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Rector Jens Schneider Reappointed for a Second Term

The University Council and the Senate have approved Rector Schneider’s reappointment for the 2027–2031 term

Group photo

© TU Wien | Matthias Heisler

Jens Schneider will begin a second term as Rector of TU Wien. The University Council and the Senate reappointed the incumbent Rector in March 2026. The new term of office begins on October 1, 2027, and lasts four years, ending on September 30, 2031.

Procedure and Legal Basis

Under the University Act, the reappointment of a rector follows a simplified procedure. The Senate of TU Wien approved the motion for reappointment at its meeting on March 16, 2026, with 22 out of 26 votes in favor. The University Council, chaired by Prof. Johanna Stachel (University of Heidelberg), unanimously approved the reappointment at its meeting on March 26, 2026. With the confirmation by both governing bodies, Rector Schneider is set to serve another term.

Recognition of Achievements

Prof. Johanna Stachel, Chair of the University Council: “Through the fuTUre fit process, Rector Schneider and his team have carried out a comprehensive strategic planning process, and the implementation of the measures has begun; however, it will certainly require another term in office to take full effect across all areas of TU Wien. We wish him the best of luck in this endeavor.”

Prof. Bernhard Hofko, Chair of the Senate: “The vote was preceded by an intensive exchange between the Senate and the Rector. The strong vote in the Senate is based on the results for future cooperation. I look forward to leveraging this strong momentum for the coming term to further develop TUW together.”

fuTUre fit: Successful Strategy Implementation Since Taking Office in 2023

Since taking office in October 2023, the Rectorate team at TU Wien has driven the university forward with a clear strategic focus, strong implementation capabilities, and a commitment to innovation. The successes are measurable: The number of students grew by 6%, with a particularly strong international component (EU +27%, non-EU countries +28%). Research revenue rose by 16% to 136 million euros between 2023 and 2025, and the number of scientific publications increased by 5%.

In 2024, the launch of the participatory strategy process “fuTUre fit”  laid a strong foundation for the institution’s future. The process—involving ten working groups and broad participation from students, professors, and staff—defined eight strategic goals and collaboratively developed the vision for the coming years:
TU Wien – where we dare to reason.
The creative urban tech university.
Unlimited.

The strategy focuses on strengthening research-driven teaching, improving research funding, expanding the startup and innovation ecosystem, making progress on gender equality and inclusion, fostering international partnerships, and taking key steps toward digital transformation and campus development. In 2025, the university continued on this path with determination. The fuTUre-fit strategy was institutionally anchored and implemented on a broad scale through concrete projects. New initiatives emerged, e.g.: strengthening the startup ecosystem with the Spin-Off Factory, the Noctua Science Ventures Fund, expanding the TU Wien Foundation with the Lumina Fund (€4 million endowment), the Gender Equality Office, Inclusion TUnlimited, Academic AI on-premise, the International Welcome Center, and the fuTUre fit project CycleFIT. At the same time, sustainability goals were defined and work has already begun on their implementation, community relations have been expanded, and TU Wien’s international visibility has been significantly increased.
Significant milestones were also achieved in human resources development and teaching—with new standards, process optimizations, and expanded support services (e.g., Student Support and Project 150+)—which is reflected in increased examination activity and graduation rates. TU Wien was also able to solidify its position as one of Austria’s most attractive employers.

Of particular importance was the further development of national, European, and international visibility and collaborations within TU Austria (with the new associate partners BOKU, JKU Linz, and the University of Innsbruck since October 2025), the EULiST University Alliance (11 European partners), and international strategic partners such as TU Berlin, Imperial College, and the University of Tokyo.

Rector Schneider’s Perspective and Goals

Regarding his reappointment, Rector Jens Schneider states: “The trust placed in me by the university community and governing bodies fills me with deep gratitude and entrusts me with a great sense of responsibility. Together, we will continue to build on the strengths of TU Wien—excellence, diversity, and team spirit—at one of Europe’s most attractive centers of science. People are always at the center of this. With the vision ‘TU Wien – where we dare to reason,’ we focus on our unique strengths. The Seven Ts—Technology, Talent, Tolerance, Trust, Transparency, Team, and Truth—shape our collaborative culture and enable us to strategically advance the university in the face of international competition. In doing so, we increase its visibility and strengthen its role as a driving force for science, business, and society in Austria and Europe. I will continue to drive this development forward with full commitment and passion.”

Strategic Priorities for the Second Term

Rector Schneider’s reappointment stands for continuity, reliability, and a clear path forward. Based on the fuTUre-fit strategy, TU Wien will systematically expand its role as Austria’s largest technical university and a prominent international player. The following strategic goals are central:

Infrastructure and international positioning: TU Wien will systematically develop its campuses and infrastructure, advance key construction projects (in particular the new Physics Arsenal building), and establish itself as a European research hub at the Europa Campus Hainburg. International visibility is to be strengthened through top-level appointments, strong research alliances, the establishment of the Center for AI in Science & Engineering (CAISE) and Vienna AI in collaboration with the University of Vienna, and positioning within strategic networks such as TU Austria and the EULiST University Alliance. And in the future as well, the financial basis for this must be secured through negotiations with the ministries. After all, investments in science and education are among the most important drivers of economic development.

Research, Teaching, and Digital Transformation: A key focus is on the close integration of research and teaching. Degree programs are being modernized, international offerings expanded, and new initiatives such as AI4All and Entrepreneurship4All advanced. New doctoral programs and initiatives are fostering Austria’s scientific and innovation ecosystem. Digital transformation is being established as a strategic priority—with artificial intelligence such as Academic AI on-premise LLM, a focus on data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and new role profiles for a future-proof data and IT infrastructure.

Entrepreneurship, Diversity, and Sustainability: The culture of innovation will be further strengthened, and new spaces and formats for interaction will be created. Diversity, equality, and inclusion will be even more firmly embedded. Sustainability will be implemented as a guiding principle in research, teaching, and operations, while entrepreneurship, spin-offs, start-ups, and collaboration with business, industry, and the City of Vienna will provide additional impetus for knowledge transfer and societal impact.

Community and Science Communication: TU Wien is committed to a strong sense of unity: Together, we are TU Wien! Community, alumni engagement, visible science communication, and multilingual communication are intended to position the university even more powerfully both internally and externally; for example, the “Q” (Austrian Science Communication Center), will open in the heart of Vienna in 2027 in collaboration with the University of Vienna and the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW).

About the Person

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Schneider has been Rector of the TU Wien since October 1, 2023, and is the current President of TU Austria, the alliance of Austria’s three technical universities in Vienna, Graz, and Leoben, with three associated partner universities (JKU Linz, BOKU University, and the University of Innsbruck). After completing his studies and earning his doctorate in civil engineering, he worked in academia and research and held several leadership positions in both the academic and business sectors. His academic focus lies in glass research and structural engineering. As rector, he drives the strategic development of universities in an international context as well as entrepreneurship and innovation, while also championing excellence in research and teaching, an inclusive and diverse university culture, and close collaboration between academia, industry, and society.

Jens Schneider’s reappointment for a second term represents the consistent continuation of a forward-looking course that strategically refines TU Wien, institutionally strengthens it, and leads it into the future with the clear vision - “TU Wien – where we dare to reason.”