In her 30 years at the university, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marietta Spangenberg has played a decisive role in the development of the Department of Computer Science and the design of both university locations.
Marietta Spangenberg was a professor in the fields of hardware/fundamentals of computer science at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences for thirty years from 1992 to 2022. During this time, her lectures, tutorials and practical courses in areas such as hardware, data communication, security in networks and the fundamentals of computer science met with great interest among computer science students. Her focus in recent years has been on computer architecture, computer networks, IT security and data protection as well as IT security management and object-oriented programming. Since 2004, she has also given lectures and practical courses in English as part of Neisse University at the HSZG, e.g. in the Data Security and Data Protection and Security in Networks modules.
Born in Zittau in 1958, Marietta Spangenberg studied information technology at the Technical University of Dresden from 1976 to 1981 and then graduated as an information technology engineer, working as a project assistant in the EDP and computer technology department at the Technical University of Zittau. Her dissertation followed in 1989 with the final grade of "magna cum laude" on the topic: "A contribution to the realization of local ring networks taking into account the requirements of office and process automation".
During her time as a professor at the HSZG, the field of computer networks grew to become a central topic in computer science. She continuously adapted her lectures, seminars and practical courses in the field of network technology to the state of the art in research and technology, thus preparing students for their future work in industry or administration. She set up the network and IT security laboratory at the Görlitz site and always kept it up to date.
Her work as director of the university computer center and the university library between 2000 and 2006 deserves special mention. Under her leadership, both central facilities for the university were significantly developed. The university's modern computer network was planned and implemented as a major investment. The libraries at both locations were merged at the IT level, the library in Zittau was designed and built at the new location in the canteen and the new library in Görlitz was planned. In her role, she represented the university in numerous committees such as DFN, ZKI and AKIf, even after her time as director.
Marietta Spangenberg integrated data protection, IT security and data security into her area of appointment at an early stage. It was always important to her to identify the risks of computer networks and distributed applications, to make them understandable and to teach how to manage them.
She approached her work with students with great seriousness and pleasure. Since 1993, she has worked as a supervisor, reviewer and second reviewer for numerous diploma, bachelor's and master's theses at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, and from 2001 to 2009 she also worked as a reviewer for the German Research Foundation.
As an active ambassador of "Computer Science", she established the subject at Zittau by introducing "non-specialists" to computer science in general and to programming with C and object-oriented programming with C++. She set up and supervised the necessary laboratories.
In addition, Professor Marietta Spangenberg chaired the Computer Science Examination Board for many years and also found solutions to difficult situations within the framework of the regulations. As Equal Opportunities Officer, she was involved in practically all appointment procedures and enriched them with her expertise and balanced personality. She was also a member of the Faculty Council for many years. In her 30 years of service to the university, she has played a decisive role in shaping the fate of the faculty and the organization of both campuses.
Prof. Spangenberg, you were a professor in the Department of Computer Science for 30 years. What sparked your passion for your field of vocation?
I was already interested in technology as a schoolgirl and really wanted to study something exciting, but also something challenging. I actually wanted to become a radio officer in the merchant navy. That's why I chose "Communications and Computing Technology" on the "Information Technology" course at TU Dresden.
An unusual choice for a young woman.
That's true. Girls were underrepresented in information technology back then, which is still the case today. There were around 180 students in the faculty, 9 of whom were girls. I've always worked in a male-dominated field, so to speak, but that never bothered me, but rather spurred me on to show that women can also achieve something in these fields. I didn't become a radio officer because I was involved in exciting scientific projects at the university in Dresden. But communications and computing technology was a stroke of luck. It is still as interesting today as it was when I started my studies and is even more important today than it was then.
What is special about computer science for you?
With computer science, I chose the subject area that has developed most dynamically over the last 40 years. It's not mathematics, where Pythagoras' theorem still applies today. No, you always have to stay on the ball. It never gets boring, it's a constant challenge. You can always stay curious and have fun and success solving problems.
What did you enjoy most about your work? What do you particularly remember?
I like to think back to my management work in the University Computer Center and the University Library. We achieved so many new things for both institutions in those years and there were also numerous challenges. However, the best thing about my job was that I was able to work with young people. I was able to accompany them for a while and teach them something for their future lives. I tried to get them excited about computer science, but above all to think independently and logically, to take on new technical challenges and solve problems, even if it was sometimes difficult. Computer science is not just about programming, but also about the world of networks and information security, for example. These topics also play a role. I still get positive feedback from former students today.
With so much heart for teaching, it must have been difficult to let go.
I haven't given up teaching and management completely. I still work freelance at a private university as a course director for IT security and am integrated into the teaching process.
What still connects you to the HSZG today?
As a member of the university, I follow developments at the university and also maintain contact with my colleagues, especially those in Zittau's IT department. Former HSB students also meet up from time to time and we exchange ideas.
