Technical Universities in International Exchange: First Dialogue between 4TU and TU Austria in Graz 2017
The leaders of the technical universities from the Netherlands and Austria jointly discussed current higher education topics in an international context.
Top: Ijsbrand Haagsma, Harald Kainz, Frank Baaijens, Arthur Mol, Thom Palstra (from left to right) Bottom: Wilfried Eichlseder, Elke Standeker, Sabine Seidler, Karel Luyben, Melanie ten Asbroek-Braamhaar (from left to right) © Baustädter – TU Graz
What TU Austria is in Austria, 4TU is in the Netherlands – the alliance of the country's technical universities. For several years now, TU Austria has been increasingly focusing on networking with international associations of technical universities. Building on the experiences gained from the constructive exchange with the German TU9 alliance, which has been taking place regularly for two years, the international network has now been successfully expanded to include the Netherlands.
On the initiative of the TU Austria presidency, the 4TU rectors Frank Baaijens (Eindhoven University of Technology), Karel Luyben (Delft University of Technology), Arthur Mol (Wageningen University & Research), and Thom Palstra (University of Twente), as well as Ijsbrand Haagsma (Secretary General of the 4TU.Federation) and Melanie ten Asbroek-Braamhaar (Grants Advisor, University of Twente), visited Graz on June 2, 2017, to discuss common challenges and strategies.
Together with the TU Austria rectors Sabine Seidler (TU Wien), Harald Kainz (TU Graz), Wilfried Eichlseder (Montanuniversität Leoben), and TU Austria Secretary General Elke Standeker, the 4TU rectors discussed not only current higher education policy aspects and framework conditions during this working meeting but also a wide range of topics – from digital education and excellence in education and research to European networks and internationalization strategies.
"Especially in the field of technology, the perspective must be a global one. Networking with international technical universities is therefore a key concern for TU Austria. We were very pleased to welcome our colleagues from 4TU to Graz," said TU Austria President and TU Wien Rector Sabine Seidler.
About TU Austria
Three Austrian Universities of Technology – One Force – United Through Excellence
The Austrian universities TU Wien, TU Graz, and Montanuniversität Leoben founded the association "TU Austria" in 2010. This created a network in the technical and natural sciences field with more than 49,000 students, 5,500 graduates annually, and 8,600 employees. The mission of TU Austria is to pool all resources to achieve more together in the areas of research, teaching, and higher education policy, and to act as a strong partner for business and industry with concentrated expertise.
About "4TU"
The 4TU.Federation is a partnership between Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Twente University, and Wageningen University. The four technical universities in the Netherlands have jointly committed to strengthening and uniting technical knowledge.
Contact:
Mag. Dr. Elke Standeker Bakk. MBA
Secretary General of TU Austria
Phone: 0043 (0)38424027013
elke.standeker(at)tuaustria.ac.at
Ir. IJ.G. (IJsbrand) Haagsma
Secretary General 4TU.Centre for Ethics and Technology
Phone: 0031(0)618086856
secretaris(at)4tu.nl
Website: http://4tu.nl