Austria loses one of the founding fathers of the Austrian university of applied sciences system

"Günther Schelling was without doubt one of the most important founding fathers of the Austrian university of applied sciences sector. He always played a key role in the university of applied sciences sector from the very beginning. We will always remember his work." emphasises FHK President Ulrike Prommer.

As early as the 1989/90 academic year, when Schelling was Rector of Graz University of Technology, he was commissioned by the then Science Minister Busek to establish a university of applied sciences study programme in Dornbirn. Schelling was subsequently also one of the most important advocates in the Rectors' Conference of Universities for the new University of Applied Sciences Studies Act, which was passed in 1993.

Schelling was particularly influential in his role as the first President of the University of Applied Sciences Council. It was he who gave the newly founded accreditation authority its structure and face and thus played a key role in shaping the university of applied sciences sector.

"Dr Günther Schelling also supported the founding of the FHK and was always a competent and reliable negotiator and contact person for the FHK and its members throughout his career," says Kurt Koleznik, Secretary General of the FHK.