I decided to not sign the continuation of my contract at the Donau-Universität Krems. It was not an easy decision - quitting a job and having a familiy - but, you know, I have plans.
I was a part of this great institution since November 1995. It’s almost a decade now. Since the inception of this University innovation was it’s main driver. We had several CEOs (presidents and directors) that accompanied the prospering development of our unique programs. I was heading the Center for New Media since 1997. During my period of work we developed several successful Master-programs.
Besides that I got obsessed with a new emerging paradigm some 3 years ago. With the advent of Weblogs my perspective on my job changed. Coming up with the idea and organizing the two BlogTalks opened my eyes and my contacts list to international people and minds in the field of Social Software and networked economies and societies.
It is said that an employer needs 7 or 8 years to find his obsession. Well I did though initially I didn’t expect to leave the organisation that gave me the environment to do that.
Since my contract was supposed to terminate legally with the end of June 2005 I drafted a concept for a Social Software Lab; Eventually I got support from more than a dozen of international research institutions. After some time and presentations I even got the support of my own department - thanks my dear colleagues - though it was not enough time to finalize it with our Rector and Vice-Rectors.
There is support - as I mentioned - a couple of weeks ago but there is no basis for that Lab yet.
Consequently I decided to finish my employment thus being able to continue my work in the field of social software and being able to further talk to the management of the Donau-Universität Krems with respect to the establishment of such a research and development unit. What I’ve heard is that it is that the bottom line is a question of symbolic credentials - since I don’t own a PhD or a Habilitation.
Having decided upon the discontinuation of my contract everything is changing right in front of my eyes. Live has become exciting again. More to come in the next days - stay tuned.
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