Revolution of the universities of applied sciences: Government is planning urgently needed reforms!

Revolution of the universities of applied sciences: Government is planning urgently needed reforms!

In Austria, the current government program ensures that the universities of applied Sciences (FH) and universities for applied sciences (HAW). President Ulrike Prommer The University of Applied Sciences (FHK) emphasizes that the program not only improves financial planning security, but also provides financial resources for research for the first time. This is considered a crucial step to give the industry more autonomy and flexibility so that it can react faster to the needs of the economy. The introduction of a doctoral model for FH/HAW is particularly welcomed, which takes internationally existing programs as a model, as Prommer explains. These measures are essential to expand the research capacity and to cope with the existing challenges, emphasizes the President.

urgent need for action

On the other hand, the FH/HAW is still under pressure, since only a fraction of the science budget flows to it. While the universities recently received a drastic increase in budget of over 30 percent, the FH/HAW is denied such an increase. According to Prommer, the FH/HAW not only have to struggle with increasing requirements, but also with constant underfunding, which makes it difficult for them to train the necessary graduates: inside. Around two thirds of applicants are currently rejected: inside, which underlines the high need for qualified specialists. A special point of criticism is that Austria has been investing too little in applied research for years that is essential for innovations. According to the FHK general secretary Kurt Koleznik, this could be significantly improved with continuous research financing.

The FHK also calls for the implementation of doctoral programs to the FH/HAW to meet the brain drain of highly qualified scientists: inside abroad. Many German HAWs have already formed doctoral groups, while in Austria there have been no initiatives in this direction. The risk of a further loss of talent is real and could significantly endanger the business location. In order to stop this trend and secure competitiveness, the FHK calls for a new financing system that takes into account the needs of the FH/HAW, as science.apa.at . Now quick action is required to overcome the structural blockages of the past.