Go International! Fair 2023
18 October 2023
The Go International! Fair will take place on 18 October 2023!
For one whole day, everything revolves around the topic of internationality! Whether you are studying or working at TU Graz, the Go International Fair! 2023 is an excellent opportunity to learn more about stays abroad, mobility programmes and funding/scholarships:
- Mobility programmes (Exchange semester and other options)
- Study abroad stories
- Scholarship and funding for students & staff
- Services for international students & staff
- Internationalisation @ home
- Unite! network
No registration is required.
Staff Weeks: Enriching Experiences
12 - 16 June 2023
In June our two colleagues, Gitte Cerjak and Kerry John, attended separate Staff Weeks, each gaining unique insights. Gitte, the coordinator for incoming Erasmus exchange students and trainees, participated in the "Boosting the Internationalization in Higher Education Institution" Staff Week held by Tecnico Lisboa in Lisbon, a Unite! Partner university. The workshops were enriching, but the true added value of the staff week lay in meeting colleagues from partner universities in person.
During the same week, Kerry attended a Staff Week in Jyväskylä, Finland. She found the series of presentations and discussions on international student mobility practices both useful and motivating. The event facilitated new contacts and strengthened existing ones, especially with the host university. It left Kerry not only enthusiastic about revisiting Finland in the future but deepened her knowledge about mobility programmes and offers.
Forum Technik & Gesellschaft goes International Get-Together Event
10 June 2023
On 10 June 2023, the Forum Technik & Gesellschaft goes International Get-Together Event of sponsoring companies and scholarship holders who will go abroad in the academic year 2023-24 took place.
Not only the sponsoring companies were given a stage and could present themselves, but also the students had the opportunity to tell more about their plans abroad and after the official part there was a lot of networking over snacks and drinks.
A big thank you goes to all the sponsoring companies, who this year awarded a total of 31 scholarships for stays abroad to our students. In this way, they not only support our talented students, but also contribute to the promotion of higher education and international exchange.
More information about the scholarship on the intranet (TU4U)
Katrin Landfahrer-Berglez & Lena Neureiter
International Office - Welcome Center
Sustainable business travel - by bus to the Unite! Dialogue to Grenoble
March 15, 2023
For TU Graz, green travel and sustainability are not just empty words, but corporate values that are actually lived.
Thus, the 24-member TU Graz travel group, a colourful mix of researchers, lecturers, administrative staff and members of the rectorate, travelled by bus to the 7th Unite! Dialogue in Grenoble, France. This makes an important contribution to achieving the university's ambitious goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030.
Along the way, they were able to network perfectly over a coffee and use the long travel time to exchange experiences!
Compared to travelling by plane, a total of 18.7 tonnes of CO2 could be saved. If we had travelled by plane, the business trip would have caused 21 tonnes of CO2 - almost 90% of the emissions were saved by travelling by coach.
More information on the 7th Unite! Dialogue
Gabriele Bernsteiner, Communication Officer UNITE!
Delegation visit from University of Novi Sad
December 21, 2022
To foster our successful collaboration with the University of Novi Sad over the summer programme in Chemistry, which has already existed for more than 15 years, a delegation visited TU Graz on 15 and 16 of December.
They included Prof. Nataša Simin, the newly appointed academic coordinator of the summer programme, as well as Ivana Pejovic, International Relations Officer, and Gordana Vlahovic, Head of International Affairs. During their two-day visit, we had fruitful discussions over the future of the summer programme, including the expansion of the bilateral agreement and also undertaking more teaching exchanges in the future. In addition, they met group leaders who supervised former summer students and learned more about their research work.
A guided tour of Graz, including a visit to the Eiskrippe and the Christmas market rounded off the visit.
Barbara Lorber, Coordinator for International Affairs
Signing co-operation agreements..
December 7, 2022
University co-operation agreements are often signed in the course of a delegation’s visit in the presence of rectors or presidents of both parties. There are usually 2 original versions, one for each party. Due to corona, this was changed more and more to getting agreements signed digitally and in many cases, having just a pdf version of an agreement has been considered perfectly fine.
