New Academic Directors

Bachelor Physiotherapy under New Leadership

With Martin Metz, the St. Pölten UAS’ Department of Health Sciences has a renowned expert for the health professions on board. He started his position as Academic Director of the study programme Physiotherapy at the beginning of September.

“As Academic Director, Martin Metz combines professional excellence and many years of competence in continuing education. His profound practical orientation and his experience in teaching will strengthen our programme and give the students the best possible preparation for the requirements of modern healthcare. I am looking forward to our collaboration and extend a warm welcome to Martin”, says Head of Department Barbara Wondrasch.

As CEO of the ‘Physiozentrum für Weiterbildung‘, Martin Metz has had a decisive impact on the post-graduate training of physiotherapists. For many years now, the institution has been a reliable partner of the study programme Physiotherapy and is frequently involved in joint projects – for example, within the framework of the scientifically sound treatment concept GLA:D for patients suffering from hip and knee arthritis.

In his new role as Academic Director, the certified physiotherapist, manual therapist, and sport therapist with many years of practical experience and a master’s degree in personnel management focuses directly on basic training – a field which he knows very well since he used to be a part-time lecturer in the same study programme for a long time.

New Academic Director for Social Work (BA)

On 1 September 2025, Christina Engel-Unterberger took over the position of Academic Director of the bachelor degree programme Social Work from Christine Haselbacher who will fully concentrate on her role as Head of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences from now on.

Christina Engel-Unterberger is a member of the Town senate and the municipal council of St. Pölten and used to be the Vice President of the Austrian social work society (OGSA) from 2019 to 2022. As a UAS lecturer and module head at the St. Pölten UAS, she is familiar with the complexity of operations in higher education and was prominently involved in the development of curricula and in several topic-centred working groups. In addition to her academic activities, she has many years of experience as process guide, supervisor, and coach (ÖAGG) as well as in the foundation of associations and in board work.

“Tina’s professionally adept visions and her idea of tackling the future together are impressive. I’m sure that she will enrich the team with valuable impulses in her new function”, emphasises Head of Department Katharina Auer-Voigtländer.

Social Work (MA) under New Management

In August, Katharina Auer-Voigtländer became the new Academic Director of the master degree programme Social Work, thus replacing Johannes Pflegerl who had filled the position in a temporary capacity with great commitment.

Katharina Auer-Voigtländer continues to head the Department of Social Sciences where she is also responsible for the continuing education programmes. She has several years of experience in probationary services – in the counselling and guidance of people who have committed a criminal offence – and wrote her subject-scientific doctorate in the field of Social Work at the University of Vechta on the life situations experienced by the victims of forced migration.

“A big thank you is due to Johannes Pflegerl who successfully held the position of interim Academic Director for such a long time and with such commitment”, says Christina Haselbacher. “I wish Katharina Auer-Voigtländer only success and happiness for her new role as Academic Director! She has the excellent professional competence and willingness to fulfil her new tasks with strength and vision. The master degree programme’s innovation is in the best possible hands.”