At first, he thought it was a spam email. It was only when his dean confirmed that everything was above board that Prof. Dr Wolfgang Aumer realised what was behind it all: Numerous students, business representatives and colleagues had nominated him to the UNICUM Foundation as ‘Professor of the Year’. It is now official: the professor from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at OTH Regensburg has taken first place nationwide in the Engineering and IT category.
The award recognises university lecturers who not only provide their students with an excellent academic education but also show particular dedication in preparing them for their career start. Around 9,000 nominations were received this year. Students, university graduates, employers and professors from across Germany were invited to submit nominations. An independent jury assessed the nominees against various criteria.
Award for a practical approach
“First place for Professor Wolfgang Aumer is an extraordinary honour and a well-deserved recognition of his great commitment to our students. With passion, professional expertise and a genuine connection with people, he manages to combine theory and practice in a unique way. This nationwide success is a source of pride for the whole of OTH Regensburg,” says Prof. Dr Ralph Schneider, President of OTH Regensburg.
Prof. Dr Aumer teaches, amongst other subjects, the fundamentals of electrical engineering and electronics, measurement technology and automation technology at OTH Regensburg. As head of the Automation Technology Laboratory, he closely integrates theory and practice. His courses are characterised by a strong focus on practical application, close links with industry and personalised support for students. He attaches particular importance to building bridges early on between the university, companies and future employers.
The jury also highlighted this unique combination of academic rigour, technical expertise and practical experience. In particular, they recognised Aumer’s ability to convey theoretical knowledge clearly and link it to concrete applications. His roots in agriculture and his close connection to technical practice were also cited as key factors.
“This award means a great deal to me because it comes from the immediate context of my work. When students take the trouble to nominate their professor, that is something very special. For me, teaching has always been about more than just imparting knowledge. I want to support young people on their journey, give them guidance and show them just how exciting technology is in practice,” says Prof. Dr Wolfgang Aumer.
Rooted in the region, connected to the world of work
Aumer hails from Rettenbach in the district of Cham; he completed his PhD at TU Dresden and subsequently helped establish the Technology Campus in Cham before accepting a post at OTH Regensburg in 2025. He particularly values the collegial atmosphere here and the close collaboration across faculty boundaries. “I feel completely at home here. I’m delighted by the high demand for my courses. But what I particularly appreciate is the sense of community at OTH Regensburg. I also get together with many of my colleagues after work and in my spare time. This interaction is simply a pleasure,” says Prof. Dr Aumer.
He attributes his success primarily to his close ties with students, companies and colleagues. For him, good teaching, practical relevance, personalised support and a strong network are inextricably linked. “You don’t just learn about technology from books. It’s crucial to engage in conversation with the people who develop and apply it. That’s why I place great value on links to the professional world, on networks and on personal encounters. This is precisely what our students will benefit from later in their careers,” says Prof. Dr Aumer.
Prof. Dr Rainer Holmer, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, also sees this as a key reason for the award: “Wolfgang Aumer embodies a style of teaching that combines academic excellence with practical relevance and a human touch. He inspires students’ enthusiasm for technology, forges links with the professional world and provides guidance far beyond the lecture theatre. We are absolutely delighted that he has now been voted number one in Germany for this.”
The ‘Professor of the Year’ competition
The ‘Professor of the Year’ competition has been organised by the UNICUM Foundation in four categories since 2006 and is one of the most prestigious awards for university lecturers in Germany. The rankings are determined by an independent jury comprising experts from academia and university management.
The jury assesses the nominees on the basis of various criteria. These include the nominations received and the reasons given for them, as well as comprehensive information provided by the nominees themselves, submitted references, and the Foundation’s own research.
