"Prof. Dr. Meitinger shows a special commitment to her students, through her excellent, practice-oriented lectures, on the one hand, and through her proximity to industry, on the other. She has a very good instinct for which students would be well suited to which companies. All suggestions of candidates for theses were a 'perfect fit' and the support provided was always exemplary", explains jury member Prof. Dr. Michaela Geierhos, professor in Data Science at the University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich.

"Claudia Meitinger is a lecturer who teaches with spirit and passion and has an unwavering commitment to her students. She challenges them with up-to-date, practical assignments and thus brings out the best in them. Challenging and supporting her students, always available to listen to them – that's what teaching is all about. We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding teacher and great personality in our ranks", says Prof. Dr. Gordon Thomas Rohrmair, President of the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, expressing his delight about Meitinger's award.

Claudia Meitinger has been a lecturer in Computer Engineering at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences since 2013. She studied precision engineering and microtechnology at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, before completing her PhD at the University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich in 2009. Subsequently, she worked as senior software engineer at the ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH in Fürstenfeldbruck.

Meitinger teaches students from the study programs Electrical Engineering (Bachelor), Mechatronics (Bachelor) and Industrial Safety and Security (Master) and is responsible for the Laboratory for Microcomputer Engineering. She has close links to partners in the region – from research institutes to companies and startups – which enables her to ensure that her teaching is always directly related to current trends in industry and business. Meitinger is a faculty member at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and works on further development of the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences’ study courses in the fields of "Industrial Internet of Things" and "Robotics and Production Engineering". From 2015 to 2018, Meitinger supported the President's Office of the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences in an advisory capacity during the restructuring of the dual studies program. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, she used modern digital teaching methods, which are subject to continuous further development in cooperation with her students. At the beginning of the pandemic, Meitinger shared her expertise in digital teaching with the high schools in the region and offered them advice relating to the conversion to online teaching.

"I love my career as engineer and professor. My wish for all young people is that they find the same joy and fulfilment in their professional lives as I do – this is my main motivation and the inspiration for my teaching", Claudia Meitinger explains on the occasion of her "Professor of the Year" award.

About the competition:
According to the official UNICUM Stiftung press release: "Professor of the Year" is awarded to professors who provide special support to their students in preparing them for their careers. Due to the closure of third-level institutes because of the pandemic, significant barriers were created between educators and students and between employers and recent graduates. Office hours, internships, job fairs, exchange of information – all of this could only take place virtually, if at all. But some university lecturers saw this crisis as a special challenge. Remained available to their students with advice and support. Did not lose contact with the professional world. Did not stop recommending promising graduates to employers. And developed new methods of digital communication. We recognize these professors with the "Professor of the Year" award.

Note to press colleagues:
The "Professor of the Year" award will be formally presented during a celebratory online lecture on Friday, 17 December, at 4pm. The laudatory speech will be given by jury member Prof. Dr. Michaela Geierhos, professor in Data Science at the University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich. You will receive an invitation within the next few days.

More information on the competition (in German):
professordesjahres.de