Honorary Doctor Erwin Schoitsch ensures the quality of computer-controlled products

Erwin Schoitsch is one of three persons who will be conferred with an Honorary Doctor at MDU in 2024. He has a Master of Science in Engineering and for more than 50 years his work has focused on software process improvement and the development and validation of safety-related embedded software-intensive systems with high dependability requirements. Through the nomination, MDU wishes to honour Erwin’s achievements which have been of great value for the University and society as a whole.

Erwin Schoitsch was employed at the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) research institute and has continued working even after he retired. He has been and still is, even at nearly 80 years of age, actively involved in several European research projects, many of which are conducted jointly with MDU.

Additionally, he has organised and participated in many workshops and conferences on dependable systems and has a large network of contacts which encompasses both academia and industry around the world. If you attend a research conference or event about “Embedded Systems” you can nearly be guaranteed to meet Erwin Schoitsch at it.

Erwin has acted as a specialist at several of MDU’s presentations involving the Embedded Systems area. One example is the SAFECOP research project, where secure technologies for interoperable wireless communication systems for applications such as vehicles and healthcare were developed. Indeed, after he retired, Erwin still participated in this project and several other projects.

Ensures product reliability

Erwin has focused on research issues related to the ethical and societal challenges that come with increased automation and autonomy of computer-controlled products, such as autonomous cars and smart production. He focuses in particular on minimising the risk of accidents by introducing standardised processes that ensure the quality and reliability of products. In this area, Erwin is recognised as a leading authority.

By awarding Erwin Schoitsch an honorary doctorate, MDU wishes to acknowledge and honour his historic contributions to the validation and standardisation of safety-critical embedded systems, which have been of great benefit and value to both the University and society as a whole. MDU looks forward to continued cooperation with Erwin in the future.

• Honorary Doctors at MDU