The Vienna University of Technology is a public research university in Vienna, Austria. The university's teaching and research are focused on engineering, computer science, and natural sciences. It currently has about 28,100 students (29% women), eight faculties, and about 5,000 staff members (3,800 academics).

History

The institution was founded in 1815 by Emperor Francis I of Austria as the k.k. Polytechnisches Institut. The first rector was Johann Joseph von Prechtl. It was renamed the Technische Hochschule in 1872. In 1975, it was renamed Technische Universität Wien.

Academic reputation

As a university of technology, Vienna University of Technology covers a wide spectrum of scientific concepts from abstract pure research and the fundamental principles of science to applied technological research and partnership with industry. The Vienna University of Technology is ranked #190 by the QS World University Ranking, #406 by the Center of World University Rankings, and it is positioned among the best 251-300 higher education institutions globally by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The computer science department has been consistently ranked among the top 100 in the world by the QS World University Ranking and The Times Higher Education World University Rankings respectively.

Organization

The Vienna University of Technology has eight faculties led by deans: Architecture and Planning, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Sciences, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Mathematics and Geoinformation, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Physics. The university is led by the Rector and four Vice Rectors (responsible for Research, Academic Affairs, Finance as well as Human Resources and Gender). The Senate has 26 members. The University Council, consisting of seven members, acts as a supervisory board.

Research

Development work in almost all areas of technology is encouraged by the interaction between basic research and the different fields of engineering sciences at Vienna University of Technology. Also, the framework of cooperative projects with other universities, research institutes and business sector partners is established by the research section of Vienna University of Technology. TU Wien has sharpened its research profile by defining competence fields and setting up interdisciplinary collaboration centres, and clearer outlines will be developed. Research focus points of Vienna University of Technology are introduced as computational science and engineering, quantum physics and quantum technologies, materials and matter, information and communication technology and energy and environment. The EU Research Support (EURS) provides services at Vienna University of Technology and informs both researchers and administrative staff in preparing and carrying out EU research projects.

Notable faculty and alumni

Library

The TU Vienna Bibliothek, the university library, was founded in 1815. The main library building was designed by the architects Justus Dahinden, Reinhard Gieselmann, Alexander Marchart, Roland Moebius, and partners. Completed in 1987, it features owl sculptures by the Swiss artist Bruno Weber. The main library has six floors of open access areas and reading rooms, with around 700 study desks.

Sports

The university hosted the IFIUS World Interuniversity Games in October 2007.

Notes and references