MODUL University Vienna
Encyclopedia
MODUL University Vienna
MODUL University Vienna (MU Vienna) is a private universityPrivate university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
established in 2007 in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, focusing on Social and Economic Development, particularly in the areas of tourism, information technology and public governance.
All study programs fulfill the accreditation requirements laid out by the Austrian Accreditation Council. Because of the university’s international orientation, all study programs are conducted entirely in English. In 2010, the support ratio stands at 1:5 (one MODUL faculty or staff member for every five students).
MU Vienna is jointly owned, with 90 percent belonging to the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and 10 percent to the tourism investor Sheik Mohammed bin Issa al Jaber. The owners aim to develop MODUL University Vienna into Austria’s leading private university, internationally acclaimed in its areas of study. The university consist of four departments which reflect the core competences, educational and research focus of the university. These departments are: The [Department of New Media Technology], the [Department of Public Governance and Management], the [Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management] and the [Department of Applied Statistics and Economics].
The university has been offering a selection of both Bachelor and Master study programs since September 2007. As of October 2009, students from 53 countries have been studying at MU Vienna on top of Vienna’s Kahlenberg in the areas of Tourism, Public Management and New Media Technology. In the final development phase of this international educational institution, more than 540 students will be studying on Kahlenberg, which overlooks the city of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
.
MU Vienna is among the first universities in Austria to have an industry advisory board in place. Industry experts from the fields of new media technology, public governance and tourism provide input for the development of curriculum and guidance in student programs that will further the educational experience of students seeking long-term careers.
News
- 6th TourMIS Users’ Workshop and International Seminar on Demographic Change and Tourism September 16-17, 2010
- MODUL University Vienna is fully accredited in Turkey
Sustainability as Fundamental Principle
MODUL University Vienna has identified sustainability as one of its key principles. Sustainability represents an integral part of the curriculum and research agenda, and is also reflected in the daily work-flow. The university operates in a manner that minimizes environmental risk and adverse effects on the environment. The solar panels, pellet heating and recycling system in the university building are just some examples of the sustainable living and thinking within the university. In addition, MODUL University Vienna was the first Austrian university to sign a contract with a renewable energy provider. An internal ‘Sustainability Committee’ works to maintain and improve the university’s sustainability goals.MODUL University was awarded 2nd place in the category "Structural Foundations," encouraging sustainable development at the 2010 Sustainability Awards presented by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research for its Sustainability Committee.
Furthermore, faculty, staff and students of MODUL University maintain a sustainability blog and there is a bimonthly sustainability newsletter produced by the Sustainability Committee.
Values of Education
The fundamental values of education and goals of MODUL University Vienna are as follows:- Stewardship: Creating ambassadors of sustainable and responsible living
- Knowledge: Challenging what we take for granted; Embracing change
- Progress and Innovation: Valuing people’s ideas and creativity; Being prepared to deal with complexity
- Ethics: Supporting the principles of equity and justice
- Mutual Respect: Valuing diversity and humanity
Research
MU Vienna provides basic and applied research in areas which are considered as the core challenges in economic and social sciences. The current research focus includes projects such as Information Diffusion across Interactive Online Media, the Weblyzard, TourMIS, DieToRecs, Tourism Specific Search Engines, future.scapes, etc.Undergraduate Study Program
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Tourism and Hospitality Management
The Bachelor of Business Administration in Tourism and Hospitality Management is a 3-year, full- time program aimed at high school graduates, both with and without prior education in the area of tourism. The study program has a focus on innovative technology and sustainability. After one year of profound business education and a 4–6 months internship in a company in- or outside Austria, students have the chance to enhance their studies with subjects such as Event Management and e-Marketing.
Graduate Study Programs
- Master of Science in International Tourism Management' and
- Master of Science in Sustainable Development, Management and Policy'
The Master of Science programs in the areas of Tourism and Sustainable Development are 2-year, full-time programs for students with an undergraduate degree in natural or social sciences. The future world needs people with comprehensive knowledge of both environmental and development issues to address the globalization and sustainability challenges of this millennium. Graduates of the MSc programs will have the knowledge to tackle these challenges, such as globalization and environmental impact. They learn to work in an interdisciplinary manner and to integrate the principles of sustainability in their everyday work. The degree qualifies students to continue with a PhD program. Both MSc programs will be offered starting in 2010 and are open to graduates of Bachelor programs in many subject areas.
