Workshop at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) 

„University President’s Forum – Academic and Research Excellence Towards Sustainable Development“ in the frame of the Eurasia Pacific Uninet „Sustainable Urbanisation – Development of liveable Cities in Urban Areas“

Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia – UAS Technikum Wien Rector Fritz Schmöllebeck and FH-Prof. Peter Franz participated in the President’s Forum with the aim to bring together Presidents/Rectors of leading partner universities to exchange and share their experiences. “We further hope to construct options for exchange of globalized knowledge, enhance collaborative pathways for the future, and develop justified policies for sustainable development”, so Peter Franz.

The Forum included two panel discussions:

Academic Excellence Panel: Presidents discussed the rigor and relevance of academic settings and learning environments of the current and future nature of work, technological advances of knowledge economy, and fourth industrial revolution.

Research Excellence Panel: Presidents, Researchers, Company leaders debated on ways to reinforce positive and long-term impact of university research on society with a special focus on potential areas of joint research and graduate studies.

Three questions to Rector Fritz Schmöllebeck, regarding academic excellence:

What is the importance of academic excellence?

In a global society, academic excellence and high-quality education is the foundation of global well-being. Our future challenges cannot be solved by one country, by one continent. Bringing together the brightest minds joins those forces and enhances possibilities and abilities for exchanging our knowledge.

What is the meaning of academic excellence?

Excellent research, dealing ethically with findings from research… all a matter of sustainability! „Lead by example“ should be our guiding motto when we support students to carry out purposeful and ethic scientific work. Take care of our young scientists, also in social matters – they are eager to do science, no matter the working conditions.

What should be our ultimate goal, education, or excellence?

We should strive for both, education as well as excellence! „Two faces of one coin“. Do research on the highest possible quality level AND high-quality teaching. The future lies in the hands of our graduates!

Photos © Peter Franz 2019