Frans Benecke, Junior Lecturer in Accounting and Financial Management at the Department of Business and Tourism at FH Salzburg, recently took part in the Erasmus Teaching Mobility program. This program enables teachers to teach at international partner universities in order to strengthen academic networks and promote intercultural exchange.
Frans Benecke, Junior Lecturer in Accounting and Financial Management at the Department of Business and Tourism at FH Salzburg, recently took part in the Erasmus Teaching Mobility program. This program enables teachers to teach at international partner universities in order to strengthen academic networks and promote intercultural exchange.
As part of this program, Frans returned to the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein, South Africa - his former university and home. After leaving school, he developed a strong interest in economics and finance and decided to study at UFS. Through connections with Prof. Johan Coetzee, Head of the Department of Economics and Finance at UFS and external lecturer at FH Salzburg, and Prof. Christine Mitter from FH Salzburg, Frans became aware of the Consecutive Master's Degree Program in International Finance, which connects the two universities. He was one of the first two students to complete this double-degree program before continuing his academic career at the FH Salzburg in teaching and research.
During his stay in South Africa, Frans Benecke actively contributed to deepening the cooperation between the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and the UFS. He introduced the unique double-degree program and gave lectures on topics such as financial literacy and the differences between the financial systems in Austria and South Africa. He also introduced students to research methods such as systematic literature analysis.
Through workshops and information sessions, he promoted intercultural understanding and created space for valuable insights into the challenges faced by students in South Africa. These experiences have inspired Frans to focus his future research on financial literacy in both developed and developing countries. His involvement not only strengthens FH Salzburg's international relations, but also inspires students to look at finance from a global perspective.
