MCI welcomes expansion of study places

"It was with great pleasure that we learned of the Ministry of Education and Science's call for tenders to establish an additional 330 federally funded UAS study places in the STEM field. Science Minister Heinz Faßmann is thus enabling an important investment in the future of our country," MCI Rector Andreas Altmann announced in a press release.

The Ministry of Science is launching the next round of the expansion of universities of applied sciences and is providing funding for 330 additional beginner study places for the academic year 2020/21 in order to alleviate the shortage of academically qualified experts in the fields of STEM and digital transformation. The call for proposals focuses in particular on innovative study programmes such as Industry 4.0, information technology, digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence, cyber security and e-government. Planned cooperations with industry, career-enabling and dual studies as well as the training of women for STEM professions are to be given special consideration.

At MCI, there are currently three to four applications for every study place, and many excellently qualified and highly motivated young people cannot be accepted into the programme due to a lack of space. A similar picture emerges with regard to the labour market's demand for MCI graduates. Here, too, the enormous demand of the labour market cannot be nearly satisfied.

Tyrol's Governor Günther Platter is pleased for the province of Tyrol: "I welcome the federal government's decision to create 330 additional university of applied sciences places in Austria. Tyrol will also benefit from this, because more study places not only increase the future opportunities for young people, but also mean a further strengthening of the domestic business and science location. The future will be shaped by digital technologies and ways of working. That is why it is important to prepare young people for this in the best possible way with practical and scientifically based training."

Bernhard Tilg, Provincial Councillor for Science, is also pleased about the additional study places for Tyrol: "In the world of work, a structural change towards a knowledge society can be observed, which is characterised by research, technology and innovation. Mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and technology, as STEM subjects, form the central economic innovation sector. These university graduates ensure that Tyrol can continue to participate in technological progress as well as in the growth impulses and productivity gains of the high-tech sectors."

"The decision by Science Minister Heinz Faßmann and the Austrian Federal Government represents an important course for the future of our country and ambitious young people. There is hardly a more sensible measure to promote innovation, competitiveness and prosperity and to ensure social cohesion," MCI Rector Andreas Altmann expresses his delight.