As chairs of the university councils, we have consistently shown understanding for the fact that universities, too, must contribute to budgetary consolidation. At the same time, we have urged that a sustainable solution for the future funding of universities be found through constructive dialogue. The budget now presented falls significantly short of the funding requirement of 18 billion euros for the 2028–2030 funding period, as jointly determined with the Austrian University Conference (uniko). Particularly disappointing are the course of the dialogue and the lack of transparency regarding the figures presented.
The sum of less than 16 billion euros for three years in no way ensures the forward-looking development of the universities and jeopardises a number of successful initiatives and new projects. Without adjustment for inflation, this development amounts to a substantial real cut of well over ten per cent. The consequences would be severe. The international reputation of Austrian universities and the country’s capacity for innovation would also suffer greatly as a result.
One possible way out of this situation is to cover additional funding commitments outside the university budget. The salaries of doctors, the funding of IT:U and the FTI Pact must not be at the expense of the universities’ already strained budgets. We therefore call on the Federal Government to fund these items outside the allocated framework of just under 16 billion euros, whilst ensuring that the full amount of 16 billion euros is allocated in the performance agreements and that no budget reserves are retained by the Ministry. This could be a decisive step towards improving universities’ financial leeway and at least limiting the impending cuts.
Naturally, we will ensure, within the governing bodies, that necessary structural reforms and optimisations in administrative and academic procedures, as well as binding forms of cooperation, are implemented swiftly and efficiently. We will also support the reduction of parallel degree programmes with low student numbers. However, this will only be possible if reform projects are not overshadowed by mere cost-cutting measures and battles over resource allocation. The legislature also has a role to play in improving the efficiency of universities, as the legal framework governing higher education is an essential prerequisite for targeted and successful study.
The continuous development of universities makes a key contribution to a stable democracy, social progress and Austria’s successful economic development.
Dr Hildegund Amanshauser, University of Applied Arts Vienna; Prof. Arne Bathke, Deputy Chair of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna; Herbert Beiglböck, MBA, University of Graz; Mag.a Dr Andrea B. Braidt, MLitt, Privatdozent, University of Art and Design Linz; Dr Eva Dichand, Medical University of Vienna; Dr Bernhard Hainz, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna; Dr Michael Heinisch, Medical University of Graz; Prof. Herwig Hösele, University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz; Dr Cattina Leitner, LL.M., Vienna University of Economics and Business; DI Georg List, MBA, Deputy Chair, Graz University of Technology; Univ.-Prof. Dr Elisabeth Lovrek, University of Vienna; Mag.a Angelika Möser, University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna; Univ.-Prof. Dr. Katharina Pabel, University of Linz; Dipl.-Ing. Josef Plank, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna; Professor Dr Rosa Reitsamer, Mozarteum University Salzburg; Dr Reinhard Schretter, lic.oec, University of Innsbruck; Dr Marianne Schulze, LL.M., University of Salzburg; Professor Emerita Dr Dr Christiane Spiel, Leoben University of Mining and Technology; Professor Dr rer. nat. Johanna Stachel, Vienna University of Technology; Mag. Werner Wutscher, MPA, University of Klagenfurt; Dr Elisabeth Zanon, Medical University of Innsbruck
