Recognizing Excellence in Teaching: Pforzheim Business School Honors Dedicated Faculty with the 2026 Teaching and Practice Awards
News
On June 17, 2026, the Business School at Pforzheim University presented this year’s Teaching and Practice Awards, once again recognizing outstanding dedication to teaching.
The Pforzheim Business School enjoys an excellent reputation—built on the people who teach, conduct research, and study here. Outstanding individuals, exceptional achievements in teaching, applied research, and close collaborations with industry shape the faculty’s profile. Professors serve as catalysts, trusted advisors, and role models, while adjunct faculty members contribute their valuable professional experience to academic education.
A distinctive feature of the teaching awards is their origin: the nominees are proposed by the students themselves. In this way, the faculty specifically honors educators who leave a lasting impression through their expertise, dedication, and passion for teaching. This is complemented by the Industry-Academia Teaching Award for the successful integration of academic rigor and professional practice, as well as by the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Lecturers.
The 2026 Award Recipients
Faculty Teaching Award
- Prof. Dr. Fernando Fastoso
- Prof. Dr. Robert Nothhelfer
- Dipl.-Psych. Brigitte Burkart
Faculty Practical Teaching Award
- Prof. Dr. Andreas Willburger
Dean’s Award for Distinguished Lecturers
- Prof. Dr. Kevin Johnston
Excellence in Teaching in All Its Diversity
This year’s awards reflect the diversity of excellent teaching at the Business School.
Dr. Andreas Willburger, Professor of Private Commercial Law, is known for his practical yet thoughtful approach to teaching legal concepts. His approach makes it clear that business law is far more than a system of legal provisions. He actively guides students through their learning process, asks targeted questions, and creates space for creative thinking—an important foundation for future professional challenges.
Dr. Fernando Fastoso, Professor of Brand Management for Luxury and High-Class Brands, combines academic excellence with exceptional personal commitment. He manages not only to inspire students academically but also to strengthen cohesion within the program. Whether in the lecture hall or beyond—through personal interaction, dialogue, and shared activities—he fosters a vibrant learning culture and supports students in building their professional networks.
Dr. Robert Nothhelfer, Professor of General Business Administration, impresses with structured, clearly organized courses and a high level of academic depth. His lectures follow a clear, logical thread that provides students with guidance and makes complex content understandable. At the same time, he is always approachable and stands out for his great reliability in his interactions with students.
Brigitte Burkart, a licensed psychologist and director of the SIK program at the Business School, is recognized for her sustainable and holistic teaching approach. The SIK program focuses on fostering social, methodological, and intercultural competencies. In this program, Brigitte Burkart not only imparts knowledge but also broadens perspectives and inspires students to develop new ways of thinking. Her continuous commitment and consistency have a lasting impact on the learning culture.
The Dean’s Award was presented to Dr. Kevin Johnston, professor emeritus at the University of Cape Town, whose teaching as a teaching as a visiting professor in Pforzheim is particularly distinguished by its human dimension. His goal is to unlock the potential of every individual, guided by openness, mutual respect, and a strong focus on personal development. Students report that, thanks to his teaching, they have grown not only academically but also personally.
Teaching That Makes a Difference
The Teaching and Practice Awards 2026 highlight that excellent teaching goes far beyond the mere transfer of knowledge. It inspires, provides guidance, fosters individual growth, and connects academic content with practical relevance. In doing so, the award recipients make a significant contribution to the quality and identity of Pforzheim Business School.
