Since September 1, he has been leading the University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication. Dr. Stephan Gasser brings leadership experience from both the higher education and private sectors.
Wien, September 4, 2025 – Austria’s leading university of applied sciences for management and communication has a new Chief Executive Officer as of September 1, 2025: Dr. Stephan Gasser, who holds a doctorate in social and economic sciences, now heads FHWien der WKW and its subsidiary FHW Education & Management GmbH. A native of Vienna with Carinthian roots, Gasser possesses a broad range of professional expertise bridging business and academia. In recent years, he served as co-founder and managing director of a financial services provider. Prior to that, he held positions as Assistant Professor and Head of Institute at universities and universities of applied sciences in Austria.
Academic Expertise Meets Entrepreneurial Practice
“We are delighted to welcome Stephan Gasser as CEO, someone who combines academic expertise with entrepreneurial practice,” says Barbara Kluger-Schieder, Head of Educational Management at the Vienna Economic Chamber (WKW) and Chair of the Advisory Board of FHWien der WKW. “Thanks to his many years of teaching and research at universities as well as his experience as co-founder and managing director in the private sector, he has the ideal skill set to successfully continue developing FHWien der WKW.”
Fresh Impulses for an Established University
Stephan Gasser looks forward to his new role with enthusiasm and confidence: “FHWien der WKW is a well-established institution in Austria’s educational landscape, distinguished by its close ties to business. Its practice-oriented study programs open excellent career opportunities for students. In my new role, I see it as my central task to continue along this proven path. At the same time, I want to bring fresh momentum to successfully lead our university of applied sciences into a future shaped by profound changes in technology, the world of work, and society. I am very much looking forward to working with the experienced team at FHWien der WKW.”
Focus on Finance, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Gasser earned his Master’s degree at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna) and the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in Finance and Entrepreneurship. At WU Vienna, he completed his doctorate in social and economic sciences at the Institute for Finance, Banking and Insurance. His academic focus and research publications center on crypto-economics, responsible finance, and mergers and acquisitions.
His academic career includes positions at IMC Krems and WU Vienna, where he worked as Head of Institute and Assistant Professor of Finance. He also worked part-time as an external lecturer. In the private sector, he gained extensive experience as co-founder and managing director of FINcredible GmbH, Austria’s first account information service provider registered with the FMA. At the fintech company, he was responsible for organizational and strategy development, product management, operations, and key account acquisition.
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Dr. Stephan Gasser has been the new CEO of FHWien der WKW since September 1, 2025.
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FHWien der WKW – University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication
FHWien der WKW is Austria’s leading university of applied sciences for management and communication. Its Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs offer around 2,900 students a practical academic education. Two-thirds of the lecturers come directly from the business world. The close cooperation with local companies in teaching and research prepares students optimally for their careers. Since its foundation in 1994, FHWien der WKW has already produced more than 15,900 graduates.
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
www.fh-wien.ac.at