International Office

Cultivating a Global Mindset in Higher Education: Supporting International Students & Advancing Partnerships

• Creating an inclusive and international university environment requires effective support for international students, strong partnerships, intercultural competencies, and the integration of global perspectives across the institution.

• This track focuses on internationalization and more specifically on approaches to support regular international degree-seeking students as well as exchange students. Another emphasis will be placed on the role of international partnerships and what it takes to maintain, develop, and advance these in a future-orientated sustainable manner.

Key questions for discussion:

• How can universities create an inclusive environment that supports international students throughout their academic journey?

• Which services, practices, and approaches help international students feel welcomed, connected, and supported?

• How can universities foster a global mindset among students and staff across the institution?

• What approaches support the development of sustainable and mutually beneficial international partnerships?

• What roles do collaboration, communication, and intercultural competence play in advancing internationalization?

• Which skills and capacities are needed to successfully support diverse and international student communities?

Target group:

• Higher education professionals working in students services, such as International Offices, Study Information Units, Support Offices for International Students, Student Communications, and departments related to the support of international students and advancement of international partnerships.

Taking the Next Step: Advancing Digital Services in University Management

• A new generation of digital services makes university management more collaborative, allowing more efficiency and/or better results. Specialized digital tools enable cooperation across administrative units, between university administration and academia, and with various stakeholder groups.

• This track brings together university professionals to exchange experiences, discuss challenges in advancing digital services, and explore approaches that can help institutions make the next step towards more connected, effective, and future-oriented university management.

Key questions for discussion:

• How can emerging generations of digital solutions create new opportunities for collaboration, efficiency, and value creation in university management?

• How can university leaders balance the opportunities, expectations, and limitations associated with collaborative digital platforms and artificial intelligence?

• How should responsibilities and collaboration between IT services and other administrative units be structured to drive digital innovation effectively?

• What opportunities and risks arise when developing or adopting digital solutions beyond standard software applications?

• How can leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and staff engagement support the successful advancement of digital services?

• What strategies can help universities design and improve digital processes and services across organizational and functional boundaries?

• Which competencies, resources, and partnerships are critical for successfully navigating digital transformation in higher education?

Target group:

• University management professionals including experts in finance, HR, legal services, research support, stakeholder management and communications, strategic management, who are interested in exchanging perspectives on digital transformation and technology-enabled collaboration in university management.

Future in Focus: Organizing Academic Libraries for Change

• Academic libraries are responding to changes in research, teaching, technology, and society. Meeting new demands requires not only the development of services and expertise, but also organizational structures, processes, and working cultures that support adaptation and continuous learning.

• This track brings together library professionals from across Europe to exchange experiences, discuss organizational challenges, and explore approaches that can help libraries respond effectively to change and uncertainty.

Key questions for discussion:

• How can academic libraries organize themselves to respond to changing demands and priorities?

• Which organizational structures and working cultures support adaptation and innovation?

• How can libraries balance stability with the need for change?

• What roles do leadership, communication, and staff participation play in organizational development?

• Which skills and capacities are needed to navigate change successfully?

Target group:

• Library professionals interested in exchanging perspectives on organizational development, shared challenges, and approaches to supporting change in academic libraries, including project work, service development, and organizational change initiatives.

Please note that these providers operate independently of WU Vienna. Ensure your arrival time matches the check-in hours of your accommodation and review cancellation policies before booking.

• Spark by Hilton (Wien Messe Prater) located close to Campus WU (walking distance approx. 2–5 minutes).

• Motel One Wien Prater located close to Campus WU (walking distance approx. 10 minutes).

• Superbude located close to Campus WU (walking distance approx. 5–10 minutes).

• The Social Hub located close to Campus WU (walking distance approx. 25 minutes or 15 minutes when using the metro).

• Zoku Vienna located close to Campus WU (walking distance approx. 5–10 minutes).

Vienna International Airport (VIE) is approximately 16 kilometers east of Vienna in Schwechat. The quickest and easiest ways to get to the city center are by public transportation or taxi:

• Rail Jet, REX, S-Bahn (Austrian Federal Railways - ÖBB) – €5.30

• Bus (Vienna Airport Lines)  – €11

• CAT (City Airport Train) – €14.90

• Airport Taxi  – €38 (to book in advance)

• Taxi – around €50

Vienna is easily accessible by train from neighboring countries and nearby destinations. The city's main station, located in the southern part of Vienna, is well-connected through an extensive network of subway, tram, and bus lines.

For example, you can reach Stephansplatz (city center) in just 6 minutes from the main station using the red U1 subway line in direction Leopoldau.

• Maps of the transportation network

Vienna has an outstanding and affordable public transportation network, which includes night buses during the week and 24-hour subway service on weekends.

• Operated by the Wiener Linien

• Buy tickets online, at Wiener Linien offices, or at the ticket machines at the airport or subway stations

• Recommended: 7 days ticket available at €25.20

WU Vienna is located in Vienna’s second district at Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna in between the subway station Messe-Prater and Krieau of the purple subway line U2. It is right next to Vienna’s well-known “Prater” park, which is easy to reach using the city’s public transportation system.