With the financing commitment that has just been made and the planning approval, one of the largest inter-university building projects in Styria is picking up speed. The physical amalgamation of the physics departments of Graz University of Technology and Graz University has created a distinctive physics location in Austria with international visibility.
That is being erected Graz Center of Physics (GCP) on the campus of the University of Graz. The long-term collaboration in the network is enhanced by the spatial merging of the physics departments of the two universities NAWI Graz strengthened, synergies in research, teaching and infrastructure further expanded and a marked sharpening of the physics profile achieved far beyond the location.
TU Graz Rector Harald Kainz is pleased about this perspective: “With the Graz Center of Physics The long-standing, successful research and teaching cooperation of around 600 physicists and around 1500 students from Graz University of Technology and the University of Graz in the physics department will also have a common physical home. The focus on nanotechnologies and computer-oriented physics gives the GCP an unmistakable profile of international charisma. Whether in the development of novel nanomaterials, space science or climate physics – that GCP researches topics of the highest social relevance. “
Martin Polaschek, Rector of the University of Graz is also enthusiastic: “The University of Graz is pleased that the funding for this lighthouse project has now been secured. The fact that two universities are bundling a research area in this form in a common building is a unique project in the Austrian research landscape and will provide a strong impetus for research in Styria.
Research focus of the GCP
Central joint research focus of the Graz Center of Physict is the area of nano and quantum materials. In this area, in which nanoscale and quantum physically dominated materials are researched, Graz already enjoys a unique position in the Austrian research landscape and beyond. The center for electron microscopy is an instrumental lighthouse here. The central focus on nano and quantum Materials there are three other areas of competence of international importance: specialist didactics, elementary particle physics and the complex of astrophysics, climate physics and space sciences. By merging and strengthening these areas in Graz Center of Physics the field of physics is covered in its full breadth in research and teaching, which means that strong synergies can be expected. The range of topics covered in Graz Center of Physics processed plays an increasingly important role in challenges relating to energy, digitization, sustainability, the environment or health.
NAWI Graz: model of success in scientific research and teaching
TU Graz and Uni Graz have been pooling resources and Know-how in scientific research and teaching in conjunction with NAWI Graz. A showcase project that is unique in Austria. With the establishment of the Graz Center of Physics A significant increase in the visibility of physics among potential students as well as lecturers and in international appointment procedures can be expected.
In the field of studies, the bachelor’s degree and the two English-language master’s degree programs Physics and Technical Physics under the roof NAWI Graz is offered together as well as teacher training and doctoral training. Students of all courses benefit from this Graz Center of Physics both from the short distances at the common location, from state-of-the-art Classrooms and lecture halls as well as state-of-the-art laboratory and equipment infrastructure under one roof.
Timetable and costs
The Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft BIG, as the client, has just launched the architecture competition for the NAWI Graz Center of Physics awarded. The new building with a gross floor area of 50,000 square meters is being built on the area of the preclinical tower in Harrachgasse on the campus of the University of Graz. Construction is expected to start in 2024, as soon as the remaining institutes of the Medical University of Graz have moved to the new MED Campus Graz and the existing building has been demolished. The total investment costs amount to 354 million euros – of which 313 million euros are for the construction, an additional 41 million euros for the equipment. The federal government bears the costs and Graz University of Technology and Graz University then rent the premises from the BIG.
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