Upper Austrian State Parliament Visits IT:U

On 21^st November 2024, members of the Upper Austrian State Parliament visited IT:U to strengthen the collaboration between regional government, education, and industry. The visit showcased IT:U’s cutting-edge approach to interdisciplinary and project-based learning and sparked discussions on how interdisciplinary research and innovation can address the challenges of tomorrow.

“Seeing is Believing” with the Learning Labs Tour

The visit began with a warm welcome and comprehensive update from Founding President Stefanie Lindstaedt, who highlighted IT:U’s growth and the developments in both teaching and research. Then the delegation toured the IT:U Learning Labs, where they explored the university’s model of project-based learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.

During the tour, parliamentarians witnessed firsthand how IT:U’s Learning Labs foster innovation. Small, interdisciplinary groups of students work on projects addressing societal, economic, and scientific challenges. Students from disciplines such as engineering, medicine, business, and design collaborate to develop solutions that can be applied directly in the real world.

Meet & Greet with Founding Professors

The delegates also had the opportunity to meet with Founding Professors, who shared insights into their research groups and ongoing projects. The professors lead innovative work in artificial intelligence, neuroscience, geosocial AI, and human rights, demonstrating IT:U’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and its practical applications.

“Our eleven Founding Professors bring a remarkable diversity of expertise and experience from the international scientific community. They lay the foundation for excellent research and interdisciplinary collaboration. We see ourselves as a network university, working closely with scientists from universities in Austria and abroad, as well as with Upper Austrian businesses and industries, to address the challenges of our time.”
Stefanie Lindstaedt, IT:U Founding President

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Regional Innovation

The visit highlighted IT:U’s role as a driver of innovation in Upper Austria and beyond. IT:U’s interdisciplinary approach and cutting-edge research are shaping the future of higher education and digital transformation. With its team of eleven Founding Professors, IT:U is poised to make significant contributions to both regional and international advancements.

“IT:U aims to be a driver of innovation for Upper Austria. To achieve this, new models in teaching and research are needed – models that have already helped develop universities and businesses in other countries and lead them to the forefront of innovation. Through project-based, personalized learning, IT:U trains ‘Digital Transformers’ across disciplinary boundaries. With their knowledge, the digital transformation in industry and business will be significantly advanced, ultimately benefiting society.”
Claudia von der Linden, Chairwoman of the Founding Convention of IT:U.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Upper Austrian State Parliament for their visit and continued support, and we look forward to future collaborations to drive regional innovation.

“The IT:U is a once-in-a-century opportunity for Upper Austria. Innovation is the driving force behind our strong economy and industry. With the IT:U and its pioneering role in future technologies, a turbo is now igniting the innovation power in our state. It is therefore clear that the IT:U must be established in Upper Austria to complement our excellent existing institutions, such as JKU and the universities of applied sciences, and to further drive the research and scientific location forward.”
Margit Angerlehner, Chairwoman of the ÖVP Parliamentary Group in the Upper Austrian Parliament (Landtag), Mayor, Commercial Counsellor

“The IT:U impresses with its innovative approach and clear focus on forward-looking research and practical learning. The visit provided exciting insights into the interdisciplinary work and pioneering achievements of this young institution. It is inspiring to see how vision and reality come together here to actively tackle the challenges of the future.”
Herwig Mahr, Chairman of the FPÖ Parliamentary Group in the Upper Austrian Parliament (Landtag), Commercial Counsellor

“Digital transformation is happening, and it brings both opportunities and risks. IT:U is confronting this process openly and courageously tackling the challenges. It is proof that modern education, where students and teachers work together on problem-solving, is possible. It is a role model – also for other areas of Austrian education, where we are still missing this spirit of innovation.”
Sabine Engleitner-Neu, Chairwoman of the SPÖ Parliamentary Group in the Upper Austrian Parliament (Landtag), Commercial Counsellor

“The visit to IT:U was impressive and informative. We are grateful for this opportunity. We have entered highly complex yet realistic scientific terrain, glimpsed a piece of the future. We experienced significant know-how, which, together with great team spirit, promises much. The digital transformation is already underway. It is no longer an option, but a necessity. It is up to us to use digitization to address the central future questions of our society. But for that, we need highly specialized knowledge, such as that gathered at IT:U.”
Severin Mayr, Chairman of the GRÜNE Parliamentary Group in the Upper Austrian Parliament (Landtag)

“The visit to IT:U impressively showed how innovative and forward-looking university education can be shaped. It is a learning concept that we had not encountered in this form before but holds tremendous potential for universities in the future. What I find particularly exciting is that this method, working interdisciplinarily and practically on solutions, is already established practice in business. This model demonstrates how to handle modern challenges by bringing together different disciplines and working together on real solutions. IT:U sets standards from which other educational institutions could benefit.”
Manuel Krautgartner, Chairman of the MFG Parliamentary Group in the Upper Austrian Parliament (Landtag)

“What stands out is the interdisciplinarity in the founding convention and the strong practical relevance in education. IT:U is a role model for how research and practical education can create innovative solutions that directly address societal challenges. In doing so, future technologies are advanced for the benefit of Upper Austria’s scientific landscape, providing practical answers to the questions of our time.”
Caroline Seirl, Director of the NEOS parliamentary group in the Upper Austrian Parliament (Landtag)