FHK: Increasing the funding of study places by at least 20 per cent is absolutely necessary, and now!

The exploding costs due to inflation are already beginning to have an impact on the universities of applied sciences:

The exorbitant rise in energy costs as well as rising personnel and material costs are making life difficult for universities of applied sciences. The tight funding of study places offers the universities of applied sciences no room for manoeuvre to cushion this cost explosion and the galloping inflation.
Universities of applied sciences now educate almost 20 per cent of all Austrian students and produce more than 30 per cent of annual university graduates. Around 23,000 students are now starting the new academic year. They therefore play a key role in the fight against the shortage of skilled labour in companies and are an essential pillar for Austria as a business location.

The practice-orientated graduates of universities of applied sciences are in greater demand than ever before and are already being heavily courted by companies during their studies. In order to be able to continue to guarantee the high quality of teaching at universities of applied sciences, universities of applied sciences urgently need to recruit new staff:

• An increase in funding rates per study place of at least 20% from 1 January 2023 at the latest
  These 20 % are based on current inflation (personnel costs, energy costs, etc.) and at least partial compensation for previous cumulative losses in value.
  Without an increase in funding rates to the required level, the high quality of universities of applied sciences cannot be maintained. Further expansion of the sector is unthinkable without an adjustment.
• Introduction of special financing for special tasks
  Additional tasks assigned to the UAS sector by the Ministry require additional funding. In the past, the UAS sector has already been assigned a number of additional tasks that were not compensated for by additional financial resources. Additional tasks must also be financed additionally!

"The priority at the moment is clearly an immediate increase in funding rates of at least 20 per cent in order to ensure sustainable funding for universities of applied sciences and their operations. This is the only way to maintain the high quality of teaching at universities of applied sciences. This increase must take place from 1 January 2023 at the latest! The most important planning instrument for the UAS sector, the UAS development and financing plan, is currently being prepared. These increases must be reflected there now!" says FHK President Prommer.

The new UAS development and financing plan is due to go into consultation in December 2022.