Important political decisions will be made for our universities in the coming weeks. With Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, we have a strong supporter for our concerns. The issues we are addressing are

  • Will there be funding for research or research-led teaching at UASs? Will this aspect be taken into account in the calculation of future student place funding, as our universities are demanding and as the government programme envisages?
  • Will our universities be given the opportunity to set up independent doctoral programmes in order to promote domestic application and transfer-oriented research?

We will be discussing these and other questions with political decision-makers at the political panel on 16 April as part of the FH/HAW research forum.

Research forum of the FH/HAW at the FH Campus 02 in Graz

WHEN: 16 April 2026 from 9 am

WHERE: Europasaal of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce, Körblergasse 111-113, 8010 Graz

The Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research has confirmed her participation. Eva-Maira Holzleitner, the State Secretary for Finance Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, President of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce Josef Herk and the President of the FHK Ulrike Prommer.

Our universities receive many positive signals from politicians, as their great social importance for Austria is undisputed.

  • They not only provide theory, but also practical solutions that are directly applicable in society, business and industry and make them more innovative and resilient.
  • The current challenges are complex: the climate crisis, demographics and digitalisation require knowledge that can be put into practice immediately - and this is exactly what our universities are producing.
  • Our universities are one of the most important measures against inherited social inequality, as they promote excellent minds from all social classes, even in structurally weak regions.
  • If we want to strengthen Austria for the future, applied science must be structurally equalised and financially secure. Our universities need sustainable funding for study places that takes research into account as well as independent doctoral programmes.

The ball is now in the politicians' court. Concrete commitments are still missing. We look forward to an exciting discussion!

Please send your registration to: office@fhk.ac.at

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us!

Enquiries & Contact

Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences (FHK)
Kurt Koleznik
Phone: 0664/4244294
E-Mail: kurt.koleznik@fhk.ac.at

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