Within the framework of the 2022 International Conference on the Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Research and Application, which is taking place at Tongji University, Shanghai, China, as well as online, the strategic cooperation agreement between TU Graz and Tongji University was renewed on 29 November, across two continents online on camera. While Prof. Chen, President of Tongji University, signed one original of the agreement at the conference site in Shanghai, Rector Kainz did the same in his office at TU Graz, both live on camera.
The two originals that are now signed by one party are sent to the other party and will be signed there, too. There you go, agreements can be signed in different ways.
Claudia Jansen, International Office - Welcome Center
Intensifying co-operation with the University of Sheffield
November 21, 2022
The Brexit may make it a little harder for us to co-operate with institutions in the UK, and we cannot rely on the Erasmus+ mobility schemes the way we used to, but co-operation interests have not died down. Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sergio Vernuccio from the University of Sheffield. Truly international, Sergio graduated from the University of Naples Federico II, did his PhD at ETH Zurich and having spent some time in the US as a post-doc, he is now a lecturer at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield.
Common co-operation interests led to his visit at TU Graz’ Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology where he also held a very interesting lecture for students. On his last day in Graz, he learned about international relations at TU Graz, discussed future funding possibilities and got a tour of the Alte Technik campus. As co-operation interests in chemical engineering are getting stronger, closer co-operation and yearly visits may soon be on the agenda.
Claudia Jansen, International Office - Welcome Center
6th Unite! Dialogue at Politecnico di Torino, Italy
October 27, 2022
From 20 to 22 September, the 6th Unite! Dialogue took place at Politecnico di Torino (PoliTO). For the first time, TU Graz joined the Dialogue as a full partner of Unite! University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering, alongside representatives of the eight European partner universities.
The programme included stimulating round tables on the current and future role of university alliances and their impact, as well as task force meetings to further advance the ambitious goals of Unite!. Another significant item on the programme was the signing of the Unite! Charter by the rectors of the two new partner universities TU Graz and Wrocław Tech. The signing of the two rectors marks the end of the process of joining Unite!, which has been ongoing since December 2021, and the beginning of even closer cooperation in building a European university model.
We look forward to a productive and fruitful collaboration!
Andrina Dolinšek, International Office - Welcome Center
Co-operating with Washington State University
October 17, 2022
An invitation to an Italian university brought Prof. Joseph Iannelli from Washington State University, Pullmann, USA, back to Europe for a second time this year. Having met at the end of May in Graz, we would not have expected to have him back again for a visit so soon. But knowing Joseph’s passion for internationalisation and development of international partnerships, of course, he seized the opportunity and combined his trip to Italy with a trip to Graz. Well, better sooner than later, we should think, and there is always potential for interesting meetings between the two partner universities.
Joseph’s visit on Tuesday last week focused on co-operations in mechanical engineering and advanced materials sciences and possibilities for student and staff exchanges. Moreover, Joseph’s “Mission to Mars” course was put into shape at LLT’s and we are excited to know soon when it will actually be available on iMoox.
Claudia Jansen, International Office - Welcome Center
Match Making @ TU Graz
August 2, 2022
Mario Kircher and Adrian Baumunk are both doing their PhD within the Matched PhD Programme. This is the most current initiative started between the two strategic partners TU Darmstadt and TU Graz. The idea is to build a community of young scientists that collaborate in similar fields of research. This network will build the base for further collaboration in research and teaching. For young scientists it is crucial to connect with other researchers not only at their home university but also internationally.
We hope that the bonds between Mario K. and Adrian B. initiated by the Matched PhD Programme will lead to a long-lasting collaboration and friendship.
Barbara Böttger, International Office - Welcome Center
Deutschstammtisch for international staff
July 28, 2022
Learning the language of the country you are living in is probably one of the most essential ways of getting to know the culture. As only learning the language in a classroom setting might however not suffice, a new format was now initiated for international staff at TU Graz: a German regulars table!
