Press release of the Provincial Government of Lower Austria

"So that the best minds stay here, do research and create something new"

St. Pölten (OTS) - - 

With over 13,000 students, practical research and new degree programmes in computer science, railway technology, digital health, biotechnology and artificial intelligence, the universities of applied sciences are shaping the future throughout Lower Austria. Deputy Provincial Governor Dr Stephan Pernkopf together with the President of the FH Conference and Managing Director of IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems Ulrike Prommer, the Managing Director of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Hannes Raffaseder and the Managing Director of Wr. Neustadt University of Applied Sciences Axel Schneeberger provided information on the new degree programmes, current developments and priorities as well as the next necessary steps for a modern university system at the Krems campus today, Monday.

"What was still a vision 25 years ago is now a reality: Lower Austria is a university state," said Deputy Provincial Governor Stephan Pernkopf, explaining that in the past, first-year students had to go to Vienna to study, whereas today there are programmes in all regions of Lower Austria. Pernkopf spoke of "significant growth", which was a "clear mandate for the future". He emphasised the "pioneering role in terms of diversity", adding that seven new degree programmes with around 175 additional study places had been added to the range offered by the universities of applied sciences from the winter semester 2025/26. There are now a total of 115 degree programmes with over 13,000 study places in Lower Austria - spread across the three major locations and five branch campuses.

"The universities of applied sciences are geared towards the needs of the economy and address current topics of the future - from digitalisation and mobility to biomedicine and sustainability," said the Deputy Provincial Governor, emphasising the local training and that this also ensures that local companies get the skilled workers they urgently need. "The next logical step is an independent right to award doctorates for universities of applied sciences," said Pernkopf, emphasising that doctorates are needed in order to retain talent, secure investments and strengthen innovation and regions.

The most important thing is to transfer the results of research into practice as quickly as possible so that people can benefit from them. Every doctorate and every doctoral thesis contributes to this. In Germany, 14 out of 16 federal states offered the right to award doctorates, Pernkopf demanded, in order not to lose talent and not to be at a competitive disadvantage. "The universities of applied sciences are a success story in Lower Austria," said the Deputy Provincial Governor, explaining that the next chapter must now be opened and completed. "The right to award doctorates is the key to ensuring that the best minds stay here, conduct research and create something new." He continued: "Science and research know how to build bridges. The right to award doctorates at universities of applied sciences, in addition to the variety of degree programmes on offer, is certainly an investment in our country and in our future," said Pernkopf, emphasising that the aim was to offer young people the best opportunities.

Ulrike Prommer, President of the UAS Conference and IMC Managing Director, reported on a "very good start to the new academic year" and "several records", for example in terms of student numbers: IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems currently has 3,850 students in Krems and 700 students at international locations. Three new Master's degree programmes in Biotechnology and Data Science, Sustainable Chemistry and Artificial Intelligence have been offered since this academic year; these have 120 ECTS credits and lead to a Master of Science in Engineering; the lecture language is English "in order to remain competitive" and the courses can be taken part-time. One million euros had been invested in the infrastructure during the summer months, but there was a lack of future prospects for young academics, Prommer emphasised, calling for accredited doctoral programmes to be offered. Doctoral programmes could be developed, Prommer spoke of a "logical further development of the existing profiles"; what is needed now is rapid implementation.

Hannes Raffaseder, Managing Director of St. Pölten UAS, said: "The entire university of applied sciences sector is still booming." St. Pölten UAS has increased the number of students to over 4,000 and research revenue has also increased. The university is represented in prominent journals and co-operates with many partners, companies and universities. Raffaseder highlighted the two dual study programmes Rail Vehicle Technology and Social Pedagogy and emphasised the record number of prospective students and applicants. "We need the right to award doctorates to universities of applied sciences," Raffaseder said, explaining that Europe is competitive with the USA and China in the field of basic research, but that it is now time to take the next step.

Axel Schneeberger, Managing Director of Wr. Neustadt UAS, informed the audience that Wr. Neustadt UAS also has over 4,500 students. A new Bachelor's and a new Master's degree programme have been offered since this academic year: "Computer Science" and "Sustainable Finance & Digital Transformation". Both degree programmes are overbooked and taught in English, which is a first for the FH Wr. Neustadt, Schneeberger emphasised the "trend towards international education". In the area of research, Schneeberger mentioned AI in agriculture, smart farming, at the Wieselburg site and in Wr. Neustadt itself, the main focus is on key technology in the field of quantum sensor technology and satellite construction. Schneeberger also emphasised the importance of the right to award doctorates in order not to lose young researchers

Enquiries & Contact

Office of the Lower Austrian Provincial Government
Regional Office Directorate/Public Relations
Anita Elsler, BA BA
Telephone: +43 (0)2742 / 9005 - 12163
E-Mail: anita.elsler@noel.gv.at