Report Diversity Day 2025

The 11th Diversity Day of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria took place on 8th April 2025 at Steyr Campus under the motto “Managing Diversity”. The Diversity Day and the integrated Creativity Challenge were organised by the Gender & Diversity Management Conference of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. This time, the organisers were the members of the Steyr section of GDM-K, Silke Preymann, Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger and Margarethe Überwimmer. 

Diversity is not only important in companies but also in everyday life situations. It is a key factor in building an inclusive and innovative environment, especially in times of constant and immediate changes. This year, we were excited to explore how diversity is recognised and valued inside of the university, as well as in companies such as IKEA Group Austria, BMW Group, SKF Österreich, ESS Engineering Software Steyr and Energie AG. 

After the introductory words from DI Dr Heimo Losbichler, Dean of the Faculty of Steyr, MMag.a Isolde Perndl, Manager of the FH Upper Austria, also welcomed the around 70 guests from inside and outside the university.  

Mag.a Dr.in Silke Preymann, DI in Dr.in Margarethe Überwimmer and Dr.in Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger then gave examples how diversity is important and well managed in different areas at Steyr Campus. The three professors took the opportunity to put focus on their respective fields of research and teaching: HR Management, Intercultural Competence, and Sustainable Transportation.  

In the panel discussion, Nicole Steger, MSc from IKEA Group Austria; MMag.a. Sandra Brandstetter Personalmanagement from Energie AG OÖ; Stefanie Jezek, MA from SKF Österreich AG; Georg Feichtinger, MA from ESS Engineering Software Steyr, Josef Pilstl, MS from BMW Group Werk Steyr and Mag.a Dr.in Silke Preymann from FH Oberösterreich gave interesting insights in the different approaches to Diversity Management. Moderated by DI.in Dr.in Margarethe Überwimmer, who professionally guided the panel through the discussion. The companies' aim to achieve equity inside their corporations showed how important the topic is and how it has been developed through the last years. 

The occasion of the Diversity Day was also used by Eva Stockley from TÜV who we would like to thank very much for handing over the Diversity Management Audit Certificate. With combined efforts from Quality Management (Dr.in Regina Aichinger, MSc and Mag. Daniela Nömeyer) and Diversity Management (Dr.in Mag.a Silke Preymann and Mag.a Johanna Paar) the certificatewas achieved according to the ÖNORM S 2501. 

Finally the nominees for the Diversity Days' Creativity Challenge and their submitted works were presented. FH-Prof. Dr.in Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger BSc MA guided the audience through the contributions which were exhibited to the audience in the foyer prior to the start of the Diversity Day official programme. In keeping with the theme of ‘Managing Diversity’, the participants had dedicated themselves to the topic thoroughly. A colourful mixture of creative submissions, photos, paintings, works and even songs created by students, employees and participants had been submitted. After an exciting voting process with the support of our colleague Jeremiah Diephuis and his very useful voting system, the winners of the Creativity Challenge were announced. All the nominated submissions as well as the lucky winners can be found here.  

Many thanks to all participants, the speakers and the great organisation team! We are already looking forward to the next Diversity Day 2026. Der 11. Diversity Day der FH Oberösterreich fand am 8. April 2025 am Campus Steyr unter dem Motto „Managing Diversity“ statt. Der Diversity Day und die integrierte Creativity Challenge wurden von der Konferenz für Gender- & Diversity-Management (GDM-K) der FH Oberösterreich organisiert. Diesmal übernahm das Team der GDM-K Campus Steyr – Silke Preymann, Lisa-Maria Putz-Egger und Margarethe Überwimmer – die Organisation.