Hungarian foundation dissolution puts Vienna university’s future in doubt

The dissolution of a Hungarian foundation has cast doubt over the future of Modul University Vienna, ORF reported. The private university, based on Vienna’s Kahlenberg hill, is largely owned by the Hungarian Matthias Corvinus Foundation.

About 600 international students study at the university, which specialises in tourism management. Three years ago, the Hungarian Mathias Corvinus Collegium largely took over the institution, originally founded by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, saying it wanted to expand its international network.

Peter Techet, a Hungary expert at the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, said the takeover had clear political aims. Speaking to ZIB 2, he described the university as a kind of training ground for links with radical-right and right-wing populist forces in Europe.

Since the change of government in Hungary under Prime Minister Peter Magyar, projects from Viktor Orbán’s 16-year era have been dismantled. The Matthias Corvinus Foundation was dissolved at the end of July. Under Orbán, billions in state assets had flowed into the foundation, which supported institutions and networks linked to his Fidesz party.

“The new government decided simply to discontinue the foundation’s work,” Techet said. He added that this would affect institutions owned or funded by the foundation.

Staff and students at the university are uncertain about what will happen next. The new semester is scheduled to begin in mid-September, but Rector Karl Wöber said he did not yet know the details.

“Everyone involved is working to ensure that Modul University Vienna can continue its academic and university operations without restrictions,” Wöber said in a written statement to ZIB 2.

The Hungarian ministry responsible said consultations were under way. Experts on Hungary consider it unlikely that the heavily indebted Hungarian state will operate a private university in Austria over the long term. They believe it is more likely that a buyer will be sought.

Martin Rummel, chairman of the Austrian Conference of Private Universities, said Austria would be an attractive location for an organisation already active in the global education market because it is a popular place to study and has a highly international student body.

The Vienna Chamber of Commerce still owns 10% of Modul University Vienna. The university council includes prominent figures, among them former Austrian People’s Party minister Elisabeth Köstinger.