Resentment in the FH sector on the rise

With regard to tomorrow's budget discussions in the National Council on the budget chapters for education, science and research, FHK President Ribitsch once again points out the lack of funds for financing study places at universities of applied sciences: "The figures are on the table, Mr Minister! Finally implement the increase in UAS funding rates announced in the government programme. Even before Covid-19, teaching, for which the federal government is responsible, was not fully funded. In recent weeks, we universities of applied sciences have proven that we can adapt quickly and flexibly to crisis situations. Adequate solutions were immediately created for the current admission procedures, teaching and study operations were switched to online and everything was done to ensure that students can complete their studies without delay. Now, Mr Minister, you must prove that you are addressing the crisis at universities of applied sciences. The universities of applied sciences and their students deserve a science minister who will stand up for them and who will ensure that teaching is fully funded in the interests of study quality."

The FH sector reacted with shock and incomprehension to the fact that Federal Minister Faßmann said in last week's budget committee that maintaining the FH funding rates at their current level could be described as a continuation of offensive measures.
As a reminder, the universities of applied sciences received the last minor adjustment to the value of student place funding in 2015. Since the start of study operations in 1994, the loss in value has been just under 33 per cent based on the CPI and just under 53 per cent based on the collective wage index. That is 2,500 euros or around 4,000 euros less federal funding per student or per student per year.

"In view of tomorrow's budget discussions, our appeal is also directed at the Austrian National Council. The universities of applied sciences need a monetary commitment from the science ministry on which they can secure the future qualitative and quantitative development of their degree programmes. Please support this important concern of the Austrian universities of applied sciences," Ribitsch concluded.