Demonstration in Graz over the planned budget cuts

Several thousand students, researchers, doctors, lecturers, administrative staff and other university members demonstrated today in Graz against the announced cuts to the university budget. The rectorates and student unions of Styria’s universities warned of massive consequences for research, teaching and the region’s standing as a centre of science.

#SaveUniversities

Under the slogan “#SaveTheUniversities”, universities, student representatives and supporters of education, science and research protested today in Graz against the federal government’s planned budget cuts. The march led from Wilhelm-Fischer-Allee through Graz city centre to the main square. The backdrop to this is the announcement of massive cuts in the higher education sector, against which universities and interest groups have been issuing urgent warnings for days.

According to initial estimates, more than 6,500 people took part in the demonstration, which went ahead as planned and without incident.

In their statements, the rectors and student representatives emphasised the importance of reliable funding for research, teaching and innovation:

University of Graz Rector Peter Riedler

The situation has not improved in recent days. Quite the contrary. The federal government is putting off the urgent issues. The outlook will not be any better in the autumn. We need clarity now on the funding path for universities. A real reduction of 2.5 billion euros represents a massive and insurmountable cut if Austria wishes to continue to hold its own in the world as a nation of knowledge, research and innovation.

Med Uni Graz Rector Andrea Kurz

The Styrian universities stand united against cuts to university funding. The example of the Medical University of Graz makes it clear that savings do not merely affect teaching and research, but directly jeopardise healthcare provision and the training of future doctors. At the same time, the demands placed on universities in terms of teaching, research, innovation and social responsibility are increasing, whilst resources are in real terms declining or uncertain. This development is unsustainable. It leads to a decline in quality in education, healthcare and research. Investment in universities is therefore not an option, but a prerequisite for a functioning healthcare system, scientific progress and the future of the region.

TU Graz Rector Horst Bischof

Cutting back on universities today jeopardises tomorrow’s economy. This concerns both the shortage of skilled workers and the decline in innovation. If funding for universities is cut, it will mean a lasting weakening of our position as a centre of business and science. The foundations for the technologies of the future are laid at universities; the innovators of tomorrow are trained here. Cutting funding for higher education would therefore have repercussions that extend far beyond the universities themselves.

University of Music and Performing Arts Graz Rector Georg Schulz

Of course, we at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (KUG) are also aware that savings are necessary. But the planned cuts affect us disproportionately and are hitting us hard. This must be prevented, because universities are a vital lifeline for Austria – not only as a competitive economic hub, but also as a democracy and cultural nation, as well as a country where music thrives.

Leoben University of Mining and Technology Rector Peter Moser

As Rector of the Montanuniversität Leoben, I strongly warn against the planned budget cuts. They mean less innovation, slow down future technologies and weaken Austria as a centre for research and higher education in the long term. If funds for laboratories, equipment and qualified staff are lacking, we will lose talent, delay key projects and risk no longer being able to make full use of European funding and industrial partnerships. This affects not only the universities, but the entire value chain: from spin-offs and start-ups, through the competitiveness of our businesses, to regional jobs. Particularly in times of energy and climate transition, efficient resource use and digitalisation, we need strong, reliable research and excellent teaching. Universities are not a cost factor, but the driving force behind prosperity, resilience and technological sovereignty. Those who cut back on education and research today will pay the price tomorrow with reduced competitiveness, greater dependence and missed opportunities.

Call for planning certainty

The universities highlighted in particular the devastating impact on study conditions, jobs and the international competitiveness of Austria as a centre of science.

University staff unanimously appealed to the federal government to withdraw the announced cuts and to ensure planning security for universities and higher education institutions.