Executive Board confirmed in re-election

29.9.2025 | DIT Press Office

The annual general meeting of the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association, held on 23 September at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) university campus, was characterised by a sense of harmony and satisfaction amongst attendees. The actions of the executive committee for its work in 2024 were approved by the general meeting in accordance with the statutes, and the committee was re-elected directly for a further term of three years. Consequently, Johann Kraus, the former head of the Rohde & Schwarz plant in Teisnach, has been appointed as the inaugural chairman. In addition, Treasurer Stefan Swihota and the four deputy chairmen, namely Dr. Christian Moser, Alexander Kaiß, Prof. Dr. Andreas Buske and Dipl.-Ing. Peter Radlsbeck, were also confirmed in office. Professor Waldemar Berg, the incumbent president of the university, represents the fifth member of the group of deputies by virtue of his office.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the evening's proceedings was the revelation that, despite the challenges posed by the Corona and post-Corona years, the membership of the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association never dipped below the crucial threshold of 500 individuals. Following a period of substantial growth, the Association has now once again surpassed that figure. The Chairman, Mr Kraus, emphasised the pivotal role of the Friends Association's members and their contributions in ensuring the success and efficacy of the organisation's endeavours within the university. In his financial report, Treasurer Swihota had previously highlighted the volatility of income from donations, contrasting this with the reliability of membership fees as a consistent source of financial support for the organisation's operations. In light of this, Kraus made an appeal to all members present, urging them to actively recruit new members from their respective networks of friends and colleagues. It was asserted that the university constitutes a significant economic catalyst within the region, meriting the active support of all stakeholders.

The President of DIT, Mr. Berg, delivered a rapid annual overview to his guests from the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association. The presentation was rich in success stories, both large and small. The general meeting concluded with three insights into the prevailing academic environment at the university. Professor Sabine Wiesend of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Media Technology delivered a report on 'Flight into Shadow', a student lighting technology project that was exhibited this year at the Architecture Biennale in Venice – one of the most significant events in the world of architecture. Professor Dr.-Ing. Niklas Urban not only provided a comprehensive insight into the intricacies of the automation and robotics laboratory, but also facilitated a discourse on the future of these fields. The presentation comprised a series of images intended to convey the current state of the field of robotics. In addition, the speaker reported that students enrolled in the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Industrial Engineering are being trained in accordance with the latest developments in the field. Finally, Annika Schickle, a physician assistant student at the Faculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences, delivered a speech in which she articulated her personal experience of education at the university and reported on the opportunities available to students in her position. These range from participation in humanitarian missions in Uganda and attendance at international conferences to exchange programmes with prestigious Ivy League universities in the USA.

Bild (DIT): The first chairperson of the THD Friends Association, Johann Kraus (left), with the three speakers and flowers: Annika Schickle, Professor Sabine Wiesend and Professor Dr.-Ing. Niklas Urban.