Every year, students of the Bachelor's Program Management and Economics and of the Diploma Program International Economics apply for the “Student of the Year in Management and Economics” and for being included into the Deans' List. Prerequisites for winning the first prize or one of the two recognition prizes are excellent academic performance and social commitment of the students. This year, the jury selected Jakob Walser from Rankweil in Vorarlberg as “Student of the Year” from the numerous applications.
Jakob Walser started the Bachelor's Program International Economics at the University of Innsbruck in fall 2020. He was on leave for two semesters for an international volunteer assignment at the Sueniños children's and youth center in Mexico. In Innsbruck, Jakob Walser volunteered as a Caritas Buddy alongside his studies. In autumn 2023, he completed a semester abroad at Trinity College in Dublin, where he also did social work at the homeless and addiction charity Tiglin.
In his home region Vorarlberg, Jakob Walser worked on behalf of Sinnfabrik in the association Dorfleben and at the Dornbirner Jugendwerkstätten. "I did marketing and statistics for the association Dorfleben for over a year to support local supply in Vorarlberg. At the Dornbirner Jugendwerkstätten, I supervised a participation project with long-term unemployed young people,” says the award winner. After completing his studies in Innsbruck, he would like to work in social entrepreneurship.
Amelie Fell and David Neumayr were awarded recognition prizes of 500 euros each this year.
"In addition to student achievements, extracurricular commitment in social, cultural and sport areas is a very important criterion for us when awarding the prize. Sound social values are an important part of our corporate culture, in combination with our international focus and strong regional roots. We set these priorities in Tyrol. This prize for students at the University of Innsbruck reflects these values,” says Daniel Hechl, Deputy Regional Director Corporate Clients Tyrol at UniCredit Bank Austria.
