<p>Austria and India have taken a significant step forward in educational and skilled mobility cooperation, with an expected intake of 200 Indian students into Austrian universities this year through a targeted partnership involving VFS Education Services. The plan builds on the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (CMMPA) signed in 2023, which entered into force in September that year.</p><p>The initiative, part of the “Focus India” programme with Austria’s Technical Universities (TU Wien, TU Graz, and TU Leoben), focuses on quality-driven recruitment of engineering and technology talent. It addresses Austria’s skilled labour shortage while offering Indian students a world-class education and pathways to the European job market.</p><p>Last week, during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austrian Chancellor Stocker reconfirmed the bilateral immigration agreement and positioned Austria as a preferred European destination for skills development.</p><p>Susanne Feiel, Director of International Relations and European University, underlined the demographic and economic drivers: “The Indian market is a very strong market in terms of potential students for Austria and Europe. It’s demography. Demography speaks for itself, with all these young people available and also more and more coming in the coming years.” She noted that policy alone is insufficient without effective implementation. “We’ve already managed to show that in a very short time, only one year, we’ve been able to get 200 students into Austria successfully. And I think it’s amazing how quickly this has happened, and there’s more to come for the future.”</p><p>The partnership with VFS Education Services has proven instrumental in streamlining the process. Bernard Martyris, Chief of Education Trade and Migration Services at VFS Global, explained: “VFS education services have been established to strengthen the integrity, efficiency, and outcomes of international student mobility. Core role to support companies and academic institutions to provide structured, transparent services across the student life cycle.”</p><p>Feiel stressed the quality-over-quantity approach: “It’s not only about bringing students to Austria, but it’s about really placing them in the labour market. It’s very important we have a skilled labour shortage in Austria, in Europe as such… with 1.5 million people that we need in skilled labour sectors.”</p><p>Clemens Weihs, Team Lead Strategic Partnerships, described the 200 students as a “blueprint” that could scale across Europe: “We started with 200. It was a kind of a blueprint… it’s not just interesting for Austria, it’s even interesting for Europe… the number can be much higher than this 200.”</p><p>The programme targets purpose-driven mobility, offering Indian graduates from recognised institutions structured master’s pathways, pre-screening, and support for post-study work opportunities. Austrian officials view these “connector talents” as vital for bridging economies amid demographic challenges.</p><p>As both nations review and expand cooperation under the 2023 pact during Stocker’s visit, this initial success of 200 students signals a maturing partnership.&nbsp;</p>

Last week, during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austrian Chancellor Stocker reconfirmed the bilateral immigration agreement and positioned Austria as a preferred European destination for skills development.

Austria and India have taken a significant step forward in educational and skilled mobility cooperation, with an expected intake of 200 Indian students into Austrian universities this year through a targeted partnership involving VFS Education Services. The plan builds on the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (CMMPA) signed in 2023, which entered into force in September that year. The initiative, part of the “Focus India” programme with Austria’s Technical Universities (TU Wien, TU Graz, and TU Leoben), focuses on quality-driven recruitment of engineering and technology talent. It addresses Austria’s skilled labour shortage while offering Indian students a world-class education and pathways to the European job market. Last week, during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austrian Chancellor Stocker reconfirmed the bilateral immigration agreement and positioned Austria as a preferred European destination for skills development. Susanne Feiel, Director of International Relations and European University, underlined the demographic and economic drivers: “The Indian market is a very strong market in terms of potential students for Austria and Europe. It’s demography. Demography speaks for itself, with all these young people available and also more and more coming in the coming years.” She noted that policy alone is insufficient without effective implementation. “We’ve already managed to show that in a very short time, only one year, we’ve been able to get 200 students into Austria successfully. And I think it’s amazing how quickly this has happened, and there’s more to come for the future.” The partnership with VFS Education Services has proven instrumental in streamlining the process. Bernard Martyris, Chief of Education Trade and Migration Services at VFS Global, explained: “VFS education services have been established to strengthen the integrity, efficiency, and outcomes of international student mobility. Core role to support companies and academic institutions to provide structured, transparent services across the student life cycle.” Feiel stressed the quality-over-quantity approach: “It’s not only about bringing students to Austria, but it’s about really placing them in the labour market. It’s very important we have a skilled labour shortage in Austria, in Europe as such… with 1.5 million people that we need in skilled labour sectors.” Clemens Weihs, Team Lead Strategic Partnerships, described the 200 students as a “blueprint” that could scale across Europe: “We started with 200. It was a kind of a blueprint… it’s not just interesting for Austria, it’s even interesting for Europe… the number can be much higher than this 200.” The programme targets purpose-driven mobility, offering Indian graduates from recognised institutions structured master’s pathways, pre-screening, and support for post-study work opportunities. Austrian officials view these “connector talents” as vital for bridging economies amid demographic challenges. As both nations review and expand cooperation under the 2023 pact during Stocker’s visit, this initial success of 200 students signals a maturing partnership.

