2024-01-16 12:42:29
In the future, universities of applied sciences (FH) should also be able to call themselves universities of applied sciences. This is provided for in the government’s new higher education law package, which was reviewed last week and also includes new regulations for teacher training. In addition, short-term mobility should be promoted and the introduction of “microcredentials” should enable the recognition of non-formal learning for the first time.
In addition, the regulations on scientific and artistic integrity, such as plagiarism or misuse of AI, will be standardized for the individual types of universities. The universities are still responsible for ensuring this, Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) told journalists on Tuesday. The law stipulates that the institutions have to regulate this in their statutes – there are no specific technical requirements. However, in the course of accreditation and quality assurance procedures, it should be checked that appropriate structures and instruments have been established. “The universities will do well to establish an internal testing system,” said Green science spokeswoman Eva Blimlinger.
The new form of short-term mobility is intended to benefit those students who do not want to spend an entire semester at another university or who only want to complete online courses there. You can have up to 15 ECTS points credited per course of study, which corresponds to half a semester’s coursework. This option is intended primarily for courses within the framework of the European University Alliances or for certain smaller learning units (“microcredentials”). This will make it possible for the first time to recognize so-called non-formal learning, says Blimlinger. “Until now it was the case that you needed a certificate for everything if you wanted to get credit for something.” For these smaller units you don’t need a certificate of completion or a grade, just a confirmation of participation.
According to Polaschek, there are also “re-sharpenings” in higher education continuing education. For example, the new titles “BEng” (“Bachelor of Engineering (Continuing Education)”) and “MEng” (“Master of Engineering (Continuing Education)”) are being introduced for the MINT area. In addition, depending on the curriculum, admission to certain extraordinary bachelor’s programs requires a general university entrance qualification (Matura/university entrance examination) and for MBA or EMBA studies, there is a requirement for a degree in a relevant subject (bachelor’s degree).
In the area of private universities there will be a kind of “Lex SFU” (Sigmund Freud Private University). As soon as the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) sends a notice regarding the expiry or revocation of the accreditation, the university is no longer allowed to accept new students in the relevant degree program. In the interests of greater transparency, AQ Austria will in future also be able to publish the status of proceedings if an appeal has been lodged once morest its decision. This is intended to protect affected students or prospective students. The SFU had its approval for its medical master’s degree program revoked by AQ Austria. The procedure has still not been legally decided, and the university is also trying to re-accredit a medical master’s degree. Further change: In the future, there should be a clearer separation between sponsorship and university bodies in the organizational structure of private universities. So far, practically everything has been possible here, said Blimlinger. “In the future, there can be no multi-functions where students end up with the same people over and over once more.” In addition, the private sector’s desire to expand is somewhat curbed: they must first start their accredited studies before they can apply for approval of new ones.
In addition, universities also have the opportunity to set up joint “inter-university organizational units” beyond their own sector. The prerequisite for this is that a public university is involved. For example, new research facilities might be created, says Polaschek. In exceptional cases, private universities can also receive cash benefits from the federal government – in principle, there is a ban on financing here.
Polaschek and Blimlinger agree on the question of an independent right to award doctorates for universities of applied sciences. This won’t happen.
The proposed changes are under review (together with those for teacher training) until February 21st.
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