Industrial Engineering: Study trip to South Africa

This year, 24 students from the Faculty of Industrial Engineering (Master’s programs in Industrial Engineering and Business and Innovation and Technology Management) took part in the international study trip, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Following the basic idea of the event, which is to offer a high-quality international experience especially to part-time students, it is very popular and scores highly due to the exchange of experiences with Austrians abroad, expatriates and other exciting personalities. The students learn about the business and personal challenges that have to be mastered in the country visited.

From January 28 to February 9, students visited branches of Austrian companies (e.g. Andritz, Backaldrin, Alpla, Plasser & Theurer) and local as well as globally active organizations (e.g. Bühler, pwc, BMW) along the Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town route.

There were also exciting fireside chats, for example with the Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, Mr. Andrews, and with the Austrian Ambassador, Ms. Romana Königsbrun.

The students experienced a dense program of visits. Thanks to the sponsoring by the UAS Technikum Wien (International Office) as well as the companies Kraus & Naimer and ACAM, the travel price for the students could be reduced significantly as in the previous years.

This year’s study trip again enabled the participants to meet exciting personalities abroad and to broaden their horizons. In addition to employment relationships, a cooperation agreement for exchange students and a doctoral program have developed from previous study trips. The study trip sharpens intercultural competence and adds practical facets to curricular knowledge.