Technische Universität Wien
Around the World
Around the world
In 2010, TU Vienna further strengthened its position as an international institute for research and teaching. It successfully renewed old collaboration agreements, and also cemented new ones. Moreover, it continued to remain in close contact with international networks, thus ensuring a lively exchange of knowledge and creating extensive mobility opportunities.
International cooperation
- From 12 to 23 July 2010, the 4xTU network (which comprises the technical universities from four capital cities in central and eastern Europe) held a summer school entitled "Smart Buildings – Planning for the Future". The event was attended by a total of 30 students from the technical universities in Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna. Part of the summer school involved an excursion to Bratislava where experts from TU Bratislava showed the students around energy-efficient buildings.
- TU Vienna has also increased its involvement in the activities of the 4xTU network through its participation in network meetings and video conferences, and its collaboration with project proposals.
- A Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed with Brno University of Technology/CEITEC (Central European Institute of Technology). The aim of this agreement is to establish a long-term strategic collaboration between TU Vienna and TU Brno in the areas of surface characterisation, thin film physics, material science and nanotechnology.
Mobility and an international outlook
Visits and placements abroad are just one indication of the close international contacts maintained by TU Vienna. In 2010, 230 members of the academic staff undertook a visit abroad lasting at least five days. In comparison with the previous year, the number of these visits has increased by 20%. Moreover, a closer inspection of the statistics reveals that 43% of visits abroad were to non-EU countries. This is around the same percentage as in the previous year.
In 2010, 262 scientists from outside Austria spent between five days and three months researching or teaching at TU Vienna. The majority of them (170 in total) came from within the EU.
Student mobility
In the academic year 2009/10, 369 students took part an international mobility programme. This is 39 students (10%) fewer than in the academic year 2008/09. One of the reasons for this fall in interest is that since the abolition of student fees, students no longer need to apply for an exemption, which means that some participants slip under the radar. One mobility programme enjoying widespread popularity among students, however, is the IAESTE work experience placements. These placements are vital in helping students develop contacts around the world.
In order to combat the reduction in the number of students going abroad, each faculty has appointed "International Relations Coordinators" to advise masters students about opportunities for study abroad. The faculty coordinators will work in close collaboration with the International Office.
The effective system for the recognition of studies completed abroad set up by the Deans of Studies is to be retained. However, efforts to create double and joint degree programmes need to be stepped up in order to give graduates from TU Vienna the best possible foundations for embarking on an international career.
Around the world there is a lot of interest in studying at TU Vienna. In the academic year 2009/10, 887 students attended TU Vienna as part of various international mobility programmes. This represents an increase of 15% in comparison to 2009. Generally speaking the students come from a broad range of countries, with 60% coming from within the EU and 40% coming from non-EU countries.