Future Women Engineers Build International Networks at FH Upper Austria's Wels Campus

Sixteen future women engineers from 14 countries across the globe spent two weeks at FH Upper Austria's Wels Campus building one of the most valuable resources for their future careers: a strong international network of like-minded peers. Alongside exploring innovative technologies, the participants immersed themselves in Austrian culture. The students came from Morocco, Estonia, Belgium, Brazil, Peru, Australia, Israel, the Philippines, Croatia, Italy, Mexico, Vietnam, Bolivia, and Germany.

Now in its twelfth year, the International Summer Academy in Engineering for Women (ISAE4W) has become a well-established international program that connects women in engineering through an ever-growing global network. This year's academy focused on six key areas addressing some of today's most pressing technological challenges: mobility, energy, health and nutrition, design and technology, and collaboration.

Laboratory sessions, workshops, and project work were led by researchers and faculty members from FH Upper Austria, together with external industry experts. Topics included design thinking and creative engineering methods, lightweight construction, bridge engineering, water turbine simulation, artificial intelligence, current developments in nutrition science, extended reality, medical engineering, and the Internet of Things.

"One of the greatest benefits of the Summer Academy is the international network it creates. Many participants stay in touch for years and continue to benefit from international exchange," says Mag. Kamilla Trubicki from the International Office, organizer of the Summer Academy, highlighting the friendships formed in Wels.

Reflecting on the Impact of Technology on Everyday Life
Collaboration was further encouraged through an interdisciplinary group project titled "The Impact of a Technological Innovation on Our Daily Lives in 15 Years." Working in multicultural and interdisciplinary teams, participants combined the knowledge gained during the program with their own experiences. Together, they developed innovative concepts for future technological developments and explored their potential societal impact.

The project required technical expertise, outstanding teamwork, and critical thinking. Supervising FH professors Claudia Probst, Karin Nachbagauer, and Manuel Selg praised the participants for developing "exciting projects with significant potential for the future."

Connecting with Business and Society in Upper Austria
The Summer Academy also provided valuable opportunities to experience engineering in practice. Industry and research institutions opened their doors to the participants, offering firsthand insights. Visits included Rosenbauer, the Transfer Center for Polymer Technology (TCKT), and the Department of Medical Engineering at FH Upper Austria's Linz Campus.

The program was complemented by a guided tour of Wels, a visit to the Ars Electronica Center in Linz, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy Austrian cuisine.

What the Participants Say
"Taking part in the International Summer Academy for Women in Engineering was an unforgettable experience. Every event provided new perspectives and valuable insights that deepened my understanding of STEM fields and the many opportunities ahead of us. Beyond the academic aspects, the absolute highlight was meeting amazing people from all over the world and building genuine friendships that I know will last for years to come," said Ashyra from Australia.

Bruna from Brazil emphasized the diversity within engineering itself: "As a civil engineering student, I previously knew very little about other engineering disciplines. It was inspiring to learn about different fields, discover new technologies, and see how engineers from a wide variety of backgrounds collaborate to solve real-world problems. This experience broadened my horizons and strengthened my passion for engineering."

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