A Bridge Between Cultures – Saikhantuya Buyannasan

Saikhantuya Buyannasan, known as Tuya, is a global citizen with Mongolian roots who feels at home both professionally and culturally in Europe. She has learned to build bridges between Asia and Europe, bringing her diverse experiences to AT&S. Her journey from Mongolia to Austria has been shaped by challenges, adaptability, and the deep conviction that understanding and exchange are key to a successful future.

Born and raised in Mongolia, Tuya now lives between the cultures of Asia and Europe. “I’ve always tried to take the best from both worlds,” she says with a smile. Her life is a constant balancing act between tradition and modernity, between the tranquility of Mongolia and the dynamism of Europe.

At just 16, she began her bachelor’s degree in statistics, which she completed at the age of 20. But instead of staying in her homeland, she took a bold step: “I had two papers in front of me – a job contract in Mongolia and an invitation to Austria. I followed my gut feeling,” she recalls.

When she arrived in Vienna in 2010, everything was new to her – the language, the culture, the people. “It was a complete culture shock. I didn’t even know how to buy a subway ticket,” she admits, laughing. But Tuya didn’t let herself be discouraged. She started as an au pair to learn German and set herself the goal of adapting to her new world: “For me, it’s important to express myself clearly.”

Five years later, she began working at the International Relations Office of Montan Universität Leoben. There, she was responsible for contract administration, project management, controlling, implementing a database and organizing events to showcase project results. She then moved back to Vienna, where she worked as an R&D project administrator at FH Technikum Wien. In this role, she ensured the smooth execution of research and development projects and acted as an interface between researchers, the finance department, funding agencies and other stakeholders.

Tuya describes herself as “a bridge between cultures.” Her experiences in Mongolia, where time has a different meaning than in Europe, have shaped her.

“In Mongolia, time doesn’t matter much – as nomads, people live by the rhythm of nature. In Europe, time is everything,” she explains thoughtfully.

Alongside her professional journey, Tuya pursued an international master’s degree in industrial engineering with a focus on Smart Production and Services at FH Joanneum. “It was one of the biggest challenges of my life – balancing studies and work,” she says. Through this hands-on program, she gained deep insights into the technological foundations of Industry 4.0. Since 50 % of the program was in English, her desire to work in an international company grew even stronger.

In January 2024, she found her place at AT&S, where she works as a funding manager in the finance department. Her role involves gathering information, connecting colleagues and identifying new funding opportunities for the company. “As a trained statistician, I love working with numbers and data. At AT&S, I truly feel accepted as an international employee. My input matters,” she says with satisfaction.

Tuya finds motivation in working on topics close to her heart.

“I believe that our research activities will one day enable more environmentally friendly technologies to protect our planet. Being part of this global movement motivates me every day.”

But what she appreciates most is the work environment at AT&S: “The supportive nature of my colleagues in the finance department makes work special.”

Tuya enjoys living in Leoben. “The nature, traditions and history of the city fascinate me. I love sharing this enthusiasm with my colleagues.” Beyond her job, she is actively involved in helping international employees integrate. She organizes city tours in Leoben to foster a sense of belonging. “It’s important to feel connected to your workplace. It provides security and makes integration easier,” she explains passionately.

Even in her free time, she remains creative. She writes short stories and poems, inspired by encounters between different cultures. Some of her works have even been published in a Mongolian magazine. “Writing is like the nomadic way of life – it follows a natural rhythm,” she says with a smile.

Tuya sees herself as a mediator between worlds. She doesn’t want her two cultural identities to compete with each other but rather to complement one another. “My goal is to build bridges – in the professional world, in cultural exchange and in my personal life,” she says with conviction.

With her open-mindedness and determination, Tuya is a valuable asset to AT&S and an inspiration for anyone striving to find their own path in a globalized world.

Profile of Tuya

Name
Saikhantuya Buyannasan

Origin
Mongolia

Profession
Sr. Specialist Corp. Finance at AT&S

Education
Bachelor’s in Statistics, National University of Mongolia
Master’s in International Industrial Management, FH Kapfenberg, Austria

Languages
Mongolian, German, English

Current AT&S Location
Leoben, Austria

Hobbies
Reading, yoga, fitness, meditation, writing short stories, creating collages

Favorite Food
Original Mongolian BBQ

Life Philosophy
“I see myself as a bridge between cultures.”

Characteristic Trait
“I laugh a lot!”

Motto
“I want to support the people around me as best as I can!”