Universities of Applied Sciences - Inflation Eats Up the Future: Urgent Appeal from Tyrol to the Federal Government!

The Tyrolean universities of applied sciences are sounding the alarm: "We cannot cope with the massive inflation without a substantial increase in the federal government's previous funding for study places," reads a "crisis letter" from the Austrian Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences (FHK), the lobby group for all Austrian universities of applied sciences.

The Tyrolean FHK board members Thomas Madritsch (FH Kufstein), Walter Draxl (FH Gesundheit) and Andreas Altmann (MCI) have also informed their sponsoring institutions (Province of Tyrol, municipalities, social partners...) about this urgent appeal and are now sending an urgent "call for help" to Vienna together with them:

"While massive financial efforts are being made by the Tyrol to strengthen the Tyrolean institutions (infrastructure, research, studies, further education, etc.), binding commitments from the Ministry of Science are still outstanding.
"We absolutely need a timely inflationary adjustment. We are suffering from around 10% inflation, energy costs are exploding, staff costs are going through the roof due to contractual obligations and torn global supply chains are doing the rest."
"We request the Ministry of Science, in cooperation with the members of the Austrian Federal Government, to immediately meet the oppressive funding needs of the universities of applied sciences and to comply with an adjustment of the funding rates per federally funded study place by at least 20 per cent at the latest with effect from 1 January 2023."

Tyrolean Governor Günther Platter fully supports this request: "Our universities of applied sciences stand for scientifically sound degree programmes in the fields of technology, digitalisation, life sciences, business, health and social affairs. These professional fields are of the utmost relevance for Austria as an internationally competitive location. And further: "Tyrol is investing extensively in university buildings, laboratories, research projects and, last but not least, in (co-)financing study places. Now it's the federal government's turn," Tyrol's governor emphatically reiterates the demand.

Tyrolean Science Councillor Annette Leja adds: "This is not about additional funds, but about an urgently needed compensation for the galloping inflation. The inflation is causing the funds provided by the federal government per study place to melt away massively, the inflation of the last time is worrying," emphasises Provincial Councillor Annette Leja: "If the federal government does not react immediately, we will endanger a dynamic and highly relevant future sector for Austria".

MCI Supervisory Board Chairman Oswald Wolkenstein, who as Managing Director of the Industry, Banking and Insurance Divisions in the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce and Industry is very familiar with the needs of the economy, takes the same line: "Who, if not our universities of applied sciences, should train experts at the highest level in the professional fields that are so urgently in demand and support our companies in questions of applied research, technology and innovation? For this, however, we need efficient framework conditions and immediate measures. At present, the universities of applied sciences are on hold and urgently need support."

Eugen Stark, Managing Director of the Federation of Austrian Industry Tyrol, confirms this statement: "For almost three decades, Austria's universities of applied sciences have been writing a success story. Therefore, the IV Tyrol fully supports the demand for immediate inflation compensation. In addition, we insist on efficient framework conditions with lean processes, quick approvals and little bureaucracy. There is a need for additional action here

The final appeal of the three Tyrolean FH directors Thomas Madritsch, Walter Draxl and Andreas Altmann: "Federal Minister Polaschek, during your visits you have experienced the performance of our institutions in teaching, research, innovation and start-ups, the labour market relevance of our degree programmes and our indispensability in the socially so important areas of health, care and social affairs. We urgently need funding security through immediate, 20 per cent adjustment of the funding rates and subsequent regular valorisation!"

Enquiries:

Andreas Altmann, , +43 664 311 8736

Thomas Madritsch,

Walter Draxl,