Organized by the Welcome Center, whilst initiated and hosted by our highly German-enthusiastic international staff member Dr. Anastasia Kucheryavaya, we already had two nice evenings in the International House. Our language learners, from beginners to near experts, had the chance to freely practice their German in a nice and secure atmosphere, whilst also getting some tips on things to do in and around Graz, and more.
If you are an international staff member of TU Graz, and feel like you lack German speaking practice, contact the Welcome Center to get further information on our next regulars table!
Jasmin Hus, Interntional Office - Welcome Center
Forum Technik und Gesellschaft Goes International
July 20, 2022
Last Wednesday, the annual Get-Together of “Forum Technik und Gesellschaft Goes International” took place at TU Graz. Every year, local companies award a so-called “company grant” to selected outgoing students within the Erasmus+, ISEP and overSEAs programme, meaning they receive extra funding for their time abroad!
After presentations by the companies, our students had the opportunity to introduce themselves and network with representatives while enjoying finger food and drinks.
Throughout the event, it became more than once obvious that studying and living abroad boosts a student’s CV and therefore helps to land his*her dream job. As a result, our outgoing students were quite busy discussing future job perspectives and offers with the company representatives!
Manuel Außerlechner, International Office - Welcome Center
Georgia Southern University &
the ISEP connection
July 12, 2022
TU Graz has been part of the ISEP network since 2005 and has been able to facilitate student exchanges in many parts of the world through ISEP ever since. Georgia Southern University (GSU) is one of the 300+ partner universities in this network, and this week we had the pleasure of hosting Aniruddha Mitra, Professor of Mechanical Engineering from GSU, at TU Graz. He seized the opportunity of a Europe trip to get to know TU Graz and its opportunities for student exchanges and to make first contacts with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Business Sciences, represented by Prof. Cecilia Poletti, its Coordinator of International affairs.
Several possible starting points for collaboration have been identified, and to start with, two TU Graz students will actually spend the next semester at GSU!
Claudia Jansen, International Office - Welcome Center
Matched PhD - University of Strathclyde meets TU Graz
July 7, 2022
The Matched PhD program is part of the strategic cooperation between TU Graz and the University of Strathclyde (UoS) in Glasgow, Scotland. I am working in such a joint project with my match, Jonathan Draper. The intensive cooperation in the first year ended with a three-week research stay of Jonathan at my institute, the Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming (IMAT). The welding tests carried out provides important insights for the validation and optimization of the simulations that Jonathan performs at UoS.
In addition to the productive research work, he also had the opportunity to get to know Graz better, although a planned ski day unfortunately could not take place. Yet another reason to come back soon.
Sebastian Fritsche, Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming
City tour for summer programme students
July 5, 2022
Amidst beautiful sunshine five summer students from Serbia and Egypt were given a tour of Graz, which will be their home for the next few weeks. Johanna, our guide, took us on a two hour city tour from the TU Graz Campus to the opera, along several other sights and finally a walk up the Schlossberg.
In addition several nice places for a dinner & drink and the best ice cream places in town were pointed out. Which will all give much needed respite after a day of lab work! We all enjoyed the tour and it was a wonderful opportunity for the summer students to get to know each other better. Barbara Lorber, Coordinator for International Affairs, who joined the tour as well got to know the city from a different perspective: "I also learned quite a bit about the history of Graz, as it was my first official city tour despite having lived here for 7 years!"
Barbara Lorber, Coordinator for International Affairs
Getting to know Walter Sisulu University, South Africa
July 1, 2022
TU Graz does already have WSU as a partner university. But why not have 2? We have been cooperating with WSU - Washington State University, USA, on various levels for several years, and we now had the pleasure of being introduced to WSU – Walter Sisulu University, South Africa.
This university has about 30.000 students and it focuses on quality academic, technological and career-orientated programmes that provide relevant skills for development in rural and urban areas.
