Will (specialised) universities in Austria be allowed to award doctorates in future? This question marks a particularly explosive debate in science policy at the moment. Most of the existing universities of applied sciences (UAS) have successively expanded their research and are strengthening the economy with their practical relevance. They are therefore increasingly demanding the right to offer doctoral programmes. The increased self-image in research is also reflected in the new designation as "Universities of Applied Sciences" (HAW). Since last year, it has gradually replaced the term "university of applied sciences" - based on new legal possibilities.
"Germany is already several steps ahead. There are independent doctorates at (specialised) universities in 14 out of 16 federal states"Kurt Koleznik, Secretary General of the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Conference (FHK), refers to the situation in neighbouring countries. The UASs in the centre and west of Austria in particular have their eye on their competitors in southern Germany: Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria have their own UAS doctorates with corresponding structures.
The representative body of the UASs views the proposal for their own doctorates in their sector, which is also anchored in the current government programme, positively, because the awarding of titles would then remain with the UASs. "Through the doctoral programme, we create added value for partners from business and society, as research results are quickly transformed into practice. Synergies are utilised and money is saved through international cooperation" Koleznik summarises the advantages of a reform.
Until the situation in Austria changes as intended, dissertations can still only be realised in cooperation with universities in Austria and abroad. The University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, for example, runs a doctoral programme to support doctoral students. According to this research-strong UAS, cooperation with universities generally works well, but sometimes reaches its limits. The basic research-orientated subject areas of the universities do not always fit in with the practice-orientated research profile of the UAS.
Aiming for more funding from Europe for research
"56 employees of the UAS Upper Austria have completed their dissertations in the last five years as a result of intensive research activities. In order to utilise further potential, independent doctorates are needed at UASs" emphasises Michael Rabl, President of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, a long-standing demand. Doctoral students would drive forward key technologies and innovations that directly help the economy. "We could even expand applied research with doctorates in the future, as they increase our chances of attracting European and international research funding to Austria" continues Rabl.
Andreas Altmann, Rector of MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® in Innsbruck, agrees with this demand. He sees doctoral programmes as an essential measure to keep research talent in Austria and attract top talent from abroad to the country: "Young researchers emigrate if they cannot complete their doctorate at a UAS in Austria and have to go abroad. With independent UAS doctoral programmes, the best minds stay in Austria, build their careers here and thus increase industry-related research performance. At the same time, we have an instrument to attract students and researchers who have emigrated back to Austria. We need courageous policies that show that Austria creates attractive prospects and invests in talent."
Competitive research for innovative companies - also internationally
Johann Kastner, who in addition to his position as Vice President of the FH Upper Austria also heads the R&D Committee of the FHK, sees independent doctoral programmes as an investment in Austria's future: "They prevent the emigration of talented young scientists, secure public funding, strengthen the regions, drive innovation from science to industry and thus make Austria internationally competitive. Joint doctoral programmes with European universities that have the right to award doctorates are also on the agenda."
In the view of the R&D Committee, FH/HAW doctorates diversify the higher education system as a whole and contribute to Austria's visibility on the world map of science.
Axel Schneeberger, Managing Director of the Wiener Neustadt University of Applied Sciences, agrees with all of this and adds: "We are constantly training doctoral students who work in our research programme and use our publicly funded infrastructure. However, the scientific achievement is "harvested" by the cooperation partner abroad who awards the doctoral degree, as we do not have this option. We finance science with Austrian taxpayers' money. The benefits, reputation, expertise and innovation should remain in Austria. This must also be in the interests of politicians and taxpayers. We have strong research fields at the FH Wiener Neustadt, especially in the area of current key technologies. With the possibility of independent doctoral programmes at our university, we are strengthening Austria's research landscape and thus promoting the resilience of the economic and industrial location."