Selina Wienerroither: New ÖH chair with vision for social justice

Selina Wienerroither: New ÖH chair with vision for social justice

Campus der TU Wien, Wien, Österreich - On June 20, 2025, the constituent meeting of the new ÖH federal representation took place on the campus of the Vienna University of Technology. In this context, Selina Wienerroither was elected as the new chairwoman of the Austrian University of Applied Sciences (ÖH). The choice takes place according to a historically good result of the VSSTÖ (Association of Socialist Students and Students in Austria) in the past ÖH election in May. In the newly formed coalition with the Greens and Alternative Students (Gras) Wienerroither is represented by the interests of around 400,000 students in Austria and has set themselves clear goals.

Selina Wienerroither, a 22-year-old student of the theater, film and media sciences, would like to be particularly committed to social justice in education. Her motto "Voice of the many" shows her endeavor to bundle and successfully represent the concerns of the students. In her previous career, she has already gained experience as a school representative at the commercial academy in Vöcklabruck and on the regional student council of Upper Austria. She knows the challenges with which many workers' children are confronted and is committed to a university without social selection, discrimination and pressure to perform.

The new leadership

In addition to Wienerroither, Umut Ovat, 25 years old and law student, was elected second deputy chairman. Ovat is already positioned as a top candidate for the VSSTÖ at the Johannes Kepler University Linz. Both leaders have set out to focus on the concerns of the students and to point out diverse challenges within the education sector. The previous chairman, headed by Nina Mathies, was honored, while Miriam Amann, the VSSTÖ federal chairman, was a positive record of the past two years and Nina Mathies thanked for their efforts.

Current challenges for students

The challenges with which students are confronted recently became clear from the 2023 student social survey. According to the survey, 69% of the students in Austria, often for financial necessity, work increased by increasing living costs and inadequate study funding. Nora Hasan from the ÖH Uni Vienna said that more and more students have to work almost full -time to finance their studies. This development underlines the alarming psychological stress, which 14% of the students experience as affected depression.

The university at the University of Vienna also criticizes the neoliberal course in university policy. The current educational policy focuses more on the quantity of examining students without adequately ensuring the quality of the education system. The ÖH therefore calls for comprehensive information from universities and a rethink, towards an education system based on social justice and takes the pressure to perform from the students.

Selina Wienerroither and Umut Ovat therefore face significant challenges in their new role. The concerns of the students are more important than ever, while the social injustices in the education system have to be focused on more sharply. These developments are important both locally and nationally and urgently need political and academic attention.

For further information on the current developments and goals of the new ÖH chairman you can read a detailed report at ots.at, insight into the leading candidate and your views At vSSToe.at and the social challenges of the students at ots.at .