FH Burgenland becomes "Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften"

Eisenstadt/Pinkafeld, 13th of November 2024: The "Burgenland University of Applied Sciences" changes its German name to "Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften". For the institution, this step represents a "further milestone" in its 30-year history, says Managing Director Georg Pehm.

"We are also thinking, teaching and researching less and less in terms of 'subjects', but rather in a highly interdisciplinary, interlinked and networked way." The new name emphasises this orientation and makes it clear. Burgenland University of Applied Sciences is also changing its external image. Its motto: "Uniting the exceptional" remains unchanged.

An amendment to the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, which came into force in July 2024, has given universities of applied sciences in Austria the opportunity to rename themselves "Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften". This is a step that the sector has long been calling for, explains Pehm. After all, the universities of applied sciences have developed enormously. The range of courses on offer is broader than ever before and the research area has been greatly expanded. "The designation 'Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften' is clearer, more appropriate and a statement that the previous dominance of specialisms should be transformed even more into interdisciplinary cooperation," argues Pehm. As Vice President of the Austrian Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences, he has also campaigned in favour of the new option.

Advantages for graduates

Harmonisation with the long-established designation in Germany and Switzerland is the right step in order to remain attractive, appropriately classified and internationally competitive as a study and university location, says UAS Rector Gernot Hanreich. For students and alumni, the new designation brings advantages because their degree is even easier to understand and compare internationally.

New logo, new public image

The Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften also has a new design. It corresponds to the "Burgenland brand", which has also been adopted by other public institutions. The new word-image brand is dominated by the "sun" and has the addition "University of Applied Sciences" under the "Hochschule Burgenland" lettering. The aim is to utilise the familiarity of the "Burgenland" brand as a university. "We know where our roots are, and we show that," says Pehm.

Current and former students can be seen at the centre of the new imagery. Accompanying students on their educational journey, imparting knowledge and skills and opening doors to new worlds and networks remains the main task of Burgenland University of Applied Sciences. This should also be conveyed visually with the new information subjects.

The Burgenland University of Applied Sciences in figures

Burgenland University of Applied Sciences currently offers a total of 15 Bachelor's and 13 Master's degree programmes as well as a further 40 university courses at two study centres in Eisenstadt and Pinkafeld. Over 8,400 regular and non-degree students are currently enrolled at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences. They study in one of the four departments - Energy & Environment, Health & Social Work, Information Technology and Business. The Burgenland University of Applied Sciences Group has also developed into an important employer. In total, almost 1,000 people earn an income with and through the Hochschule Burgenland Group.

How the subsidiaries are now called

FH Burgenland Weiterbildung GmbH becomes Hochschule Burgenland Weiterbildung GmbH and offers university courses in distance learning. It is the market-leading provider in the (specialised) higher education sector in Austria. Click here for the website

Forschung Burgenland retains its name as a subsidiary and remains Forschung Burgenland GmbH. It conducts research at the two university locations Eisenstadt and Pinkafeld. You can find the new website here.

Akademie Burgenland GmbH will retain its previous web address and name. It offers an attractive, varied and high-quality training and further education programme for employees in the public sector.

The subsidiaries are also taking the opportunity to adapt their public image as an active part of the "Burgenland brand".

www.hochschule-burgenland.at

Further enquiries:
Mag.a Christiane Staab │ Marketing & Communication │ University of Applied Sciences Burgenland GmbH │ Tel: +43 (0)5 7705 3537 │ E-Mail: christiane.staab@hochschule-burgenland.at