Alumni of the Month September 2016
UNIVERSITÄT LIECHTENSTEIN ALUMNI OF THE MONTH
Experience for life At the Institute of Information Systems, Raphael Ender has found the ideal environment to achieve outstanding study results. For his bachelor thesis, he received several national and international awards. Currently he is participating in an exchange semester in Australia. Raphael Ender was already solving computer problems when he was a child. It was clear at an early stage that he would become a specialist in Information Systems. To him, business information system is far than just a gimmick. In his opinion, a business information specialist is the central interface between the IT department and the management. Therefore one needs extended knowledge in both sub-sector’s to understand, communicate and mediate between the different departments. Raphael started studying business administration at the University of Liechtenstein in 2012. The high quality of the bachelor’s programme and friends’ recommendations as well as the close connection between students and professors made him choose to start his studies there Great working environment: familiar campus atmosphere As a student, Raphael Ender was able to benefit from the good working environment and the familiar campus atmosphere at the University of Liechtenstein. He believes one of the greatest advantages of studying at the University of Liechtenstein is the eminent student-teacher ratio, which allows for not being one among many other students, but individually known. Whenever he had a question he was able to contact the responsible person directly. In his opinion, this atmosphere at the University of Liechtenstein helped him to deliver outstanding performances, such as his bachelor’s thesis which was awarded with national and international awards. He participated with 20 other students from Germany, Switzerland and Austria in the competition of the SAP-Arbeitskreises Hochschulen e.V. and was honoured with first place. When Raphael finished his bachelor’s degree, it was a happy coincidence that the University of Liechtenstein launched a new master programme in “Information Systems”. The opportunity to select the new field of specialization in “Data Science” facilitated his choice to continue his studies at the University of Liechtenstein.
UNIVERSITÄT LIECHTENSTEIN ALUMNI OF THE MONTH
Thinking outside the Box: a semester abroad in Brisbane The master programme in Information System consists not only of high quality lectures but also offers students the possibility to work in an international environment. The master programme in Information System allows him to improve his skills in designing, implementing and utilizing Information systems. In addition to that, he learns how to innovate and transform such systems in companies and society. Not only this knowledge, but also basic scientific knowledge and soft skills in team spirit and leadership prepare him for his role as a specialist in Information Systems. The programme is taught entirely in English and students come from around the world. Raphael has also seen the importance of leaving the own comfort zone and participating in international events right in the beginning of his new studies. This experience encouraged him to spend a semester abroad. Currently Raphael Ender is studying at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, which has a long term collaboration with the University of Liechtenstein in both research and education. Time Management: is the key to business and study successes During his bachelor’s degree Raphael Ender was working for a regional company. In his opinion, a student has to have a very good time management to combine working and studying. The University of Liechtenstein fosters the compatibility of work and study by bundling all mandatory lectures on a certain day. This simplifies the future student’s possibilities to manage work and study simultaneously. Having an exact time management and constant consultation with the employer, Raphael has shown, that the balance between study and work is not only possible but leasds to great success. In his spare time during the master’s programme, Raphael Ender focused on research in the field of “Data Science” as a part of the “Research Fellowship”. In addition to that he was able to gain a lot of business experience by completing internships at different companies. According to Raphael the University of Liechtenstein with its wide business network, offers the possibility to work on exciting and innovative projects from companies like Hilti AG or Accenture. Raphael recommends to agree on a probationary period with the company. This allows to evaluate if working, studying and leisure time can be balanced appropriate. Like this you are going to do very well in your career.
uni.li/alumni