Working together for education, culture, science and research: Europe's future takes place in classrooms, at higher education institutions, educational establishments and workplaces where cooperation and exchange flourish. The OeAD's activities are also closely linked to the European education area.
‘Today, more than ever, European education policy is about shaping a common future. In a changing world – marked by the climate crisis, AI and geopolitical tensions – it is crucial to further strengthen Europe's potential for innovation and sustainable growth. In line with the Union of Skills launched by the European Commission in March 2025 European programmes and initiatives play a central part in the implementation of a single European skills area. The aim of the Union of Skills is to interconnect skilled workers, learners and companies across Europe, make qualifications more transparent throughout Europe and prepare people in the best possible way for the requirements of a changing world of work. Education is a key lever for cohesion, innovation and competitiveness in Europe. As Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation the OeAD contributes significantly to achieving these goals.’
Europe at the OeAD
The OeAD is involved in international cooperation at various levels. The programmes and initiatives implemented by the OeAD contribute significantly to anchoring and strengthening the European dimension at all levels of education. Activities that promote the internationalisation of the Austrian educational landscape and help to make full use of the European education area while also making education systems and educational qualifications comparable play an important part in this.
The EU programme Erasmus+ plays a central part in this and opens up new horizons for people in many ways. Completing an internship, studying, teaching or working in another country – all this is possible. Erasmus+ began as an exchange programme for students and now includes school education, higher education, vocational and adult education as well as the youth and sports sectors. The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) offers young people aged 18-30 the opportunity to get involved in charitable projects and thus experience Europe. With a little luck young Europeans who are 18 years old at the time they want to travel can discover Europe with a DiscoverEU travel pass.
The OeAD is also a partner in the EU initiative Euraxess, the Europe-wide network that supports mobility and careers of researchers.
Moreover, the OeAD supports EU instruments for promoting transparency and recognition of skills, abilities and qualifications. These include the national coordination offices for Euroguidance, Europass and the National Qualifications Framework. Last but not least, the educational policy goal is to develop and harmonise a European education area through the Bologna Process.
With its Digital Agenda the European Union has set itself the goal of completing the digital transformation by 2030 – the so-called ‘Digital Decade’. The focus is on developing digital skills, a high-performance digital infrastructure, the digitisation of businesses and public services, and the protection of European values. The Digital Skills Office established at the OeAD is responsible for the digital skills initiative.
In addition to the EU programmes the OeAD is responsible for a wide range of offers in the European context. Since 1989 the OeAD has supported educational and academic relations with the countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. These include the Central European network CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies), which enables study and teaching stays at universities in partner countries, and the programme for cooperation in higher education and research with Kosovo, which is funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation.
The OeAD in Europe
Educational Cooperation with Eastern and South-Eastern Europe also has its origins in the endeavours towards European integration. This educational cooperation promotes exchange and cooperation between educational institutions in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and Austria and in this way supports sustainable educational reforms in pre-university education. The OeAD maintains a network of cooperation offices in Eastern and South-Eastern European partner countries that are managed by Austrian educational coordinators.
Teaching abroad brings experience from abroad back to the Austrian education system. This is made possible within the framework of the programmes weltweit unterrichten (i.e. teaching worldwide), when teaching German as a foreign language or as part of the lectureship programme.
As a member of the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) the OeAD works closely with European partners to actively promote the internationalisation of higher education.
Education and internationalisation – working together for success
With our activities the OeAD contributes to strengthening European cooperation in education, science and culture, supports the vision of a united and diverse Europe and acts as a driving force for the Austrian educational policy.
Stays abroad contribute to the development of personal skills and strengthen the innovative capacity of institutions and entire education systems. Engaging with other people leads to a better understanding of different perspectives and an appreciation of diversity. International exchange of knowledge and expertise strengthen Austria's position as an attractive country for education and research. Internationalisation is therefore the best investment in the future.
9 May – a day for Europe
The Europe Day on 9 May commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 1950 – the symbolic beginning of European unification. Today, in an interconnected but also very fragile world, this vision is more relevant than ever. Joint action, learning from each other and solidarity are essential to preserve peace, prosperity and democracy. As Robert Schuman said: ‘The contribution that an organised and living Europe can make to civilisation is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.’
We at the OeAD are committed to this idea and want to strengthen it as best we can through our actions.