WING student secures grant for stay in the USA

Christoph Maurberger will attend the lectures at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) during his semester abroad. In addition to topics such as analog electronics, strength of materials, energy economics and personal finance, the Department of Engineering and Physics also explores the transformation of energy forms into electricity in a comparison between Austria and the US. Maurberger combines the study trip with research work in the area of renewable energies and examines the best-suited technologies and optimal profitability for private users as well as possible opportunities for the future.

Research stays supported with € 4,000

The Marshall Plan Foundation, which provides grants for the transfer of knowledge between the US and Austria welcomes precisely these kind of research stays, specifically in technical study programs and provides a grant of 4,000 euro. In addition to financial support and technical input, students also benefit from the improvement of their language proficiency in technical English, which also greatly enhances their career opportunities after their studies.

The UCO, located 19 km from Oklahoma City in Edmond, was founded in 1890 and offers degree programs in the areas of business administration, education, humanities, mathematics and natural sciences. About 17,000 students are enrolled at the various colleges as they study one of the 137 main subjects that are offered.

“On August 13, I will be on a 16-hour flight to Oklahoma. When I get there, I will first take care of organizational matters and then get to know the enormous campus,” said Maurberger with excitement. “I am very happy to have the opportunity to visit a university with such a comprehensive study offer without having to pay tuition fees – especially since I did not get my Austrian high school diploma in the usual way, but crossed over from the practical field and completed a vocational training,” Maurberger went on to say.