At the semester opening ceremony in early September, Munich Business School (MBS) once again presented awards to outstanding MBS students, lecturers, staff members and alumni. This year, three awards were presented to members of the faculty: the MBS Teaching Award, the MBS Research Award and, for the first time, the MBS Explorer Award. The three recipients of these awards were Prof. Dr. Florian Bartholomae, Prof. Dr. Arnd Albrecht and Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft.
MBS Teaching Award 2021 for Prof. Dr. Florian Bartholomae
“Once upon a time…” said Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft, Vice Deacon for Learning and Teaching, as she began her laudatory speech in honor of this year’s winner of the MBS Teaching Award. In truth, it was long before the coronavirus pandemic, before we all came to spend hours each day on various networking channels, that Prof. Dr. Florian Bartholomae and a number of other colleagues began to use Facebook groups and other social media tools to review teaching content in an interactive, digital format, diving deeper into subject matter and discussing issues with his students. In the past year, the migration from classroom-based teaching to online and hybrid teaching has enabled award-winning Prof. Dr. Florian Bartholomae to continue pursuing his passion for digital teaching methods. He has always been determined to ensure that teaching in digital settings does not diminish lecturer-student contact, providing adequate support, using creative tools such as Kahoot!, and integrating special student support methods in his teaching. This clear focus on students’ learning, and the high degree of interaction with students, were crucial factors given by the MBS teaching and learning committee – comprised of Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft, Prof. Dr. Ellen Schmid and Prof. Dr. Schmidkonz – in their decision to present the MBS Teaching Award 2021 to Prof. Dr. Florian Bartholomae.
“Something students tell us time and again is that Professor Bartholomae’s economics classes are certainly not the easiest or the most palatable. And yet, in their feedback, our students say it is thanks to their professor’s enthusiasm and dynamic support that they manage to get to grips with the course content and enjoy their lectures. In course evaluations, the courses taught by Florian Bartholomae have consistently received top marks for years – and so I’m delighted to present him with the MBS Teaching Award 2021 for his outstanding teaching!”
Prof. Dr. Patrica Kraft
MBS Teaching Award 2021 for Prof. Dr. Arnd Albrecht
The MBS Research Award recognizes outstanding research performance by MBS professors. In his address, MBS Vice Dean Prof. Dr. Heiko Seif noted that, although a great deal of research has been carried out at MBS over the past year, it was also clear that this year’s Research Award could only be presented to one colleague, whose work has truly set him apart: Prof. Dr. Arnd Albrecht. A long-serving professor of Human Resources Management at MBS and academic director of the bachelor’s degree in International Business, his achievements include having his research papers on The Future of the Working World and Management published in three peer-reviewed academic journals. In addition, Prof. Dr. Albrecht has published a particularly pertinent textbook together with Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Hillert, chief physician and director of Schoen Clinic, on the topics of burn-out, stress and depression. It combines the latest insights from research with various perspectives from mental health practitioners, using case studies to illustrate the complexity and individuality of patients and potential ways to provide successful therapy. He has also continued his research on the topic of leadership and developed a new leadership model at the interface of management, neuroscience and psychology. Prof. Dr. Albrecht’s book Zukunftsgerecht führen (Forward-looking leadership) was also recently published in October 2021. With his research into Work 4.0, mental health and leadership, Prof. Dr. Arnd Albrecht is – in the words of Prof. Dr. Heiko Seif – “providing substantial support to Munich Business School’s efforts to position itself as a research-focused institution”.
MBS Faculty Explorer Award 2021 for Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft
In an effort to acknowledge the pioneering mindset within the MBS community, the MBS Explorer Award was this year presented not only to members of the MBS student body but also to permanent members of staff. At faculty level, the award recognizes teaching staff who try new things, demonstrate innovation and creativity, and approach challenges with an open mind. In his laudatory speech, Prof. Dr. Stefan Baldi, Dean of Munich Business School, provided numerous reasons why Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft was more than worthy of the first MBS Explorer Award for teaching staff. In addition to her duties as a professor and academic director of the bachelor’s degree in International Business, she also serves as the first Vice Dean for Learning and Teaching at Munich Business School and has demonstrated exceptional dedication in this role. For instance, she promotes the introduction of new and innovative digital teaching formats and continuously advances quality assurance in teaching. Yet, in addition to teaching, there is another topic close to Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft’s heart, one she promotes with zeal and passion: women in leadership. As part of the Women in Leadership initiative, Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft organizes podium discussions, workshops and networking events with impressive women in leadership positions. Her long-term goal is to establish a strong network of students, teaching staff, specialists, alumni, companies and organizations to support each other and join forces in the fight for a business world in which everyone is equal, regardless of their gender. Creating scholarships specifically targeting female students and introducing international research projects on the topic of female empowerment are also part of these efforts. In short: “Patricia Kraft has impressed us with her candor and curiosity, so much so that I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of the first MBS Faculty Explorer Award!” said Prof. Dr. Stefan Baldi.
You are interested in economics and want to acquire in-depth business know-how?
Then the international business degrees at Munich Business School (MBS) are just right for you! At MBS you won’t cram dry theory from old textbooks, but learn in a outcome-oriented way and gain valuable practical experience. Convince yourself:
Bachelor’s in International Business
Master’s in International Business
Master’s in International Business I Finance
Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Master’s in International Marketing and Brand Management
Master’s in Sports Business and Communication
MBA General Management
Doctor of Business Administration
