Profile of new appointees: Prof. Dr. Patrick Zschech

Prof. Dr. Patrick Zschech has held the Chair of Business Information Systems, in particular Intelligent Systems and Services, since April 1, 2025. To satisfy curiosity about his new colleague, he answers a few brief questions. In the following, Prof. Zschech provides insights into his work in research and teaching.

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What is your vision for the Chair?
I would like to establish a Chair at TU Dresden that is known for advancing application-oriented research and teaching in the field of modern AI technologies for business analytics applications. Our focus is particularly on the design of intelligent information systems based on innovative data science and machine learning methods. These include natural language processing, computer vision, process mining, generative AI and interpretable machine learning. In all these areas, we offer our students practical courses to build up competitive skills on the one hand and challenging research projects on the other, in which they can directly demonstrate the skills they have acquired.

At the same time, it is my ambition that we not only address a narrow target group with our offer, but that our passion for the topics of artificial intelligence, data science and algorithmic programming spills over to a broad student body. I currently have the great honor of teaching the basics of Python programming to almost 350 economics students in their first semester. On the one hand, this is challenging because the prior knowledge, but also the expectations of the course, are extremely heterogeneous - from students who are programming for the first time to people with extensive programming experience. At the same time, it's incredibly rewarding to see how quickly many people shed their initial skepticism about "programming" and develop a love of solving problems with just a few lines of code. My goal is to keep this spark of curiosity and enthusiasm alive in the long term and to continuously develop our courses in order to build a long-term community of students and researchers who are keen to tackle real challenges in business and society with modern digital technologies.

Where did you last teach/research/live?
My last position was at the University of Leipzig, where I also held a Chair of Business Information Systems at the Faculty of Business and Economics. Before that, I researched and taught at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and TU Dresden. In a way, this brings me full circle: my academic career once began here at TU Dresden - with my studies, doctorate and first scientific projects. Now returning to my home country and continuing my Chair here fills me with great joy and gratitude. It is a wonderful feeling to return to the place where my own academic journey began and to now have the opportunity to actively help shape this place.

What was the topic of your doctorate?
Specifically, the title of my doctorate was "Data Science and Analytics in Industrial Maintenance: Selection, Evaluation, and Application of Data-Driven Methods", which I successfully completed in 2020. In my doctorate, I looked at how methods from the field of data science can be used in a targeted manner in industrial maintenance - for example, to detect machine failures at an early stage and make maintenance processes more efficient. I was particularly interested in the question of which analysis methods work best under which conditions, because not every method automatically fits every type of data or use case. This resulted in several practical tools that help companies to select suitable methods and use them sensibly. In short, I wanted to show how data-driven maintenance can really work in practice.

What was your best experience during your studies?
I could certainly tell various stories about stays abroad or professional "aha" experiences. But to be honest, the best moment of my studies was when I met my wife. We both studied at the Faculty of Business and Economics at TU Dresden and were enthusiastic about different topics in the field of Business Information Systems. We've now been together for over ten years and it still feels special when we walk around the campus together or go for a meal in the canteen.

What was your worst experience during your studies?
It's difficult to say, as my student years were characterized by positive experiences and fulfilling moments. It was only later, on the other side of the lecture hall as a Junior Professor, that I experienced the difficult conditions under which many students had to manage their studies during the coronavirus pandemic - without the usual social interaction, lively discussions and joint learning on campus. Even though I only experienced this time from the perspective of a teacher, I found it both depressing and very instructive. It made me realize once again how important social interaction and personal exchange are for successful teaching-learning processes.

When did you know: "I want to be a professor!"?
I don't think I really wanted to become a professor for a long time. What drove me was the joy of familiarizing myself with new subject areas, penetrating them and preparing the knowledge gained in such a way that it could be understood and used by others. I therefore realized quite early on how much I enjoyed working at a university - with its combination of research, teaching and continuous learning. However, as permanent academic positions at universities are extremely rare, becoming a Chair was also a pragmatic decision that allows me to do what I love best: researching, teaching and discovering new things together with students.

What positively surprised you about the TU Dresden campus?
I've known the campus for a very long time now and am delighted to see how it is constantly evolving. And I don't just mean innovative labs, well-equipped lecture halls and seminar rooms and modernized institute buildings. As a student, I was occasionally annoyed by the one or other outdated toilet - but a lot has really happened in the meantime. If the Neue Mensa on Bergstrasse could one day open its doors again, I would be absolutely thrilled.

How well do you know Dresden?
Very well. I also completed my studies in Dresden. Back then, I was one of the first cohort to go through the Bachelor's/Master's system in Business Information Systems. And I also did my doctorate in Dresden afterwards. I have remained loyal to Dresden and Saxony with a clear conscience and love my home very much.

What are your favorites?
In summer, we like the Mickten and Pieschen area, around the City Beach. And as a family, we often go hiking in Plauen and towards Freital. Of course, we also take advantage of the proximity to Saxon Switzerland. Dresden and the surrounding area have so much to offer that it's hard for me to name a favorite.

What is always on your desk?
I always have a photo of my family on my desk, otherwise it's not very well decorated.

Many thanks to Prof. Dr. Patrick Zschech for the insights.

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© Giulia Iannicelli

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Professor Dr. Patrick Zschech

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