Events

Barriers and requirements for the incorporation of AI in SMEs

By Sergio Salimbeni on Sep 4th, 2023

The Faculty of Engineering continues to advance its study on “Barriers and requirements for the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence in SMEs”. This research work is part of the SME5.0 project belonging to the “Marie Curie Program”. It was on this occasion that the first meeting was held between the representatives of Argentina, Austria and Malta. Eng. Sergio Salimbeni, Rudolf Grünbichler and Dr. Emmanuel Francalanza were present. A work schedule was established and the dates of the next visits to each country were defined.
Read more
Secondment PM Stellenbosch

By Philipp Miklautsch on Sep 3rd, 2023

September 2023 Secondment of Philipp Miklautsch from Leoben to Stellenbosch
Read more
Visiting Klinger-Industrie plant

By Rudolf Grünbichler on Sep 1st, 2023

As part of the "SME5.0 Marie-Curie International Research Project", the Faculty of Engineering's Research Institute of Science and Technology conducted a visit to the Klinger-Industrie plant on Friday 1 September. Mr Rudolf Grünbichler from the Graz University of Technology, Austria, participated in the visit together with the Director of the USAL Research Institute of Science and Technology, Mr Sergio Salimbeni. They were received by the Executive Director of the Austro-Argentine Chamber of Commerce, Vanesa Tuñon, the company's Managing Director, Alberto Pinter, the Production Manager, Claudio Lazo, and the Human Resources Manager, Carlos Rodio. During the meeting, they visited the production lines and exchanged ideas about possible alternatives for further automation. They also discussed the obstacles and requirements for incorporating AI at each stage of the company's value stream.
Read more
Teaching - Course "Communication for Business Results"

By Marco Berger on Sep 1st, 2023

On September 1, 2023, I served as an external speaker in the course "703322 Communication for Business Results". This course primarily focuses on communication in the context of innovative business development, corporate and team building, market analysis, competitive advantages, and the marketing mix. The students, divided into six groups, dedicated several weeks to crafting an innovative product and its corresponding business model. On September 1, they presented their business concept. As an external speaker, I assumed the role of a potential investor, raising probing questions about the product and business model. Furthermore, potential areas for improvement from a technical and economic standpoint were highlighted by me.
Read more
Arrived in Buenos Aires for the SME 5.0 project

By Rudolf Grünbichler on Aug 30th, 2023

Rudolf Grünbichler (Institute of Business Economics and Industrial Sociology) has arrived at Universidad Del Salvador (USAL) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. During the stay, he is working on the SME 5.0 research project (funded by the European Union) on work package 4.1 with the topic of requirements and barriers of artificial intelligence for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The SME 5.0 project is dedicated to developing a strategic roadmap to increase the competitiveness of SMEs in the areas of artificial intelligence, sustainability and human-centred approach. Together with Argentinean colleagues, the theoretical foundations are being laid and initial interviews conducted. Further information about the project can be found here. In addition, he holds seminars on artificial intelligence for Argentinean students.
Read more
Visiting the Toyota plant in Zárate, Buenos Aires

By Rudolf Grünbichler on Aug 30th, 2023

On 30 August, researcher Rudolf Grünbichler from Graz University of Technology, Austria, visited the Toyota plant in the city of Zárate, Buenos Aires, together with the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at USAL, Marcelo Zanitti, the Director of the Institute for Research in Science and Technology and Head of the Industrial Engineering course, Sergio Salimbeni, and a group of students from the Faculty of Engineering. Mr Rudolf Grünbichler will spend a month working with the research team as part of the international SME5.0 project, which is part of the "Marie Curie Programme" in which the Faculty of Engineering participates. This is a major EU research and innovation funding programme, the EU's flagship for doctoral and post-doctoral research training. It aims to strengthen the human potential in research and technology in Europe, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in order to equip researchers with new skills and a broader range of competences, to create attractive working conditions for researchers, to break down real and perceived barriers between academia and other sectors, in particular industry, and to promote industry involvement in doctoral and postdoctoral research.
Read more
Company Visit - "The Joursey - Imm Farm"

By Marco Berger on Aug 23rd, 2023

On August 23, I paid the 'The Joursey – Imm Farm' in Chiang Mai a visit. The Imm Farm is a dairy farm enterprise, specializing in the production of high-quality milk and an array of dairy delights, including yogurt and ice cream. Within the Imm Farm umbrella, the shop 'The Joursey' sells self-developed and -produced gelato ice cream. Engaging with the owner during the shop tour, we delved into insightful discussions about potential enhancements in the production of raw materials and shop marketing.
Read more
SME 5.0 collaborates with EE4M Erasmus CoVE project

By Erwin Rauch on Aug 21st, 2023

SME 5.0 has started a collaboration with the EU-funded project EE4M-Engineering Excellence in Mobility Value Chains. Project leader and Principal Investigator of EE4M, Dr. Manuel Woschank, is not only a member of the SME 5.0 consortium, but also plays a leading role in work packages and tasks. "Based on the EU project SME 4.0, the implementation of new technologies in small and medium-sized enterprises has already been dealt with intensively. Now, with SME 5.0, the human factor is increasingly taking center stage in research and practice. This also results in the need to adapt training and further education. Both projects want to work together on this topic and complement each other in terms of activities, events and dissemination.
Following a link to Science Austria explaining the synergies between the projects: https://science.apa.at/power-search/5136628948025461011
Read more
Secondment at WPI

By Lars Jakobs on Aug 20th, 2023

During his Secondment at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) as part of the SME 5.0 project, Lars Jakobs, a fellow researcher and PhD candidate at the Free University of Bolzano, delved into the development of the Stakeholder and Training Network, focusing on addressing diverse needs through Axiomatic Design. Immersed in various lectures and engaging discussions both with students from WPI and professors Chris Brown, he had the invaluable opportunity to apply Axiomatic Design to conceptualize the foundation of the network.
Under the supervision of Professor Chris Brown, who has collaborated for years with the founder of Axiomatic Design, he gained a profound understanding of this innovative approach which played a pivotal role in systematically considering and addressing the multifaceted requirements of the different stakeholders within the SME 5.0 project. The insights acquired greatly contribute to the overall design and success of the Stakeholder and Training Network, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises towards their sustainable, intelligent, and human-centered transition.
Read more