Prof. Benedicta Nkeh-Chungag, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, visited TU Graz this week and introductions were made in order to get to know each other’s universities in more detail. Specific cooperation interests in the fields of medicinal plants as well as advanced materials sciences, etc. were identified, and a first get-together with members of the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology proved considerable interest on both sides.
Let’s see what can be developed in the near future.
Claudia Jansen, International Office - Welcome Center
TU Graz Summer Party - Unite!
June 30, 2022
At the end of June, the Rectorate of Graz University of Technology cordially invited all employees of Graz University of Technology to a summer party. The party took place in glorious weather in the afternoon at the Inffeldgasse campus, and this year's motto of the party was "Unite!
Unite! stands for University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering - a European university alliance of which TU Graz has recently become a member. As part of the festival, food from all participating Unite! partner countries could be tasted.
The cooperation in UNITE! will open up many opportunities and possibilities for Graz University of Technology in the coming years, and all employees are cordially invited to participate in the network, to get involved and to help shape it.
The reunion on campus and social get-togethers were a welcome change from the restrictions on personal contact due to the Corona measures.
Claudia Jansen, International Office - Welcome Center
Farewell Picnic: The final hooray before leaving Graz
June 30, 2022
It was a bittersweet afternoon this Wednesday, 22 June in the International Garden of TU Graz as our summer term incoming exchange students came together one last time to celebrate their accomplishments, memories and friendships that have flourished during their time in Graz.
Seeing snow for the first time, learning how to ski, gaining independence and successfully coping with the Austrian dialect were among numerous other aspects our incomings looked back on with a smile.
After sharing all of these special moments, our incomings enjoyed snacks and drinks together and made even more memories that will accompany them on their journey home.
All the best to our incomings – we are very sad to see you go but no goodbye is forever!
Manuel Außerlechner, International Office - Welcome Center
TU Darmstadt and TU Graz celebrated the 5th anniversary of their strategic partnership
June 24, 2022
For five years TU Darmstadt and TU Graz have been strategic partners and there is no other university partnership that has led to as much collaboration in research, teaching and university management. One of the most outstanding success stories is that of CREATOR the first German-Austrian collaborative research center. Seed funding of both universities made first meetings between the initiators of this fabulous research alliance possible.
If you are interested in starting a cooperation with colleagues at TU Darmstadt there is a special funding scheme. The two universities are now also tightly linked through the European University Alliance Unite! The spirit of a strong commitment could be experienced during the first visit of the whole TU Darmstadt executive board at the beginning of June. Learn more about the highlighs of this visit here.
Barbara Böttger, International Office - Welcome Center
Welcome back, Joseph!
June 7, 2022
What else could we say? Ever since Prof. Joseph Iannelli, Assoc. Dean for International Programs, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture at Washington State University, USA, first contacted TU Graz, he has made it a habit of visiting TU Graz on a yearly basis, and the partnership has developed very well indeed. After two years of Covid restrictions, we are happy to welcome Joseph back again. The agenda was intense, as usual. Course mappings in civil engineering to facilitate student exchanges were discussed, potential co-operation interests in chemistry as well as materials science were talked about, applied mathematical issues were the topic during lunch, funding opportunities and challenges in student exchanges later on in the afternoon. Joseph met motivated PhD students at the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, and an introduction to the iMooX platform certainly left an impression, too. May WSU even be the first US university to offer a course on iMoox?
Claudia Jansen, International Office - Welcome Center
Saying hi from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore!
May 31, 2022
The covid-19 pandemic had made it impossible to host delegations from partner universities around the world, and we very much appreciate being able to welcome visitors again now.
Sierin Lim is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and the Associate Dean for Global Partnerships at the Graduate College, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, and when she flew over to Vienna to attend a conference, she popped over to Graz for a site visit at TU Graz on Friday, 20 May. Sierin has been one of the leading persons involved in the joint PhD programme of NTU and TU Graz, and even though she only had a few hours here in Graz, she was able to not only be welcomed by Rector Kainz and have meetings at several institutes, but also enjoy Austrian finger food at the International Garden, along with our current exchange students from NTU and staff of the International Office who are involved in facilitating the co-operation between the universities on various levels.
