global higher education.

The international academic forum is expected to attract around 300 representatives from universities and organisations across the globe to Deggendorf in September 2026. The South Korean partners will be in charge of attracting participants and developing the conference programme, while DIT, as the local event organiser, will oversee the on-site management. The conference aims to connect innovative universities worldwide and set new benchmarks for assessing their societal impact, innovative strength and entrepreneurial responsibility. In addition, the event seeks to enhance the visibility and reputation of all participating institutions in the long term.