Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is New Zealand is one of the world’s best modern universities, ranked among the top 100 young universities and placed in
the top 125 in the world in by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 as well as receiving a 5-star rating by world university rankings organisation QS.
AUT research is focused on real-world impact and has more than 60 research centres and institutes delivering innovative research – from artificial intelligence and
robotics to ecology and public health with special focus on technological, human centred solutions. This academic diversity is reflected by the delegation of four AUT
professors to Vienna to present their research and what contributions AUT has to offer in collaborative research. Since 2024, New Zealand is fully associated to Horizon
Europe for Pillar II project participation. This event is also an opportunity for BOKU to showcase some of the EU funded research and to extend their network and discuss potential collaborations with
New Zealand.
Agenda
09:00 Welcome – Christian Obinger, BOKU Vice Rector for Research and Innovation
09:10 Introduction to AUT – Professor William Wong, Assoc. Head of School (External Engagement and International), School of Engineering, Computer and
Mathematical Science.
09:20: Diversity of AUT Faculties and Research Areas
• Prof Sebastian Leuzinger- Applied Ecology
• Dr Stacey Vallis - Future Environments and Disaster Preparedness
• Prof. Ben Wooliscroft - Macromarketing and Social Transitions
• Prof. William Wong - Informatics and Human-Computer Interaction
10:15: Coffee/Tea Break
10:45 BOKU in Action – a Showcase of BOKU Involvement in EU funded Research & Innovation
• Institute of Landscape Planning - LAND4CLIMATE Project: Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) on private land, Thomas Thaler and EU Life project SRI2MARKET
Supporting the Introduction of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) in Europe, Eric Menke
• Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction - REWET Project - Sustainable restoration and conservation of terrestrial wetlands, Magdalena von der
Thannen / Anna Lindenberger
• Institute of Forest, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy – FORADVISE Project - European advisory and extension networks on forestry, Ivana Zivojinovc
• Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA) – Pooling resources for disaster research in Austria and beyond, Christan Resch / Rene Kastner
• Institute of Geotechnical Engineering -– MOTRAN ERC Project - Modelling mass movements at granular level, Wei Wu
11:45 Panel Discussion – What makes a successful international collaboration project?, Stephen Webb
12:00 – 13:30 Light lunch and networking
13:45: Departure to BOKU River Lab
14:15 – 16:00 Excursion to BOKU River Lab (Max 30 people – pre-registration necessary)
• Introduction to BOKU River Lab, Kevin Reiterer
• IINOSED Project – Innovative Sediment Management in the Danube River Basin (Marlene Haimann)
• River Lab tour, Kevin Reiterer
