2023-11-11 09:00:36
LH Mikl-Leitner/LH-Deputy Pernkopf: The state of Lower Austria is also increasing funding for universities of applied sciences
St. Pölten (OTS/NLK) – Over 11,600 students are currently taking advantage of the wide range of courses offered by the Lower Austrian universities of applied sciences IMC Krems, FH St. Pölten, FH Wiener Neustadt and the Ferdinand Porsche Fern FH. This means that the technical colleges are an essential pillar of Lower Austria as a university location. “It is very welcome that the federal government will now increase the funding rates for technical colleges by ten percent as of January 1st. Our technical colleges in particular play an important role in combating the shortage of skilled workers due to their practical vocational training, because the graduates not only cushion this shortage, but also bring the latest findings and state-of-the-art knowledge to companies in Lower Austria “, said state governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf, who is also responsible for science, among other things.
But the universities of applied sciences are also facing major challenges, such as the high rate of inflation, a growing shortage in the labor market or the disproportionately high rise in energy prices. Lower Austria therefore responded to this situation at the end of 2022. “In addition to a compensation payment of almost 500,000 euros, we are increasing the funding rates in further annual steps by 6.5 percent for this year, by five percent for 2024 and by 3.5 percent for 2025. We have also increased the annual basic research funding by 30 percent to 130,000 euros each year. It should not be forgotten that universities of applied sciences are increasingly positioning themselves in research and are becoming increasingly successful in attracting third-party research funding. Our adjustments can therefore be seen as an appreciation of the work of our universities of applied sciences,” says Pernkopf.
State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner added: “We generally welcome the fact that the federal budget for science and research has been increased by 500 million euros, because the requirements and challenges are becoming ever greater. In order to overcome them, we need the knowledge of science and research.”
Questions & Contact:
Office of the Lower Austrian State Government
State Office Directorate/Public Relations
Philipp Hebenstreit
02742/9005-13632
presse@noel.gv.at
www.noe.gv.at/presse
1699694110
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