Inspiring enthusiasm for technology

He is the head of the Building Technology and Mechanical Engineering departments at HTL Mödling, the largest school in Austria - perhaps even the largest technical school in Europe.

He himself was also a student at this school. After graduating with honours in mechanical engineering, he began working at Andritz AG . During this time he completed a Bachelor's degree in Energy and Environmental Management at UAS Burgenland in Pinkafeld, followed by a Master's degree in Building Technology and Facility Management.

After holding professional positions in Austria and abroad, he supervised various projects relating to energy storage technologies, wind marketing and smart cities at Forschung Burgenland. "I was able to gain all-round experience and put the broad knowledge from my studies to good use," he says.

In 2019, he joined AIT - Austrian Institute of Technology as a research engineer and is still working there - even though the centre of his professional life has shifted to HTL Mödling in recent years.

With 3,500 students and around 400 teachers, HTL Mödling is the largest school in Austria and probably the largest technical school in Europe. Michael Schöny heads two of the 12 departments offered there. "I really enjoy working with young people and inspiring their enthusiasm for technology."

And he adds: "Change needs to happen now. We need to change the curricula and bring topics such as the circular economy, green technologies, etc. into the schools if we want to achieve the climate targets. The young people who have these skills need to get out into the economy as quickly as possible." And he emphasises: "We also need skilled workers who want to get their hands dirty! I try to convey the enthusiasm for this."

What he has learnt at UAS Burgenland, apart from the technical know-how: "that you can definitely achieve more in a team than on your own. And that if you stick together, you can move mountains. I've always been impressed by the team spirit at UAS Burgenland."