<p>Last week, during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austrian Chancellor Stocker reconfirmed the bilateral immigration agreement and positioned Austria as a preferred European destination for skills development.</p>

200 Indian students head to Austria this year under education-mobility cooperation

<p>Upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Austria, he was welcomed to the soothing tunes of India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’ played by Austrian artists. Modi arrived in Vienna on Tuesday where he received a warm welcome.</p>

<p>Sharing the video of the performance on X, PM Modi wrote: “Austria is known for its vibrant musical culture. I got a glimpse of it thanks to this amazing rendition of Vande Mataram!”</p>

<p>In the video, the Indian Prime Minister is observed listening to the ‘Vande Mataram’ song sung by a group of artists in Vienna accompanied by violinists and guided by the concertmaster.</p>

<p><em>Take a look.</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Austria is known for its vibrant musical culture. I got a glimpse of it thanks to this amazing rendition of Vande Mataram! <a href="https://t.co/XMjmQhA06R">pic.twitter.com/XMjmQhA06R</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1810892350106845684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The song ‘Vande Mataram’ holds a special place in the hearts of Indians, and performing the song by Austrian artists showcases a strong gesture from Austria.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The national song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-pledges-new-air-defence-support-for-ukraine-at-nato-summit-739428">Biden pledges new air defence support for Ukraine at NATO summit</a></p>

<p>PM Modi arrived in the Austrian capital Vienna on Tuesday, after visiting Russia. He is on a two-day visit to Austria, becoming the first-ever Indian Prime Minister in 41 years to visit the central European country.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>‘India-Austria friendship will get even stronger’&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>PM Modi also met Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and hugged him. The pictures of the two leaders meeting for the first time were shared by the Indian prime minister on X. The Austrian chancellor also clicked a selfie with PM Modi and shared it on his X, which went viral.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Welcome to Vienna, PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ! It is a pleasure and honour to welcome you to Austria. Austria and India are friends and partners. I look forward to our political and economic discussions during your visit! 🇦🇹 🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/e2YJZR1PRs">pic.twitter.com/e2YJZR1PRs</a></p>
— Karl Nehammer (@karlnehammer) <a href="https://twitter.com/karlnehammer/status/1810769299696668774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Upon arrival, PM Modi received a warm welcome from Indian Ambassador to Austria Shambhu Kumaran and Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Later, he attended a dinner hosted by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, where he was welcomed by members of the Indian diaspora.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/austrian-chancellor-welcomes-pm-modi-in-vienna-739445">PM Modi arrives in Vienna; First visit by Indian PM in over 40 years</a></p>

<p>In a private engagement ahead of official talks, PM Modi told Nehammer that India-Austria friendship is strong, and it will get even stronger in the times to come. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In another post on X, Modi said: "Happy to meet you in Vienna, Chancellor @karlnehammer. The India-Austria friendship is strong and it will get even stronger in the times to come."</p>

<p>This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Austria in more than 40 years, the last being of Indira Gandhi in 1983.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Austria, he was welcomed to the soothing tunes of India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’ played by Austrian artists.

Upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Austria, he was welcomed to the soothing tunes of India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’ played by Austrian artists. Modi arrived in Vienna on Tuesday where he received a warm welcome. Sharing the video of the performance on X, PM Modi wrote: “Austria is known for its vibrant musical culture. I got a glimpse of it thanks to this amazing rendition of Vande Mataram!” In the video, the Indian Prime Minister is observed listening to the ‘Vande Mataram’ song sung by a group of artists in Vienna accompanied by violinists and guided by the concertmaster. Take a look. Austria is known for its vibrant musical culture. I got a glimpse of it thanks to this amazing rendition of Vande Mataram! pic.twitter.com/XMjmQhA06R — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 10, 2024 × The song ‘Vande Mataram’ holds a special place in the hearts of Indians, and performing the song by Austrian artists showcases a strong gesture from Austria. The national song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom. Also Read | Biden pledges new air defence support for Ukraine at NATO summit PM Modi arrived in the Austrian capital Vienna on Tuesday, after visiting Russia. He is on a two-day visit to Austria, becoming the first-ever Indian Prime Minister in 41 years to visit the central European country. ‘India-Austria friendship will get even stronger’ PM Modi also met Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and hugged him. The pictures of the two leaders meeting for the first time were shared by the Indian prime minister on X. The Austrian chancellor also clicked a selfie with PM Modi and shared it on his X, which went viral. Welcome to Vienna, PM @narendramodi ! It is a pleasure and honour to welcome you to Austria. Austria and India are friends and partners. I look forward to our political and economic discussions during your visit! 🇦🇹 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/e2YJZR1PRs — Karl Nehammer (@karlnehammer) July 9, 2024 × Upon arrival, PM Modi received a warm welcome from Indian Ambassador to Austria Shambhu Kumaran and Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Later, he attended a dinner hosted by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, where he was welcomed by members of the Indian diaspora. Also Read | PM Modi arrives in Vienna; First visit by Indian PM in over 40 years In a private engagement ahead of official talks, PM Modi told Nehammer that India-Austria friendship is strong, and it will get even stronger in the times to come. In another post on X, Modi said: "Happy to meet you in Vienna, Chancellor @karlnehammer. The India-Austria friendship is strong and it will get even stronger in the times to come." This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Austria in more than 40 years, the last being of Indira Gandhi in 1983. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Austrian artists perform 'Vande Mataram' upon PM Modi's arrival in Vienna

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200 Indian students head to Austria this year under education-mobility cooperation

Watch | Austrian artists perform 'Vande Mataram' upon PM Modi's arrival in Vienna