New Academic Year Starts with E-Student ID and Kindergarten Studies

Universities, in turn, have new opportunities for so-called "Opportunity Hiring." And even beyond elementary education, they are expanding their study offerings.

In terms of kindergarten training, the University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna is launching a bachelor's program (for 80 high school graduates) and a bachelor's professional program (for 30 people with professional qualifications or experience, such as assistants or leisure educators) - each in a dual form. Students receive an employment contract with kindergarten operators. The new studies aim to create an additional training path for the currently in-demand profession, alongside the classic training at educational institutions for elementary education (Bafep) - for example, for high school graduates from other school forms.

But Other New Studies Are Also Starting: Drone Engineers and Mountain Experts

But other new studies are also starting at universities of applied sciences (many of which now call themselves universities of applied sciences, note) as well as at universities. At the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein, for example, a program in "Drone Engineering" is starting, and at the University of Applied Sciences Carinthia, an interpreter training for sign language. At the University of Vienna, one can now study "Mathematical Foundations of Data Science" (Bachelor) or "Microbiome Science" (Master), the University of Innsbruck is using its location for the extension study "Mountain Regions," and at the University of Klagenfurt, the bachelor's program "Digital Media, Culture and Communication" is starting, to name just a few.

For the first time, the "Interdisciplinary University for Digital Transformation" (IT:U) in Linz is also offering a master's program. "Interdisciplinary Computing" is aimed at bachelor's graduates from all disciplines and aims to connect computer sciences with a variety of other disciplines.

During the course of the summer semester, students will have access to a nationwide digital student ID for the first time, which can be accessed on smartphones via ID-Austria and the "eAusweise" app. It will be valid for all studies for which there is admission at Austrian universities, universities of applied sciences, and teacher training colleges. The associated digital onboarding, i.e., online application and online admission to a study program, is already starting gradually. Applicants who have an ID-Austria and whose data is stored there no longer need to submit all documents relevant for admission (e.g., passport, school leaving certificate) separately - these can be securely retrieved by the universities, for example, via the central registration or education register.

Facilitations for US Professors

There are facilitations in the recognition of achievements made at Austrian conservatories with public rights for studies at universities. Here, the maximum limits are being removed. Due to the valorization of the study grant that has been in effect since 2023, the grant amounts will also increase by 4.6 percent in this academic year.

Universities have been given the opportunity, limited until September 30, 2026, to more easily hire professors from the USA without lengthy job postings. Specifically, this should be allowed in ten instead of the previous five percent of cases. Additionally, the Agency for Education and Internationalization (OeAD) and the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH) are providing scholarships of 1,200 euros per month for around 50 students who are at risk due to anti-democratic political interventions and therefore cannot continue their studies in their home country. This program is not limited to US students.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.