The conferment of functional and honorary titles is one of the highlights of the academic year at IMC Krems. This year, 13 individuals were recognised.
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Ceremonial recognition of teaching and research staff
IMC Krems, with CEO Ulrike Prommer, CEO Udo Brändle, Academic Head Andreas Lichtenwörther, and Deputy Academic Head Tanja Ihden, hosted the academic ceremony for the conferment of functional and honorary titles on 10 July 2026. This celebration recognises outstanding achievements in teaching and research.
Spotlight on teaching and research
“The conferment of functional and honorary titles is a demonstration and lived expression of appreciation for the exceptional achievements of our teaching and research staff. Through their extraordinary dedication, they shape the position and academic profile of our university,” said CEO Ulrike Prommer, delighted with the long list of awards presented on the IMC Krems campus.
The following teaching and research staff were honoured:
Honorary titles
Honorary title: Fellow of IMC Krems
The honorary title Fellow of IMC Krems is awarded to individuals who support the development and/or establishment and coordination and/or further advancement of the degree programmes and research areas at IMC Krems. The title was awarded to:
Mag. Peter Voithofer
Honorary title: Honorarprofessorin and Honorarprofessor
Holders of the honorary title “Honorarprofessorin(FH)“/Honorarprofessor(FH)” (Honorary Professor) are actively involved in teaching and, where applicable, research in a bachelor degree programme or master degree programme at IMC Krems. The honorary title is awarded exclusively on the basis of a nomination by a third party; self-nomination is not permitted. The title was awarded to:
Lic. Mag. phil. Krishna Gonzáles Pozsonyi
Dr. Martin Kern
Honorary title: Fachhochschulprofessorin emertius and Fachhochschulprofessor emertius
The Academic Board, in consultation with the governing body, has approved the conferment of the honorary retirement title “Professor(FH) emeritus” on one individual. The honorary title was awarded to:
Prof. (FH) Dr. Christian Klein
Functional titles
The academic functional titles used at IMC Krems follow national and international higher education standards. These are categorised as “Fachhochschulprofessorin/Fachhochschulprofessor“ and “Assoziierte Fachhochschulprofessorin/Assoziierter Fachhochschulprofessor“.
Functional title: Fachhochschulprofessorin and Fachhochschulprofessor
Applicants for the functional title “Fachhochschulprofessorin/Fachhochschulprofessor“ must meet formal and quality criteria based on demonstrated capability in academic work and research, or in conducting research projects aligned with the strategic development of IMC Krems' research areas. Additional criteria include proven teaching performance (both pedagogical and subject-specific).
Key criteria (excerpt):
Publications:
Must have actively produced at least five intellectual contributions (e.g. journal articles, trade publications, book chapters, monographs, conference papers) in the past five years, including at least two in peer-reviewed journals and at least three reviewed through peer or editorial review (e.g. conferences, edited volumes).
Research projects:
Participation in third-party funded research proposals and at least 200 actual project hours on such projects over the past five years.
Only full-time members of the teaching and research staff are eligible to bear the title “Fachhochschulprofessorin/Fachhochschulprofessor“. A completed PhD degree is a prerequisite for applying. The title was awarded to:
Khurram Ajaz Khan, PhD
Anna Malyshenko, PhD, MSc
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Christine Mitter
Mag. Dr. Stephanie Tischler
Dr. Alice Wanner
Functional title: Assoziierte Fachhochschulprofessorin and Assoziierter Fachhochschulprofessor
Similar formal and quality criteria apply for the title “Assoziierte Fachhochschulprofessorin/Assoziierter Fachhochschulprofessor“. Differences can be found in terms of publications (at least three peer-reviewed publications in the last five years) and the supervision or guidance of master’s theses is not a requirement.
In justified cases, the functional title may also be conferred on individuals holding a master degree or an equivalent qualification, provided they significantly exceed the required research criteria. The following individuals were awarded the functional title:
Tanja Miksch, MHPE
Christian Paumann, MSPhT
Christine Spevak-Grossi, MSc, BSc
Rita Weber-Stallecker, MSc
Functional and honorary titles at IMC Krems
The Fachhochschulgesetz (FHG)/(University of Applied Sciences Act) defines which functional and honorary titles may be awarded. These are not professional titles. The criteria for conferment are established in the statute of the Academic Board, which decides on the awarding of titles jointly with the university management. The criteria relate to teaching and research, as well as didactic training and outstanding commitment to the advancement of degree programmes. Honorary titles are awarded for life, while functional titles are valid for the duration of the function being performed.