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A symbolic "higher education policy toolbox" stands for the joint work on the Higher Education Strategy 2040.
Eisenstadt, 20 January 2026 - "Universities of Applied Sciences have developed into a real model for success in their short history. A practice-oriented range of courses, combined with applied research and international networking, impresses students as well as business and society," emphasised Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner during a visit to Burgenland University of Applied Sciences in Eisenstadt.
The strong social dimension of Burgenland University of Applied Sciences is particularly noteworthy: three out of four students (77 per cent) are first-generation students, i.e. students whose parents do not yet have a university degree. "This shows the central role that universities of applied sciences play in equal opportunities, permeability and regional development," says Holzleitner.
Against the backdrop of far-reaching social and global changes, it is crucial to set the course for the future, Holzleitner continued: "The major issues of our time - from artificial intelligence and climate protection to strengthening our democracy - make it clear how central universities are to our society. This is why we are launching a broad, joint development process with the Higher Education Strategy 2040, which will also strengthen universities in the long term as places of knowledge, critical thinking, innovation and equal opportunities.
The Burgenland University of Applied Sciences supports the efforts of the Minister of Science to sharpen a strong image of the future of the tertiary sector in Austria with the Higher Education Strategy 2040, says Managing Director Georg Pehm. "We are approaching this process constructively, with commitment and clear expectations." The aim must be to consistently sharpen the profile of the universities of applied sciences - on the basis of previous successes, modern teaching, practice-oriented research and clear professional expertise.
The universities had "grudgingly accepted" the federal government's current consolidation programme, said Pehm in his role as 1st Vice President of the Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences. "But we are at the limit. More is not possible." Reliable, sufficient funding is needed from 2027.
Those who expect performance from universities must also make it possible. This applies to teaching as well as applied research and innovations in digitalisation, sustainability and internationalisation.
Georg Pehm, Managing Director of Burgenland University of Applied Sciences
University Rector Bettina Schauer-Frank welcomes the efforts that have been initiated to consider changes to the current accreditation processes. "Anyone who bears responsibility for quality also needs scope for decision-making," emphasises Schauer-Frank.
More autonomy and less bureaucracy, for example by shifting responsibility for setting up new degree programmes directly to the university - that would send a strong signal to the universities. Universities know best what their students, the economy and society need.
Bettina Schauer-Frank, Rector of the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences
The Minister's goals are ambitious and require a great deal of skill and perseverance. The university presented the Minister with a specially designed, highly symbolic "higher education policy toolbox" to help her master the tasks ahead.
The toolbox contains deliberately selected symbols:
As part of her visit to Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner held talks with the university management, the rector, vice-rectors and department heads, with Works Council Chair Alexandra Baldwin and with the Chair of the Austrian Students' Union at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, Ronja Hasler. Another item on the programme was an exchange with students from the Master's degree programme in Digital Media and Communication on the topic of "University Strategy 2040", moderated by Vice-Rector Michael Roither.
From left: University of Applied Sciences Burgenland Rector Bettina Schauer-Frank, ÖH Chairwoman Ronja Hasler, Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, University of Applied Sciences Burgenland Managing Director Georg Pehm.
From left: University of Applied Sciences Burgenland Rector Bettina Schauer-Frank, University of Applied Sciences Burgenland Managing Director Georg Pehm, Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner.
Press photo ÖH Chairwoman Talk
from left: Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner and ÖH Chairwoman Ronja Hasler
From left to right: University of Applied Sciences Burgenland authorised signatory Eszter Toth, Vice-Rector for International Affairs Michael Roither, Works Council Chairwoman Alexandra Baldwin, Department Head of Economics Silvia Ettl-Huber, Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Rector Bettina Schauer-Frank, the two University of Applied Sciences Burgenland Managing Directors Georg Pehm and Nikolaus Schermann.
Further enquiries:
Florian Atzmüller, MSc | Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research
Phone: +43 664 78092423
Email: florian.atzmueller@bmfwf.gv.at
Mag.a Christiane Staab │ Burgenland University of Applied Sciences
Phone: +43 (0)5 7705 3537
Email: christiane.staab@hochschule-burgenland.at
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