2024 marks the 35th anniversary of the partnership between UT Arlington and LFU Innsbruck. The success of this academic venture builds upon students, scholars, and faculty who pushed their frontier in a quest for new horizons. Established by the late Professor Craig Kuhner in 1989, the program took a significant step forward in 1996 when the Exchange Program officially began. Over the years, Professors Gabriela Seifert and John Maruszczak have played pivotal roles in strengthening the program’s foundation and development.
Taking on the leadership role in 2016, my strategy was to expand the academic partnership from a (1) Faculty Program and (2) Exchange Program to include a (3) Summer Program and a (4) Scholar Program. With the launch of the new (5) International Program in 2024, we now encompass all facets of academic exchange between both universities. Since 1989, a total of 138 participants have been involved, with a remarkable 104 faculty, scholars, and students participating since 2016, marking the most significant growth in the program’s history. The recent $10,000.00 grant from the Austrian-American Partnership Fund, issued by the US Embassy in Vienna in 2023 underscores the importance of academic and cultural exchange between the United States and Austria.
My distinct goal has been to introduce an urban sustainability and climate resilience focus to address pressing contemporary challenges. We encourage past, present, and future participants to apply their experiences and expertise in their professional careers. As architects, landscape designers, urban planners, and engineers, it is our duty to reshape built environments in response to the planetary crisis in an era of uncertainty. I hope that these programs can serve as a guide for all participants in developing a profound understanding of the interconnected systems that shape our world as they journey towards becoming global citizens.
I would also like to express my thanks and gratitude to LFU Innsbruck, my alma mater, and UT Arlington for supporting this partnership and providing extraordinary opportunities to generations of participants.
DR. OSWALD JENEWEIN, Program Director, Assistant Professor
