A Word from the Rector

Dear readers,

WU Vienna University of Economics and Business is constantly changing, working to secure its position in the international community, and setting a strategic course for a future as an internationally established top university. WU’s ambitious but realistic goal is to become one of the top 15 business universities in Europe, thus making WU one of the world’s best universities in its field, even beyond the German-speaking world.

The EQUIS accreditation, granted to just over 130 universities worldwide, and numerous excellent international rankings (including the Financial Times) confirm the high quality of WU and its programs.

WU was Austria’s first university to make the transition to the Bologna system of bachelor, master and doctoral programs, which guarantees degree programs that are internationally recognized and in line with international standards. WU’s faculty includes professors from all over the world, and WU plans to add to their number by increasing international recruitment efforts. WU’s internationally oriented programs, some taught entirely in English, are attracting an increasing number of international students to WU. Out of WU’s 25,000 students, every fourth degree-program student comes from outside of Austria. A network of 220 partner universities in Europe, America, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand provide excellent opportunities for international exchange. Strengthening WU's research base is another key strategic area. Important measures taken to improve WU’s qualitative research output include the support and sponsorship of young researchers, and increasing the number of publications in top journals. Various forms of financial support from foundations, banks and corporate partners are also available to encourage WU’s researchers.

The positive changes happening at WU will soon be made even more visible with the construction of an entirely new campus. WU’s new home is currently under construction on a 90,000 m2 site next to Vienna’s beautiful Prater park, with excellent connections to public transportation. Five building complexes, each bearing the distinctive signature of a different, internationally recognized architect, will provide plenty of space for teaching, learning and research. In 2013, the changing face of WU will be reflected in a new campus complex embodying WU’s central values – internationality, quality and entrepreneurship.

I hope you enjoy discovering the new WU web site, which has also been given a fresh, new look.

Christoph Badelt
Rector