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Press Release

Alumni Award of FHWien der WKW Presented Twice for the First Time

November 29, 2021

Peter Skerlan, CFO at Frequentis, was honored in the “Professional Achievements” category and Maximilian Unger of TheVentury in the “Shaping the Future” category.

Vienna, November 29, 2021 – FHWien der WKW stands for continuous career development and innovation. This is demonstrated by the winners of the Alumni Award, which the university of applied sciences specializing in management and communication presented for the 14th time this year. For the first time, the award was given in two categories.

Award for professionals and executives

The award in the “Professional Achievements” category honors (future) professionals and managers who achieve national or international success in their industry or field of activity.

The winner in this category in 2021 is Peter Skerlan. He graduated from FHWien der WKW with a degree in Entrepreneurship. While still a student, he joined Frequentis AG as a business controller. After holding various positions within the company, he now holds the position of CFO. He is responsible for all financial departments, human resources, and other central services such as IT and legal at the Austrian global market leader.

Challenging studies paid off

“Without my studies at FHWien der WKW, I would not be where I am today,” explained Peter Skerlan on the occasion of his honoring with the Alumni Award. “A lot was demanded of us during the part-time studies – it was the first year of the Entrepreneurship study program. However, it paid off. I was able to make contacts that have helped me advance professionally.”

Award for particularly innovative alumni

The “Shaping the Future” category honors graduates whose thinking and actions provide forward-looking answers to urgent questions of our time.

The first winner in this category is Maximilian Unger. He completed the Master’s study program in Marketing & Sales Management at FHWien der WKW. Parallel to his part-time studies, he worked in a digital consultancy on the topics of digital transformation and innovation as well as communication. In 2017, Unger joined TheVentury as a partner. The innovation agency helps start-ups and established organizations to realize their ideas.

“At FHWien curricula are constantly being developed”

“The practical relevance of FHWien der WKW was the decisive factor for me to apply for a place here,” Maximilian Unger looks back. “Then putting the theory I learned directly into practice and learning from practitioners how things really work still gives me a boost in many situations today.” Through his studies, he was able to build up a large network, but also many friendships that accompany him to this day, Unger continues. “It’s especially nice to see that at FHWien curricula are constantly being developed and adapted to the needs of the job market.”

High practical relevance in studies as a recipe for success

FHWien der WKW has already brought up more than 12,700 graduates in the 27 years of its existence. For many, their studies laid the foundation for careers at home and abroad. “The fact that many of our graduates are so successful in their careers makes us very proud,” says Michael Heritsch, CEO of FHWien der WKW. He describes the high level of practical relevance of the training as a recipe for success: “Two thirds of our lecturers come directly from the business world. The companies appreciate the practical academic training that our students receive,” Heritsch continues.

Photos to download:

Peter Skerlan, CFO of Frequentis, accepted the Alumni Award in the category “Professional Achievements” from Michael Heritsch, CEO of FHWien der WKW.
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Copyright: Adrian Almasan

Maximilian Unger of TheVentury received FHWien der WKW’s Alumni Award in the category “Shaping the Future”.
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Copyright: Markus Hechenberger

FHWien der WKW
University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication 

FHWien der WKW has been Austria’s leading university of applied sciences for management & communication for over 25 years. Working in close contact with Austrian corporations, FHWien der WKW offers comprehensive and practice-oriented academic programs to over 2,800 Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Two thirds of our teaching staff have a background in business. Our programs are tailored to the needs of companies, optimally preparing our graduates – around 12,700 to date – for their future careers.

Contact:

Bernhard Witzeling
Head of Corporate Communication, Marketing and Alumni & Career Services, Press Officer
Tel.: +43 (1) 476 77-5733
presse@fh-wien.ac.at