“digBiz Award 2023” at the House of Digitalization

The HAK Digital Business (digBiz) is a specialized form of business school (HAK) that combines the traditionally strong business education of the HAK with an intensive five-year computer science program. This program is currently offered at 19 locations throughout Austria. Tulln will become the 20th location to offer this program in September 2023.

On March 28th, the nationwide HAK Digital Business (digBiz) Award ceremony took place at the House of Digitalization in Tulln an der Donau. A total of approximately 550 students from 19 digBiz HAKs across Austria traveled to Tulln to experience the best diploma projects from 14 of the digBiz HAKs (those locations offering the Matura, the Austrian high school diploma).

The HAK digBiz Award is presented in four categories. Here is an overview of all submitted projects: https://www.hakdigbiz.at/digbiz-award-2023/

The jury selected the following projects for 2023:

 Best Programming: “HeartChart” - HAK Feldkirch

 Best Design: “With Momentum into the Digital Age” - BHAK St. Johann

 Best Business Idea: “MatchYourPet” - HAK Waidhofen an der Thaya

 Audience Award: “With Momentum into the Digital Age” - BHAK St. Johann

HAK Digital Business offers future-oriented vocational training. Based on a solid general education and the classic business subjects of the commercial academy, the focus is on developing skills and competencies in the field of computer science and new media. Education Minister Martin Polaschek emphasizes: “In our classrooms, we teach history and shape the future. School is not just a place where teachers and students meet; it's a meeting point where today's knowledge meets tomorrow's society. The HAK Digital Business program offers an ideal combination of technical and business education. In addition to specialized knowledge and skills in business and information technology, it demands and fosters strong problem-solving abilities, a structured approach, teamwork, creativity, and resilience under pressure.”

“The House of Digitalization is the linchpin for guiding Lower Austria into the digital world of the future and optimally leveraging the opportunities for the region, its people, and businesses. No better location could have been chosen for the 2023 digBiz Award ceremony. I congratulate the students on their outstanding achievements,” said Provincial Councillor for Education Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister.

State Secretary for Digitalization and Telecommunications Florian Tursky was enthusiastic about the submitted projects: “The business academies specializing in digitalization and economic competence recognized the signs of the times several years ago and interpreted them correctly. They train young people specifically for the demands of our modern and digital world. In times of a massive shortage of skilled workers, the innovative spirit of students is fostered at 20 locations. This is evident in the 14 submitted projects. I congratulate everyone who participated in the competition, especially the winners, on their successful projects. If we continue to support young talent, we will undoubtedly be among the winners of digitalization in the future!”

The HAK digBiz prepares students for careers in the digital world that require advanced business and technological skills. “This school year, approximately 2,000 students are attending a HAK.digBiz program. With over 300 graduates annually, and this number is rising, we are strengthening Austria's economic position with highly qualified IT professionals,” emphasizes Harald Schaber, Chairman of the HAK.digBiz Association.

The HAK Digital Business program offers future-oriented vocational training. Building upon a solid general education and the traditional business subjects of the commercial academy, the program focuses on developing skills and competencies in the fields of computer science and new media.

HAK Digital Business offers future-oriented vocational training. "In the coming school year, HAK Tulln will launch a new specialization in Digital Business (digBiz), in addition to its existing International, Media, and Classic programs. This marks the first time in Tulln that comprehensive programming and software engineering training will be offered at the upper secondary level. Enrollment numbers are so high that two first-year classes will be necessary for the DigBiz program. The House of Digitalization provided an ideal platform for the digBiz Award 2023," said HAK Tulln Director Peter Eisenschenk.