Universities expand Austrian‑Swedish collaboration
For over a decade, researchers and educators from Mid Sweden University and FH Technikum Wien have collaborated on research projects and student exchange programmes. On November 11th, colleagues from both universities gathered in Östersund to explore opportunities for a continued partnership.
So far, the collaboration has resulted in multiple exchange students and a significant boost in internationalisation between the Vienna-based university and Sports Tech Research Centre at Mid Sweden University.
During the day-long meeting, discussions covered a wide range of topics from research funding, educational programmes and student projects, to trends within the educational sector as well as new possibilities for collaboration.
Left to right, facing the camera: David Sundström, researcher at Sports Tech Research Centre, Dan Bylund, dean at the Faculty of Science, Technology and Media at Mid Sweden University, Thomas Mandl from the Faculty Computer Science at FH Technikum Wien and Lars-Erik Rännar deputy head of the department of Engineering, Mathematics and Science Education at Mid Sweden University listening to the presentations.
Shared challenges and opportunities
– I see many similarities between the universities, both when it comes to financing research, but also in terms of attracting students to technical programmes, said Lars-Erik Rännar, deputy dean at the Department of Engineering, Mathematics and Science Education.
The changing trends in enrolment in engineering programs was also highlighted by Florian Eckkrammer, managing director of FH Technikum Wien, during his presentation of the university. He also noted that demand for technically educated graduates continues to grow.
– Society needs people who can solve problems, and industry needs new engineers, Eckkrammer emphasised.
In the foreground, Maria Fredlund from the international relations office and Nils Nilsson from the department of Natural Science, Design and Sustainable Development both Mid Sweden University. In the background Sylvia Geyer, rector at FH Technikum Wien in conversation with Mats Ainegren, researcher at Sports Tech Research Centre.
Andrey Koptyug, researcher at Sports Tech Research Centre and one of the event’s organisers, presented examples of the Austrian master student’s projects carried out over the past decade at Mid Sweden University. Many of these projects have been directly linked to ongoing research at the research centre, demonstrating the mutual benefits of the collaboration.
– Our collaboration started as an initiative of researchers and grew to a cooperation between our universities in both research and education, formalized in the double degree agreement signed in 2019. Beyond the fact that exchange students contribute to the research carried out at our research centre, it also helped us to develop a new approach to Master by Research programmes and exchange opportunities, says Andrey Koptyug.
Continued partnership and broadened collaboration
Throughout the afternoon, the participants continued discussions of future opportunities, including Erasmus+ exchanges and developing joint courses designed for students from both countries, while addressing political and administrative challenges. Visits to the research labs at Sports Tech Research Centre and Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre was also on the agenda.
Left to right: Sylvia Geyer, rector at FH Technikum Wien, William Sjöström, PhD student and Andrey Koptyug, researcher at Sports Tech Research Centre in the additive manufacturing laboratory.
In addition to representatives from Sports Tech Research Centre, colleagues from the Department of Natural Science, Design and Sustainable Development at Mid Sweden University participated, presenting their engineering programs and exploring how they might engage in future joint initiatives.
Sylvia Geyer, rector at FH Technikum Wien, also highlighted how methodical internationalisation can be a key factor for extended collaboration.
– All our students are required to complete at least one module focused on internationalisation, and the student projects at Sports Tech Research Centre are a good example of this, she remarked.
The visit accentuated the role of international collaboration in advancing research, innovation and quality in the field of technology education, inspiring both universities to deepen their partnership in the coming years.