The first idea for a postgraduate Engineering Management MSc program at TU Wien came up as a cooperation with the Oakland University in Rochester (MI) in 1992. The main goal has been to educate managers for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) as well as  Department Heads of large companies in the manufacturing industry.

After some discussions and mutual visits, a general cooperation agreement between Oakland University and TU Wien was signed on January 25, 1995 in the Rector’s office of TU Wien. The main points were an international faculty, a two week stay at Oakland University with lectures and company visits. The participants received a MSc degree in Engineering Management and an academic record from Oakland University as well as a certificate from TU Wien.

On October 20, 1995, the first program with 11 participants was launched in Austria. The subsequent programs until 2005 took place in different locations in Lower Austria and Vienna. Since 2007, this program has been running in the framework of the Continuing Education Center (CEC) of TU Wien. During these past 20 years, the topics were continuously adapted to incorporate the latest developments in technology and economics.

Until now, there are more than 140 graduates. Most of them are currently in higher management positions in the industry worldwide or founded their own successful companies.