Quality Management at TU Graz Certified Again by AQ Austria

Quality in teaching, research and administration is a top priority at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz). To ensure that the university’s quality management system meets international standards, TU Graz regularly undergoes an external audit in the form of a peer review process by independent experts. In 2011, TU Graz was the first Austrian university to have its quality management audited by international experts and certified by AQA, the predecessor organisation of AQ Austria. Re-certification is due every seven years in accordance with the University Quality Assurance Act (HS-QSG); TU Graz successfully completed this in 2018 and now also in 2025.

Reflective, consensus-oriented university culture

A two-day on-site visit by the five reviewers to TU Graz with a total of 14 rounds of interviews with university management, staff, students and graduates of TU Graz followed a comprehensive self-evaluation report of the university submitted to the reviewers in advance. The personal discussions revolved around studying and teaching as well as continuing education, research, personnel, internationalisation and social objectives as well as academic integrity. In their final report, the reviewers assess the quality management system at TU Graz as “sustainable, effective and future-oriented” and positively emphasise “the reflective, consensus-oriented university culture and the great commitment of those involved”. 

Horst Bischof, Rector of TU Graz, is delighted that the university has been unconditionally re-certified for the second time: “I would like to thank all members of TU Graz – in particular Manuela Berner – who bear responsibility for quality assurance and development in their respective areas of expertise and responsibility within the framework of our institutionally defined strategies and processes. Successful quality management is a guarantee for the positive development of TU Graz and this certification is our calling card for the highest standards in research, teaching and administration. I would also like to thank the reviewers who have given us valuable input for the high-quality further development of TU Graz.” 

The high-calibre team of reviewers consisted of Professor Heike Faßbender (TU Braunschweig and chair of the review team), Raffael Iturrizaga (ETH Zurich, research staff), Jens Kreisel (Rector of the University of Luxembourg), Christian Schröder (Vice President for Education, Teacher Training, and Continuing Education at TU Berlin) and Gabriele Urban (student at TU Wien), accompanied by the AQ Austria process coordinators.

As part of the audit, TU Graz voluntarily addressed the in-depth topic of “Structures and procedures to ensure integrity in academic study, teaching and research”. The reviewers’ recommendations in this context provide valuable suggestions for the further development of the university.