Students develop digital innovations for sustainable solutions in Gmünd

Students develop digital innovations for sustainable solutions in Gmünd

The SKILLsCamp took place again in the heart of Gmünd, where students were able to develop innovative digital solutions for regional companies. This initiative was created in collaboration with the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, which provides scientific support throughout the entire duration of the project. The event encouraged young people not only from the Austrian population, but also from the Czech high school Třeboň to get to work. The projects developed could, among other things, serve as a valuable basis for pre-scientific or diploma theses.

Thomas Moser, head of the Institute for Creative Media/Technologies at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, emphasizes how important it is to promote entrepreneurial thinking in the region. “We enable young people to develop their innovative ideas in a practical context,” he says. The support of the city of Gmünd and local companies helped the young people participate free of charge, which increased the accessibility of the camp.

Interactive workshops and creative projects

Camp participants had the opportunity to take part in workshops on topics such as artificial intelligence and sustainable construction. During the final presentations, students presented their creative concepts to an audience consisting of local politicians, business owners and family members. “Bringing schools, science and business together has great potential,” said Helga Rosenmayer, Mayor of Gmünd.

The topics were diverse and ranged from the application of artificial intelligence in production processes to practical demonstrations that illustrated the functionalities of chatbots. The model of a sustainable house, equipped with a photovoltaic system and a wind turbine, particularly attracted a lot of attention. An innovative waste robot that is intended to contribute to efficiency in waste management was also presented.

Companies such as Agrana, Eaton Industries and Pollmann were cooperation partners and actively supported the initiative. By involving business actors, the bridge is built between theory and practice so that students can not only learn, but also test their skills in real-life scenarios.

Skilled young people can therefore benefit directly from the companies' expertise, which not only increases their professional prospects, but also the innovative strength in the region. This dynamic partnership between educational institutions and industry could lead the way for future projects focused on digitalization and sustainable solutions. To find out more about this initiative, those interested can visit economyaustria.at read up.

SKILLsCamp highlights the importance of youth in shaping a sustainable and digitalized future and shows that creative approaches and innovative ideas can go hand in hand with academic and practical support. This exchange of knowledge and creativity is crucial for the next generation to overcome challenges in the areas of digitalization and environmental protection.