The THE Ranking 2022 represents the first time that the University of Klagenfurt has also been ranked in the field of “Engineering”. Being ranked second among Austrian universities at the first attempt is due in no small part to the outstanding research achievements of the scientists and the field’s high degree of internationality. The relatively young Faculty of Technical Sciences is confident in maintaining its chosen course – and continues to reach for the stars.

“16 years after establishing the field of Information and Communications Engineering at the University of Klagenfurt, we have now been included in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking in the field of ‘Engineering’ and with it in the field of ‘Electrical and Electronics Engineering’. From day one, we have worked tirelessly, and now we can enjoy the fruits of our efforts, such as this achievement”, says Gerhard Friedrich, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences.

His faculty is home to international luminaries in their subjects who perform especially well in the ranking indicator “citations”. This means that the research findings presented by these scientists are used by colleagues very often. Similarly, the level of internationalisation is exceptional: Around 43 percent of those who conduct research and teach at the faculty have an international background, and among the doctoral students this factor reaches around 60 percent. Among all the universities in the German-speaking region (DACH), Klagenfurt features in the top 15.

“Within the broad spectrum of engineering subjects, our main focus is on information and communication technology as well as robotic systems. One cross-disciplinary area of focus includes autonomous and self-organising systems. Over the past ten years, Klagenfurt has become a prominent hub for drone research in Europe,“ Christian Bettstetter explains.

Appointed in 2005, he was the first of meanwhile nine professors in the field. In the future, networked sensor systems will allow even greater interaction between man and machine, especially in the industrial sphere. Researchers are also working on intelligent energy systems and 6G, the mobile phone standard of the day after tomorrow, which will lay the foundations for future innovations.

Those interested in learning and researching in this innovative environment are encouraged to come to the Faculty of Technical Sciences by Lake Wörthersee: In addition to the Bachelor’s degree programme in Information and Communications Engineering, the range of programmes includes the Master’s degree programme in Information and Communications Engineering (ICE) with two branches of study “Autonomous Systems and Robotics” and “Networks and Communications”. In addition to these more technical Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes, a branch of study focusing on “Business Engineering” has also been running for some years now and has proved very popular. The dedicated teaching staff can be experienced at a distance from the benches in the lecture halls, but also in close supervisory relationships. Judith Wieser is in the third semester of her degree in Information and Communications Engineering and appreciates the benefits: “The degree programme in Information and Communications Engineering represents a future-oriented blend of the fields of computer science and electrical engineering. Here at the University of Klagenfurt you are never just a number. The excellent supervision provided by internationally distinguished lecturers is what sets the programme apart for me.” Plans are underway to expand the range of programmes on offer.