BM Faßmann's language in the Budget Committee is a mockery of the universities of applied sciences

FHK President Ribitsch was stunned by BM Faßmann's choice of words in the parliamentary budget committee yesterday. Faßmann spoke yesterday in the context of the higher education budget of "offensive measures" that should be continued. In relation to the universities of applied sciences, he spoke of "maintaining the higher funding rates at the universities of applied sciences". Faßmann is actually referring to a minor value adjustment that dates back to 2015(!).

"To portray the current funding situation of universities of applied sciences in this way is a slap in the face. Universities of applied sciences are currently facing a situation in which teaching is far from fully funded. The loss in value of student place funding since the universities of applied sciences were founded amounts to more than 40 per cent. This is how you are starving the universities of applied sciences, Mr Minister! If you describe maintaining this budgeting path as maintaining higher funding rates, you are closing your eyes to reality. Today, we receive 2,500 euros less federal funding per student per year than when the universities of applied sciences were founded 25 years ago, and the Covid crisis of recent weeks has exacerbated this dramatic situation," said Ribitsch.

The universities of applied sciences are therefore once again making an urgent appeal to the federal government: Increase the UAS funding rates NOW, as announced in the government programme!