Within the framework of Tunisian Euraxess Network – TEN project, the second study visit unfolded in Vienna, Austria, from January 22nd to 24th, 2024, providing the Euraxess Tunisia team with a multitude of enriching opportunities. Our journey started with on with a detailed presentation on the organizational structures of our hosts, OeAD (Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research) and FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency). These entities operate as independent Bridge Head Offices (BHO), each distinguished by its competencies and activities. OeAD, renowned for its expertise in international cooperation in education and research, collaborates with FFG, which plays a pivotal role in promoting and funding innovative research projects in Austria. This insightful introduction laid the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of the Austrian research landscape.
Subsequently, our learning trajectory progressed through a fruitful meeting involving Austrian National Contact Points (NCP) where discussions delved into pivotal subjects, including an in-depth exploration of the Euraxess support offered to incoming researchers. Additionally, insights into project management were shared by a representative from the University of Vienna's project management engineering unit, who provided invaluable best practices for optimizing project efficiency.
Our visit to the University of Vienna proved instructive, with a focus on offices and facilities dedicated to European projects and international collaborations. Exposure to exchange and mobility programs, including Erasmus+, Africa Uninet, OeAD and Hub for Refugees, was complemented by detailed presentations on their activities and ongoing projects.
A significant part of our visit was dedicated to the legal aspects specific to Euraxess, highlighting services offered to the Euraxess community. This encompassed crucial information on the insurance system, employment contracts, dual career management, housing, and other relevant aspects for researchers considering a move to Austria.
Alongside our visit to the University of Vienna, the Tunisian Euraxess team had also the privilege of visiting the Euraxess center in Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), further enhancing the understanding of research and collaboration opportunities.
This study visit undeniably enriched our connections and deepened our insights into best practices in research and project management within the Austrian academic environment.