Austria’s demographic trends indicate a need for qualified immigration. India is considered one of the most promising countries for future skilled workers and students. The young people are mostly well-educated, ambitious, and speak English. Many of them believe it’s better to study in the USA or the UK, but Austrian universities, in cooperation with businesses, aim to change this image.
The Montan University of Leoben is one of the leading institutions in Austria that is actively seeking Indian students. With the “Focus India” initiative, a project to promote academic, cultural, and economic exchange between India and Austria was launched. It aims to drive structural cooperation and systematic internationalization with initially five partner universities in India, including the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and the COEP Technological University.
“Focus India” to Launch in July 2026
The goal is to build something lasting, said Susanne Feiel, who, along with Clemens Weihs, is responsible for the university’s international relations. Previously, collaborations with India had often been driven by individual projects, Feiel said on the sidelines of an Austrian delegation trip to India. However, now there will be a concept behind it. The “Focus India” program will start in July 2026. Initially, around 30 students are expected, according to Weihs.
“India is our blueprint,” Feiel said. If the concept and program work, similar initiatives could be envisioned for Latin America or Ethiopia. The African country was recently visited by the two for this purpose. However, the main focus remains India because “it is like a land of milk and honey for us,” Feiel enthusiastically remarked. Well-educated young Indians could come to Austria through the university, where they would then do internships with companies suggested by Montan University, and ultimately stay in the industry as specialists or even key professionals.
AVL as an Industry Partner for Universities
“We simply find too few key workers in Europe,” said Feiel. India could help address this issue because mutual poaching in Austria or Europe is not effective. “Qualified immigration is necessary,” the expert emphasized. Even if the students return to India, they could work as important liaisons between Austrian research or industry and India. Feiel hopes to build “a whole ecosystem in India.”
One of the industrial partners is the Graz-based technology company AVL. Maria Kollmann took part in the delegation trip to India last week and made contacts with universities in Chennai. She expressed great interest in collaborating with the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT): “We are already cooperating with around 100 universities worldwide, offering scholarships and internships for three or more months.” AVL is particularly interested in students in engineering, IT professionals, and data science. Kollmann is also convinced that qualified immigration is essential.