Claudia Jansen, International Office - Welcome Center
IN&OUT … come together!
May 23, 2022
On 12 May, the International Office - Welcome Center was delighted to have a full house at the IN&OUT ... come together! event. This year it was held in the International Garden at Lessingstrasse 32 for the first time.
We were able to welcome around 50 incoming and outgoing students in the International Garden. With the help of a few ice breaker sessions, our curious participants were able to get to know each other, exchange valuable insider tips for their home cities/countries, as well as talk about their expectations for their stay abroad and their international experiences so far. Since interesting conversations develop even better on a full stomach, sandwiches and lemonade provided the ideal sustenance for some international networking.
Sitting comfortably together in the International Garden, the students were able to break out of their usual bubble and network with each other while enjoying the best weather and fine snacks. A complete success!
Andrina Dolinšek, International Office - Welcome Center
Internationals get to know Graz
May 18, 2022
You can tell it's spring when the days get longer and we feel the urge to get more active again. After the winter it is now even nicer to meet other people to discover Graz together.
As a result, also the International Office - Welcome Center took advantage of this time of year to organize various activities for our international staff and students. Among them were for instance a guided tour of the Schlossberg, a trip to the Botanical Garden, a visit to the climbing park at the Hilmteich as well as a trip to the Crime Museum. With a lot of fun and enthusiasm our international guests spent time together and got to know Graz a little bit better.
Gerlinde Müller-Reinisch, International Office - Welcome Center
TCA „Inclusive Mobility for Higher Education” in Stockholm 7 – 8 April 2022
May 13, 2022
In early April, the transnational training and cooperation activity „Inclusive Mobility”, organized by the Swedish Council of Higher Education, was held in Stockholm with over 100 participants from all over Europe. The Austrian delegation consisted of 4 representatives of different universities, including TU Graz and one representative of the Austria´s Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD). On the topic „How can we make mobility more inclusive?” there were numerous presentations and workshops and we got the possibility to exchange information, experiences and good practises.
Many ideas and contacts for further cooperation could be generated on this occasion. So, this important topic is being pursued with great commitment at TU Graz!
Elisabeth Messner, International Office – Welcome Center
InComm: Feel at Home – Staff training at TU Graz
May 5, 2022
From March 30 – April 1, the International Office – Welcome Center was participating in an exciting training programme – the InComm Training. The aim of this training was to improve the onboarding process for newly enrolled national and international master and PhD students, improve their feeling of inclusion and to foster the creation of a true international campus. Together with our InComm partner universities Instituto Superior Técnico, TU Darmstadt, TU Eindhoven, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, KTH Royal Institute of Technology as well as many motivated colleagues and students from TU Graz, we had many inspiring workshops and discussions on things that could be implemented in the future. The focus was on creating an inclusive university community in the international classroom, as well as by supervising students in their PhD.
We are now working hard on the implementation of the outcomes, so that TU Graz will become even more inclusive and welcoming for all our students!
Find more information on the project on https://www.incomm-project.eu/
Jasmin Hus, International Office - Welcome Center
First time full house
May 4, 2022
Somehow it even feels weird to be in a packed seminar room, but then again it feels great! For the first time since moving into the International House we were able to host a workshop with a full house. Twenty-three highly motivated students reflected on their cultural imprint, discussed strategies to cope with culture shock and shared expectations of their study abroad experience. The room was full of energy and laughter – just as it should be and will be in the weeks and months to come.
Barbara Böttger, International Office - Welcome Center
Multidisciplinary workshop on the development of ecological biocomposite material
March 22, 2022
The AlNaFiCS (Alginate Natural Fiber Composite Structure) workshop combines materials engineering with architecture, applied arts, design, conservation and restoration. It was held in cooperation with the University of Arts in Belgrade (FPU - Faculty of Applied Arts) and the Faculty of Architecture at TU Graz. Led by Dr. Stavrić (TU Graz) and Dr. Živković (FPU), students worked on contributing to the development of ecological biocomposite materials.
