The main aim of Arqus is to develop a new form of European university through international cooperation in research, study and teaching. In addition, Arqus aims to pool the expertise of the partner universities in order to respond to societal challenges. The alliance offers numerous joint programmes, events and calls for students, researchers and administrative university staff.
The Arqus Community
Five members of the Arqus Community at the University of Graz talk about what it means to them to be part of Arqus.
Emily Wapler, Arqus Ambassador and student on the Joint Master's Programme Sustainable Development at the Arqus Universities of Graz and Leipzig:
"For my Master's, it was important for me to find a study programme that combined my previous experiences. The Joint Master's Programme in Sustainable Development, which is offered at both Arqus Universities in Graz and Leipzig, gave me exactly this opportunity: Gaining intercultural experience, studying in an international context and a holistic focus on sustainable development. I am supported by the Arqus Talent Scholarship Fund for my Master's programme. At the same time, as an Arqus Ambassador, I would like to work to promote the values of Arqus to the outside world."
Lea Pešec, Arqus Project Manager & Lead of the AI & Digital Transformation Living Lab:
"The alliance has allowed us to form a team of people with different interdisciplinary perspectives on AI and digital transformation. This diversity, encompassing different disciplines, has a strong potential for a broader understanding of the topic. The Arqus Living Lab acts as an open space for the development of initiatives by researchers, teachers and students, professionals and external stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment."
Mario Müller, Arqus Research Support Officer Community of Practice & Research Management:
"As coordinator (Action Line 6) in the application phase, I was also able to help shape the alliance from the very beginning. As research support was no longer continued as a separate action line in the second funding period, I founded an RSO CoP (Research Support Officer Community of Practice) last year. As a co-designer in the application phase, the alliance is of course particularly close to my heart. Apart from that, the exchange with my colleagues at other universities is particularly valuable for me, especially in the current phase of change - keyword AI - in order to stay on the ball internationally."
Gerald Lind, Arqus Advisor "PhD Pursuit" & Doctoral Academy:
"It is important to me personally to provide pre-doctoral and post-doctoral students at the University of Graz with funding programmes that are as internationally oriented as possible. Arqus offers an excellent platform for this. It also seems important to me to counteract the nationalist-isolationist tendencies that are unfortunately currently virulent throughout Europe with a project such as the Arqus Alliance that aims to deepen and expand international cooperation."
Mireille van Poppel, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Gender Equality:
"Science is all about getting the best minds round the table, regardless of the country they work in. Within Arqus, this international cooperation is particularly profound and offers an inspiring and trusting setting for content-related dialogue, not only for our scientists but also for our general staff. This exchange takes place through various collaborations, joint projects and mobilities. Arqus is intended to motivate all members of the university to network with colleagues from other universities and get ideas on how they deal with current challenges and solve problems. Within Arqus, the strengths of the University of Graz can be expanded and utilised, but weaknesses can also be eliminated together."
Five years of Arqus
In October 2023, Arqus turned five years old. On this day, the alliance celebrated the successful collaboration and implementation of innovative teaching and research initiatives.