(Vienna, 19 Jan. 2010) The first conference on the future of academic personnel management, which was held last Monday on the initiative of the two Vice Rectors Karin Gutiérrez-Lobos (MedUni Vienna) and Doris Carstensen (Graz University of Arts), attracted a great deal of interest. Many representatives from universities, research establishments and external advisers were looking forward to interesting lectures and a lively discussion at the end.
The Austrian universities have been undergoing a process of fundamental change in recent years. The most far-reaching changes came about because of the ongoing Bologna process and the autonomy of the universities since 2004. The medical universities in particular underwent an extreme change management process, going from being a faculty to a university in their own right. New methods of management are also associated with this and make it necessary to deal with modern personnel management.
Models for personnel management at universities were presented at the conference with its visitors from different countries. Karin Gutiérrez-Lobos emphasised that personnel management and personnel development were largely ignored at universities for a long time. It is high time to focus on the excellent employees working at universities and on their development and make them actively involved in shaping the future of the universities. Particular attention was paid to appointment procedures and career promotion of young scientists. Gutierrez-Lobos explains: "Top scientific achievements are usually managed with team work, so the promotion of cooperation skills, team spirit and communication are therefore key factors for success in science."
The Medical University of Vienna also concentrates on diversity in the way the university is run. One particular concern of Karin Gutiérrez-Lobos is to introduce a change in culture in terms of gender mainstreaming and also provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities at universities.
» Photo (fltr): Dr. Erhard Busek (Chairman of the University Council of MedUni Vienna), Dr. Ernst Domayer (systemic organisational consulting), Univ. Prof. Dr. Heidi Möller (University of Kassel), Univ. Prof. Dr. Karin Gutiérrez-Lobos (Vice Rector, MedUni Vienna), Mag. Karin Bauer (presentation, Der Standard)
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<link schnellinfo muw-galerie _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>» Pictures of the Personnel Development Conference in the MUV gallery
Future of academic personnel management
The first conference on the future of academic personnel management, which was held last Monday on the initiative of the two Vice Rectors Karin Gutiérrez-Lobos (MedUni Vienna) and Doris Carstensen (Graz University of Arts), attracted a great deal of interest. Many representatives from universities, research establishments and external advisers were looking forward to interesting lectures and a lively discussion at the end.