Annual Conference 2026

Program

From 09:00 Registration

and informal networking over coffee and cake

10:00 - 10:15 Opening Remarks

Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science, and Research, video message

Hannes Raffaseder, Executive Director of the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten

Eva Werner, President of AQ Austria

10:15 - 10:30 Spotlight: The Importance of International Collaboration for Quality in Austrian Higher Education

Elmar Pichl, Section Chief, Federal Ministry for Women, Science, and Research

10:30 - 10:40 Pulse Check: From buzzwords to practice

10:40 - 11:20 Keynote: Sustainable collaboration in higher education: What is the added value of quality assurance? (english)

Bjørn Stensaker, EQAR President, University of Oslo

11:20 - 11:30 10-minute break with time to change rooms

11:30 - 12:30 Sessions & Workshops I 

Five sessions taking place simultaneously

Session 1: The European Approach: Tools, processes & lessons learned

Presentations & Discussion (english)

Joint Programmes as a driver for European Higher Education Area tools and commitments?

Beate Treml, OeAD

European Approach and European Degree Label – Lessons learned, work in progress and reflection in the context of the European University E3UDRES2

Giuliana Sabbatini, USTP
Leopold Kögler-Vencour, USTP

Session 2: Governance und Qualitätssicherung in Joint Programmes

Workshop (german)

Wenn Jointness auf Realität trifft. Governance und Qualitätssicherung in internationalen Studienprogrammen

Sina Westa, Universität für Weiterbildung Krems
Attila Pausits, Universität für Weiterbildung Krems

Session 3: Spannungsfelder und Herausforderungen internationaler Kooperationen

Presentations & Discussion (german)

Gemeinsame europäische Studienprogramme – ein Orientierungslauf ohne Karte und Kompass?

Evamaria Schlattau, FH des BFI Wien
Andreas Breinbauer, FH des BFI Wien

European Master in Wood and Circular Economy – Ein Katalysator für Hochschultransformation und europäische Integration

Günter Berger, FH Salzburg GmbH

Session 4: Mobilität als Motor von Qualitätsentwicklung

Workshop (german)

Von der Mobilität zur Qualitätsentwicklung Erasmus+ als Praxisfeld institutioneller Evaluation und institutioneller Lernprozesse

Anita Konrad, PH Tirol
Barbara Saxer, PH Tirol

 
Session 5: Enhancing teaching quality through international cooperation

Presentations & Discussion (english)

From Inspiration to Transformation: How International Exchange Reinvents Teaching Quality

Elisabeth Froschauer-Neuhauser, FH Technikum Wien
Nina Thiel, FH Technikum Wien

International collaboration @ home with eTwinning

Diana Gross, Private PH Augustinum

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch break

13:30 - 14:30 Sessions & Workshops II

Five sessions taking place simultaneously

Session 6: Internationalisierung von Curricula

Workshop (german)

Internationale und interkulturelle Kompetenzen für alle durch Internationalization of the Curriculum

Stephan De Pasqualin, BMFWF

Julia Warmuth, OeAD

Lukas Hefner, Vienna University of Economics and Business

Session 7: Inclusive internationalisation through transcultural communication

Presentations & Discussion (english)

The Power of Continuous Challenge: How a Summer School Shapes International, Inclusive, and Innovative Higher Education

Eberhard Raithelhuber, Bertha von Suttner Privatuniversität


The Erasmus+ Teacher Academy Project on Teaching Sustainability (TAP-TS): A study in partnership, trust, and collective learning

Elena Revyakina, PH Wien

Petra Szucsich, PH Wien

Session 8: Mehrwert und Impact internationaler Kooperationen / The added value and impact of international partnerships

Presentations & Discussion (german, english)

Fachhochschulen in European University Alliances: Profilgewinn oder Zielgruppenverlust?

Katalin Szondy, FH Wien der WKW

‘What’s in it for me?’: European examples for internationalising university-industry partnerships

Zsuzsanna Zarka, 3s

Session 9: Monitoring and assessment of international collaboration

Workshop (english)

From Reflection to Simulation: Experiencing Regional Engagement Assessment in Practice

Alexandra Laschkolnig, USTP

Edita Struplova, USTP

 
Session 10: Impact of international networks on higher education quality

Presentations & Discussion (english)

Opportunities of international networking: Insights into the practice of ASEA-UNINET and EURASIA-PACIFIC-UNINET

Peter Lieberzeit (requested), University of Vienna

Josef Strobl, University of Salzburg

International collaborations and recognition networks

Nan Travers, State University of New York Empire State College (emeritus), USA (online)

Susan Forseille, Thompson Rivers University, Kanada (online)

14:30 - 15:00 30-minute coffee break with time to change rooms

15:00 - 15:15 Spotlight on impact and key challenges in international cooperation (german)

Jakob Calice, Managing Director of the OeAd - Agency for Education and Internationalization

15:15 - 16:15 Discussion between the audience and experts (german)

Hannes Raffaseder, Executive Director of the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten

Gerd Christian Krizek, Head of Study Portfolio & Student Affairs, IT:U (Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria)

Angelina Kratschanova, Director of the International Office, Academy of Fine Arts

Elisa Kreuzeder, EULiST (European Universities Linking Society and Technology) Student Board Alumni

Moderation: Micha Teuscher, Vice President, AQ Austria

16:15 - 16:30 In a nutshell: Reflection & Outlook (german)

Jürgen Petersen, Managing Director, AQ Austria

Frances Blüml, Expert in Visualization and Visual Facilitation, visuell.gedacht

Ab 16:30 Informal wrap-up

Conference Moderation: Agnes Witzani, Head of Analyses and Quality Enhancement, AQ Austria

Graphic Recording: Frances Blüml, Expert in Visualization and Visual Facilitation (visuell.gedacht)