A few days ago, the academic year 2026/27 officially started. Our campus here at the University of Graz is filling up with vibrant life again, and we finally had the chance to welcome our international students in person.

For our students in the Joint Programmes, this is particularly exciting: starting an international Master's degree in a new city, a new country, and a new higher education system - while bringing along a rich diversity of cultural and educational backgrounds.

At the Office of International Relations, we are proud to be welcoming one of our largest intakes in Joint Programmes so far and to witness, once again, how quickly lifelong friendships begin to form during the very first welcome events.

This was also true for the first teaching and welcome session of our Joint International Master in Sustainable Development last week, organised by the Department of Environmental Systems Sciences. It marked the start of an inspiring study journey shaped by the programme's unique structure.

After the first semester at their entrance university, students move in the second semester to one of the partner universities, where they can deepen their knowledge in one of the thirteen currently offered specialisation tracks. In doing so, they gain valuable insights into international and national academic perspectives, while also developing strong intercultural competences.

The Joint International Master in Sustainable Development brings together the expertise of seven international higher education institutions and offers students the opportunity to benefit from the integrative and multi-disciplinary approach, which strengthens open-mindedness and allows them develop fast response skills to complex challenges in their future careers. Its international orientation prepares globally minded young professionals for the international labour market. 

A warm welcome to the University of Graz.

(Anja Hoffmann)