Universities seek greater efficiency and threaten new protests as austerity looms

Austria’s universities are preparing for another wave of protests as they face the prospect of major budget cuts. At the same time, university leaders say the sector must become more efficient.

The university conference wants institutions to pool infrastructure and pursue gradual mergers. It has also proposed raising minimum study requirements and reducing the number of examination attempts. Brigitte Hütter, rector of the University of Arts Linz and head of the universities conference, is calling for structural reforms alongside more funding.

The government must decide by the end of October how much money universities will receive from 2028 to 2030 under their performance agreements. Demonstrations against the threatened cuts drew large crowds in the spring but have since faded. The basic situation, however, has changed little over the summer.

Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner of the Social Democratic Party announced a special government meeting on the issue during the protests, seeking to calm universities. No firm date has yet been set. The universities’ warning of renewed protests reflects the continuing uncertainty over the future budget.