FHK President urges further development of the FH sector

The General Assembly of the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Conference (FHK) unanimously elected a new Executive Board at its meeting on 15 November 2021 at the St. Pölten UAS. For the first time, a woman was elected to the top position. Ulrike Prommer, Managing Director of IMC FH Krems, will hold the office of President in the coming term of office (until 2024).

In addition to the two Vice Presidents Georg Pehm (FH Burgenland) and Andreas Breinbauer (FH BFI Vienna), the new Executive Board also includes Tanja Eiselen (FH Vorarlberg), Gabriele Költringer (FH Technikum Wien), Andreas Altmann (MCI) and Uwe Trattnig (FH Joanneum). The statutes of the FHK stipulate a term of office of three years for the Executive Board.

The universities of applied sciences have undergone an impressive development. They now have almost 60,000 students. Every third first-year student in Austria starts their degree programme at a university of applied sciences. Prommer comments: "The universities of applied sciences have now positioned themselves not only nationally but also internationally as a successful higher education sector. We have shown how higher education can function with a pronounced service orientation, student-centredness and a high degree of organisation. The success of our graduates proves us right. Now it is up to politicians to adapt the framework conditions so that we can react flexibly and efficiently to the demands of the times."

According to Prommer, this means that comprehensive de-bureaucratisation must take place. Overly detailed regulations restrict development processes and progress and prevent a rapid response to current developments on the labour market. In addition, sufficient funding for teaching and research must be ensured in order to continue to guarantee the high quality of education. With this in mind, Prommer urges that the next UAS development and financing plan, the planning document of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research for the further development of the UAS sector, be drawn up swiftly for the period from the 20022/2023 academic year.

Prommer: "The demand from business and industry for highly qualified graduates continues unabated. In order to continue to train excellent graduates at universities of applied sciences, the next planning basis is needed as quickly as possible so that we can move on to implementation."