The outstanding performance in the APA-OGM Trust Index confirms the university’s high standards of quality and its strong roots in academia, business and society.

Economic uncertainties, technological upheavals and social changes are calling many certainties into question. This makes the trust that people place in Austrian universities of applied sciences (FH) and universities of applied sciences (HAW) all the more significant. Their leading position in the APA-OGM Confidence Index is therefore far more than just a good ranking: it is a sign of high credibility and social relevance.

„Our top ranking demonstrates the high level of trust the public places in our universities. Climate crises, demographics, digitalisation, AI and many other current issues are on people’s minds; they expect our universities to provide immediately actionable, practice-based expertise rather than further „why“ analyses. Our universities are living up to precisely this social responsibility,“ said FHK President Ulrike Prommer.

Anyone who wishes to strengthen Austria must ensure that applied science is given equal standing within the system and is financially secure. This is the key to the country’s future prosperity. The encouraging results of the confidence index come at just the right time, as the government is also set to negotiate the budgetary framework for universities of applied sciences (FH/HAW) for the coming years in the next few days.

„Our universities are under enormous pressure due to rising staff, energy and infrastructure costs. For our part, we place our trust in the Federal Government. All efforts to ensure that funding for university places is reliably safeguarded, as well as sustainable and structural research funding, are investments that directly benefit society and the economy. Furthermore, independent doctoral programmes at universities of applied sciences (FH/HAW) are an important structural measure for retaining highly qualified academic staff in Austria. These must be implemented swiftly,“ emphasises FHK Secretary-General Kurt Koleznik.

Investing in our universities is investing in Austria’s future. Strengthening universities of applied sciences (FH/HAW) helps to train urgently needed skilled workers and promotes innovation and value creation in the regions. Our higher education institutions open up opportunities, nurture talent regardless of background and, in doing so, strengthen social mobility in our society.