Academic excellence is a central aspect of universities of applied sciences and Austrian universities as a whole

The "Austrian University Plan 2030" published yesterday is criticised in parts by the FHK. The profile description of the universities of applied sciences in particular only mentions vocational and practice-orientated education and training, with no reference whatsoever to scientific research.

Ulrike Prommer, President of the FHK, commented: "Our success is due to our specific profile, which has established us as a university sector focussed on scientific and professional fields. It is precisely this profile that has characterised our almost thirty-year success story. The comparison that the higher education plan draws with the university of applied sciences sector in Denmark and the Netherlands is inappropriate, as the degree programmes offered by universities of applied sciences in Austria are not limited to Bachelor's programmes, but also include Master's programmes and research. It would be more appropriate and in line with reality to compare the Austrian university of applied sciences sector with the universities of applied sciences in Germany and Switzerland. There, research and the subject of dissertations at universities of applied sciences have a status that should be a model for Austria."