Executive Study Programs
- Master of Business Administration in Tourism Management
- Master of Business Administration in Public Governance and Management
- Master of Business Administration in New Media Technology and Management
The professional MBA programs in the areas of Tourism, Public Governance and New Media Technology are aimed at students who have already completed their first academic degree, and who have also obtained work experience in a relevant area. The standard duration of the 2-year study program can be reduced to 18 months for students wishing to follow the intensive study plan. This format consists of seminars also taking place during the summer months. Students taking part in the MBA in Tourism Management program profit from the cooperation with the renowned Executive Academy of the Vienna University of Economics and Business
, by receiving their degree from both universities. The MBA in Public Governance and Management program conveys perceptions and current trends in the areas of Public Governance and Public Management, from which employees, in particular of international institutions operating in the public-private sphere, can profit. The MBA in New Media Technology and Management program concentrates on the potential of new media in the development of markets, on knowledge management and on the radical transformation of internal and inter-company communication and cooperation.
Partners
MU Vienna maintains a number of co-operations with academic and industry partners, as well as organizations around the world. MODUL University Vienna's Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management maintains study exchange agreements with the following partner institutions: City University of New York (USA), College of Tourism and Hotel Management (Nicosia, Cyprus), Dublin Institute of Technology (Ireland), Fachhochschule Eberswalde (Berlin, Germany), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (China), San Francisco State University (USA), Temple University Philadelphia (USA), Texas A&M University (USA), Universidad Anáhuac Mayab (Mexico), Universidad Pedro de Valdivia (Chile), Universitat de les Illes Balears (Spain), Université d´Angers (France), University of Central Florida (Orlando, USA), University of Sunderland (UK), University of Surrey (UK), Univerza v Novi Gorici - University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia), Victoria University (Australia), Xi'an International Studies University (China)Campus Life
MODUL University Vienna is situated on KahlenbergKahlenberg
Kahlenberg is a mountain located in the 19th District within Vienna, Austria .-General:Kahlenberg lies in the Wienerwald and is one of the most popular destinations for day-trips from Vienna, offering a view over the entire city. Parts of Lower Austria can also be seen from Stefaniewarte at the...
, a mountain (484 m (1,588 ft)) located in the 19th District within Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(Döbling
Döbling
Döbling is the 19th District in the city of Vienna, Austria . It is located on the north end from the central districts, north of the districts Alsergrund and Währing...
). Kahlenberg lies in the Wienerwald
Wienerwald
The Vienna Woods are forested highlands that form the northeastern foothills of the Northern Limestone Alps in the states of Lower Austria and Vienna. The long and wide hill range is heavily wooded and a popular recreation area with the Viennese....
(Vienna forest) and is one of the most popular destinations for day-trips from Vienna, offering a view over the entire city. While students take their courses on Kahlenberg, they live in the city center of Austria's capital and can take advantage of the amenities the city has to offer. Kahlenberg can be reached by car or by bus (Bus line 38A) via the picturesque Höhenstraße, part of which is cobblestone
Cobblestone
Cobblestones are stones that were frequently used in the pavement of early streets. "Cobblestone" is derived from the very old English word "cob", which had a wide range of meanings, one of which was "rounded lump" with overtones of large size...
.
Extracurricular Engagement
MODUL University Vienna has created a program called “Merits of Extracurricular Engagement” to encourage and recognize active engagement in the form of volunteer work. The university provides opportunities for students to get involved and volunteer with on-campus events, and it encourages and supports students in finding off-campus volunteer work as well. Upon graduation from MODUL University Vienna, students who participated in the Merits of Extracurricular Engagement Program receive a certificate listing all extracurricular merits earned as a supplement to their diploma.MODUL University Wine Society
Wine and Austrian culture can be considered an insoluble unit. Furthermore, Vienna plays a special role in that it is the only capital with considerable wine-growing inside the city boundaries. The proximity to Vienna’s prime vineyard location, the Nussberg, inspired MODUL staff in 2009 to initiate the MU Wine Society. The Wine Society is set up for the purpose of providing a platform for students on which their passion for wine is shared and thus students from all backgrounds can experience local culture. It aims at creating an environment in which wine is appreciated and knowledge about the product is developed and exchanged. MU Wine Society does so by partnering with leading wine producers and representatives of the industry in Austria and abroad. Current supporters of the Wine Society include: Österreichisches Weinmarketing, Weinakademie and the Österreichischer Sommelierverband.Following the principles of "experience, appreciate and learn," MU Wine Society organizes regular tasting sessions and excursions to local wineries for its members. Experts and friends of MU Wine Society are invited for knowledge exchange.