The Academy for Continuing Education of the TU Wien launched five brand new MBA programs in May. At the beginning, the participants met under the guidance of leadership expert and Dean Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Güttel for a special leadership training in the Vienna Woods and in Puchberg am Schneeberg to sharpen their leadership skills. The insights gained into their own leadership behavior coupled with the latest scientific insights made the start of the program in unusual surroundings a special experience.

At the beginning of the three-day "Leadership Retreat", which took place in compliance with the current Covid-19 requirements of the TU Wien (3-G rule), a module on leadership and organizational basics was on the agenda. The participants learned how they function in a team, where their strengths and weaknesses lie, how to influence the organizational context through self-leadership, team leadership and leadership, as well as the basics of situational leadership and strategic priority setting. In the subsequent highlight of the module - a "bridge-building game" across a river - the participants then had the opportunity to playfully demonstrate their abilities as leaders, to critically question them and to analyze them from a scientific point of view.

The summary of Prof. Wolfgang Güttel, head of the Academy for Continuing Education at the TU Wien, after the successful start of the new programs: "The challenges of the last months have shown that an update of background knowledge and the acquisition of leadership skills are essential for specialists and managers. I am particularly pleased that we have now been able to launch the new MBA programs in face-to-face form, as participants greatly appreciate the experience-based exchange and networking among themselves.

The fact that we address people with a wide range of backgrounds with our programs makes the shared experiences, which take place in an environment that is not only open to criticism, feedback and discussions about one's own leadership behavior, but also decidedly desires it, so valuable for each individual."

Adrian Brodesser, student of the MBA Innovation, Digitization & Entrepreneurship was also satisfied with his participation after the start: "The MBA start with the module "Leadership & Organisational Behavior" enabled me to reflect on my role as a CEO by means of practical team activities. It was especially exciting to see how simple tasks in the wild can end up in the same management mistakes as in everyday professional life."

In the coming summer months, the participants will deal with the topics of Organization & Change and Teams & Communication, among others, at further "Leadership Retreats". Both the MBA team at TU Wien and the students are already looking forward to the next get-together.

About the new MBA programs at the TU Wien:

New technologies are opening up unprecedented opportunities for society. At the same time, the use of technical innovations poses special challenges to our managers today due to their fast pace and complexity. They therefore need special skills to be able to operate successfully in the most exciting industries of the 21st century. This is where the new MBA programs in Management & Technology, which will be launched again in October 2021, come in.
 

German-language programs:

• MBA Digital Transformation & Change Management
• MBA General Management
• MBA Mobility Transformation
• MBA Strategic Management & Technology
   

English-language programs:

• MBA Innovation, Digitalization & Entrepreneurship
• MBA Risk Management & Corporate Finance
• MBA Automotive Industry
   

About the Academy for Continuing Education:

Since 2005, the Academy for Continuing Education (ACE) has been the TU Wien's central contact for postgraduate education at the intersection of technology, management and leadership. In an increasingly technological world, we support participants (graduates as well as specialists and managers) in achieving their individual goals and shaping our future. Through the knowledge of our renowned lecturers, we bridge the gap between research and business and combine scientific know-how with practical applicability. In this way, we effectively refine the individual skills of our participants and broaden their professional and personal perspectives.

We currently offer 12 master's programs, 3 university courses and various compact programs that address popular trends (e.g. digitalization, sustainability) and are tailored to the needs of the participants. Accreditations by recognized international institutions distinguish the high quality of postgraduate education at TU Wien. In addition to imparting the most up-to-date and forward-looking knowledge, the ACE offers an innovative learning environment with a first-class level of service. To date, more than 2438 executives, high-potentials and professionals from 94 countries have been educated and trained.