From autumn, students on the master's degree programmes in Production Science and Management at TU Graz and in Industrial Mechanical Engineering in Bolzano will be able to graduate from both universities.
From the winter semester 2025/26, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (unibz) will offer the joint, English-language study programme “Smart and Sustainable Production”. The corresponding inter-university cooperation agreement was signed by Stefan Vorbach, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at TU Graz, on 18 June during his visit to the Faculty of Engineering at unibz. The co-operation enables master's students to complete a cross-border double degree.
One semester each at the partner university
The four-semester “Smart and Sustainable Production” study programme provides a standardised curriculum for all students pursuing the double degree: The second semester takes place at unibz, the third at TU Graz. The master's thesis is jointly supervised by lecturers from both universities. Graduates of the programme receive two academic degrees: the degree Diplom-Ingenieur*in (MSc) from Graz University of Technology and the Master of Science in Industrial Mechanical Engineering from the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.
Contribution to strengthening the Alpine region as a centre of innovation
“Double degree programmes such as the master's degree in Smart and Sustainable Production are an important impetus for in-depth European educational and research cooperation,” says Stefan Vorbach. "The partnership between TU Graz and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano not only unites two excellent academic institutions, but also creates ideal conditions for international mobility, intercultural learning and practical training in a forward-looking field. With this double degree, our graduates are excellently prepared for the demands of a global labour market and at the same time make a valuable contribution to strengthening the Alpine region as a centre of innovation."
Alex Weissensteiner, Rector of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, adds: “For a university like ours, which is located in a border region, the partnership with first-class institutions such as TU Graz means opening up new horizons for our students and at the same time promoting the development of a cross-border scientific community.’
On the TU Graz side, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Economics played a decisive role in the launch of the new study programme. The main players here were Dean Franz Haas, Deans of Studies Hannes Hick and Bernd Zunk as well as programme coordinator Matthias Wolf. At unibz, Yuri Borgianni is the programme director.