Fourteen students, a majority of them female, from eight different nations have started the 15^th round of the MSc program Environmental Technology and International Affairs this fall. Ambassador Emil Brix from the Diplomatic Academy kicked the evening off with some remarks on the unique nature of the program: “It is a difficult program, because you have to go beyond what you normally do and you have to change subjects, quite dramatically sometimes. However, I am convinced that what we are doing, especially now in Europe in this field of green technologies and climate justice - I would call it – is something that needs the right people to implement those things. Not only in the government, but people who understand from both sides of the field why we are doing it.”

Professor Bob Martens, Dean of Academic Affairs for Continuing Education at the TU Wien Academy, commented on the interesting composition of the cohort, which he sees as “almost a little United Nations network, with participants from Europe, Asia and Africa, where half of you have a background in Business, sometimes Law and a little political science.” He also mentioned the long-standing partnership of the two institutions that also extends to ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria).  

Dr. Christoph Scharff, CEO of ARA, elaborated on why they have an interest in supporting the program and awarding outstanding graduates with their Best Study Award:  “We at ARA are convinced that we need young leaders, young decision makers with your knowledge and your capacity. The circular economy is a cross-cutting issue, you need all the skills from natural science, international law, sociology and economics, and that’s what you get here, it’s what you learn here at ETIA.”

After these words of welcome, the students, staff and faculty were treated to drinks and appetizers, while mingling and getting to know each other and the program team. One of the new ETIA-students, Felix Bruch (BSc from WU) explained why he chose this field of study: “I chose ETIA because it is simply a good intersection between my previous education in business studies and my areas of interest. I knew I wanted to do something in the direction of sustainability and it is intriguing that I can study and also build a network at two well-known institutions.“ Others in the group also highlighted the consideration that has been put into making the new cohort feel welcome. Theresa Breit (BSc from WU) and Georgine Callar Odero (BSc from Meru University, Kenya) said, “everyone put a lot of effort into making us feel at home. It was nice to meet our new colleagues and the students who are already in their second ETIA-year, who were ready to give advice and tell us about the program and the faculty.”

For more information about the ETIA program visit www.etia.at, opens an external URL in a new window