The FHK appeals to the negotiating teams forming the new federal government to strengthen universities of applied sciences (UAS) in the long term and to provide greater financial and structural support in the future as a key driver of innovation. As the country's second-largest university research sector, UASs make an essential contribution to research and development as well as to Austria's economic and social innovative strength.
"It is high time that a new federal government recognised the importance of UASs for the country's research and innovation landscape and took decisive action. Without sufficient funding for research, the enormous potential of the sector will remain untapped," emphasises Ulrike Prommer, President of the FHK.
UASs are a growing and future-orientated sector that urgently needs to adapt its framework conditions. In particular, the possibility of offering externally accredited doctoral programmes is of the utmost importance - and at those locations where the necessary research infrastructure and qualified personnel resources are available. "Future- and application-orientated research fields must not be allowed to lie fallow simply because domestic universities are not researching them," explains Kurt Koleznik, Secretary General of the FHK. "Especially in highly application-oriented fields such as AI, digitalisation, renewable energies and health, etc., the UASs have important research priorities for Austria. Without appropriate funding and specific doctoral programmes, these research areas cannot develop further for the benefit of society," says Secretary General Koleznik.
The sector is calling for a clear strategy and structural measures from the new federal government in order to provide UASs with the tools they need to fully fulfil their role as drivers of innovation. The steps taken so far by outgoing Federal Minister Polaschek - such as inflation compensation and additional study places - are inadequate. "We finally need structural measures, such as sustainable research funding and accredited doctoral programmes, in order to further develop our universities in a future-oriented manner," President Prommer concluded.