Within a five-day workshop, students had the opportunity to explore the possibilities of using alginate composite materials as building materials through a series of experiments. Following the workshop, in order to raise awareness of the long-term positive effects on the environment and the economy, and to share the results of the workshop with both professionals and a wider audience, experimental models from the workshop were presented at the Museum of Science and Technology in Belgrade.
SFB research team (Institute for Architecture and Media, TU Graz) at the exhibition in Belgrade
The Perfect Buddy - Intercultural Training
March 9, 2022
Sharing experience and challenges alongside reflecting about one’s own cultural imprint is the main goal of our workshop on intercultural awareness for buddies. I really enjoy being with all the motivated students discussing skills, competences, character traits of the “perfect buddy”. This time my favorite statement was “to lend an ear”. When I ask about the motivation for becoming a buddy all of them tell me that they love meeting people from different cultures. Some of the buddies had the pleasure of being helped by a buddy themselves during their study abroad others are planning a study abroad and want to improve their language skills, make friends in the country they want to go to … Having someone who helps you find your way around, settle in, adapt to the new surroundings is of great value. So, we want to say thank you for your voluntary engagement!
Barbara Böttger, International Office - Welcome Center
Becoming part of Unite!
February 15, 2022
The International Office – Welcome Center proudly announces that TU Graz and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology have become full future partner of the unite! University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering. Unite!, being TU Darmstadt, Aalto University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Grenoble INP-UGA, Politecnico di Torino, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and Universidade de Lisboa, bridges the gaps between engineering, science, technology and the grand challenges of society. The network strongly builds on a new form of cooperation involving the whole institution, including a number of experts and practitioners as well as the input of many individuals.
The benefits are manifold: new academic offers, peer-learning, complementary competences, larger (scientific) networking opportunities, greater pool of resources. We are excited to be a part of this alliance.
International Office - Welcome Center
First German-Austrian Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio has received funding
February 14, 2022
Seed funding within strategic partnerships leads to large-scale projects. This is shown by the new TRR-SFB which has received funding of more than eight million euros, jointly by DFG and FWF. In the future, TU Darmstadt and TU Graz will deepen and advance their joint research on the simulation of electrical machines. The TRR-SFB is closely integrated into the structures at both universities, such as the Centre for Computational Engineering (CCE) at TU Darmstadt and the Graz Center of Computational Engineering (GCCE).
Annette Mütze, Martin Schanz and Sebastian Schöps, initiators of the collaboration, have been working together for many years and have successfully used the opportunity of the special TU Graz – TU Darmstadt funding both for research and teaching related projects.
Further information about this TRR-SFB is available at: https://www.tugraz.at/en/tu-graz/services/news-stories/media-service/singleview/article/computersimulation-optimiert-elektrische-maschinen-erster-deutsch-oesterreichischer-sonderforschungs/ and www.trr361.de.
Barbara Böttger, International Office - Welcome Center
Visit from "Campus France Autriche" at the International House
February 9, 2022
Last week we had visitors in our International House who are closely connected to France. We were pleased to welcome Johannes Caliskan, Attaché for Scientific and Academic Cooperation, Institut Francais and Vincent Delaplace, Officer for "Campus France Autriche" at the Institut Francais.
They told us more about the Campus France Autriche and scholarship opportunities. We also talked about our partner universities in France and possible future cooperation. If students are interested in studying in France, Vincent is definitely a good contact point. Interested students can get in touch with him via e-mail: vincent.delaplace@institutfr.at. Completing an exchange semester or an internship in France is also possible via the EU funded Erasmus+ programme (Erasmus+ Student Mobility and Erasmus+ Traineeship). You can find more information in TU4U.
From left to right: Johannes Caliskan & Vincent Delaplace from the Institut Francais; Sabine Prem (Director) & Elisabeth Meßner from the International Office – Welcome Center, TU Graz
International Office - Welcome Center
