CUNY –
The City University
of New York
A University Where Innovation, Diversity, and Applied Learning Meet
The City University of New York is the nation’s largest urban public university, a transformative engine of social mobility that is a critical component of the lifeblood of New York City.
Founded in 1847 as the nation’s first free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has 26 colleges spread across New York City’s five boroughs, serving nearly 240,000 degree-seeking students of all ages and awarding 50,000 degrees each year.
More than 80 percent of the University’s graduates stay in New York, contributing to all aspects of the city’s economic, civic and cultural life and diversifying the city’s workforce in every sector. The University’s historic mission continues to this day: provide a public first-rate education to all students, regardless of means or background.
CUNY’s scale, diversity, and public mission create a unique academic environment that brings together institutions with distinct profiles and areas of expertise.
Within this system, individual colleges translate the university’s mission into focused academic and professional contexts shaped by their location, discipline, and community.
One of CUNY’s senior colleges and a key institutional partner for AAECA is the New York City College of Technology (City Tech).
New York City College of Technology (City Tech)
A University Where Innovation, Diversity, and Applied Learning Meet
City Tech is the designated college of technology within the City University of New York (CUNY), a national model for industry-aligned education, and an engine of economic mobility, located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Founded in 1946, today City Tech offers 58 cutting-edge associate and baccalaureate degree programs spanning the technologies of art and design, architecture, biomedical informatics, business, teacher education, computer systems, engineering, entertainment, health care, hospitality, human services, legal studies, and the liberal arts and sciences.
As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American/Native American Pacific Island Serving Institution (AANAPISI), City Tech is committed to providing broad access to high quality technological and professional education for a diverse urban population. To learn more, visit www.citytech.cuny.edu.
A University Shaped by New York City
City Tech is located in Downtown Brooklyn, one of the fastest-growing innovation districts in the United States. Surrounded by tech companies, creative agencies, medical centers, courts, design studios, digital labs, and start-ups, the university is deeply embedded in the professional ecosystem of New York.
This gives students and educators access to an environment where learning is never theoretical—it is connected to the city around them. Every classroom, laboratory, and studio is influenced by the pace, diversity, and creative energy of NYC.
Academic Excellence with an Applied Focus
City Tech stands out for its combination of rigorous academic foundations and a distinctly applied approach to teaching and learning. The university offers more than 60 degree programs, many of which are unique within New York State.
Students learn in modern facilities, simulation labs, maker spaces, design studios, and specialized teaching environments that mirror real workplaces. Whether in engineering, health sciences, hospitality management, architecture, computer systems, media technology, or business, City Tech prepares learners to succeed in globally connected, innovation-driven industries.
For AAECA students and educators, this creates opportunities to experience American applied education at its best — where academic content is seamlessly connected to practice, creativity, and cross-disciplinary perspectives.
A Campus Defined by Diversity and Global Perspectives
With students representing over 100 national backgrounds, City Tech is one of the most diverse universities in the United States. This diversity is not only visible on campus, but deeply embedded in how the institution teaches, collaborates, and builds community.
Classrooms reflect a spectrum of cultures, languages, and worldviews — creating a learning environment where international understanding grows naturally. For AAECA, this provides a powerful opportunity for students and educators from Austria to experience global learning in a truly multicultural environment.
City Tech’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and opportunity aligns strongly with AAECA’s mission of promoting cross-cultural collaboration and advancing international education.
Innovation Through Collaboration
One of City Tech’s defining strengths is its close connection to industry partners in New York City. Academic departments work closely with companies, organizations, and public institutions to ensure courses reflect current professional realities.
This collaborative approach ensures that students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical competence, creative problem-solving skills, and exposure to real-world challenges. For AAECA partnerships, this creates an ideal foundation for:
- joint projects between New York and Austrian institutions
- applied research initiatives
- faculty exchange in technology and education
- short-term study and immersion programs focusing on digital skills and innovation
The university’s orientation toward hands-on learning makes every international cooperation particularly impactful and meaningful.
Campus Life
City Tech’s campus offers a dynamic combination of urban energy and supportive academic community. Students benefit from access to:
- the cultural richness of Brooklyn’s arts scene
- cafés, libraries, galleries, and public spaces
- professional networking events, design showcases, and tech meetups
- New York’s endless opportunities for cultural and intellectual growth
The campus is designed to help learners connect, collaborate, and develop both personally and professionally — an environment where global perspectives are welcomed, and new ideas flourish.
Why City Tech Is an Ideal AAECA Partner
City Tech is a natural fit for AAECA’s mission and future goals.
The university’s strengths — innovation, applied learning, diversity, and academic excellence — all align with the values of international collaboration.
Partnering with City Tech opens doors for:
– cross-continental learning experiences
– educator collaboration on curriculum development
– innovation-focused workshops and programs
– student immersion in one of the world’s most dynamic cities
– shared research in technology, digital learning, and pedagogy
City Tech embodies the idea that education becomes more powerful when different cultures, disciplines, and perspectives come together — a principle at the heart of AAECA’s vision..