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: Quality assurance of collaborations - what contribution can quality assurance make to sustainable collaborations?
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
Agnes Kriz, 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
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 (german, english)
Opportunities of international networking: Insights into the practice of ASEA-UNINET and Eurasia-Pacific Uninet
Christoph Wayu Niederhauser, OeAD
N.N.
International collaborations and recognition networks
Nan Travers, State University of New York Empire State College (emeritus)
Susan Forseille, Thompson Rivers University
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
Jakob Calice, Managing Director of the OeAd - Agency for Education and Internationalization
15:15 - 16:15 Discussion between the audience and experts
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
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)