Uncertainty about Linz Digital University: mayoral election as a turning point?

Uncertainty about Linz Digital University: mayoral election as a turning point?

The planned digital university in Linz, also known as IT:U, is under considerable pressure. The location right next to the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) was rejected by Vice Mayor Dietmar Prammer due to environmental concerns, putting the project on the waiting list. However, Education Minister Martin Polaschek from the ÖVP demands that clarity about the new location be provided in the first quarter of 2025, as no alternatives have yet been examined, as emerged from a parliamentary question from Neos MP Martina Künsberg Sarre. The ministry statement clearly states: another location outside of Linz is not considered suitable.

There is a risk of high costs

The situation could be expensive for the city of Linz and the state of Upper Austria. If a new location is found, significant costs could be incurred for the city and the state as the synergies with the JKU would be lost. In addition, a new financing agreement with the federal government could be necessary and the costs of the architectural competition that has already been held could potentially fall back on the city. So far, around 24 million euros have already been invested in the planning of IT:U, and there are already eleven founding professorships.

Another pending issue is the Brucknerhaus affair, in which the dismissed artistic director is suing for damages amounting to around three million euros. The first hearing will take place at the end of January. At the same time, the application deadline for the new dual leadership of the event company LIVA, which is responsible for the Brucknerhaus, is running, and it remains to be seen what decisions the new mayor will make after the election on January 12th. Until then, clarity about the digital university remains a hot topic, as Georg Redlhammer from the Neos parliamentary group emphasizes: “Emotions out, facts on the table and solutions come forward,” is his call for clear decisions.

It remains exciting to see how the situation surrounding the digital university will develop as the pressure on decision-makers increases. The economic and political framework conditions could be decisive for the future of the educational infrastructure in the country. Details about the planned digital university were provided by ORF OÖ and My district comprehensively presented.