Graz rector warns university cuts could weaken research and economy

University of Graz Rector Peter Riedler has warned that cuts to university funding would weaken research, teaching and Austria’s economic base, ORF reported.

The federal government is due to discuss the future university budget at a working meeting on Saturday. It must approve funding for 2028 to 2030 by the end of October. The current proposal is €15.5 billion for all universities, while the Austrian Universities Conference, known as uniko, has estimated a need of €18 billion.

“We are all aware that we are living in challenging budgetary times,” Riedler said. Universities can and will make savings, he said, but the cuts must not damage structures built through considerable effort and needed for the future.

Eco Austria Director Monika Köppl-Turyna said in September that university research and teaching account for 3% to 10% of real economic growth. Riedler said the breadth of university education in Austria was “not a luxury” but a condition for society’s future viability.

According to Eco Austria, universities in Styria generate €1.25 billion in economic value each year and support around 20,000 jobs.