University of Vienna 2020 Development Plan
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
University of Vienna 2020 Development Plan
University of Vienna 2020 Development Plan Upon the Proposal of the Rectorate Following Consent by the Senate of the University of Vienna on 22 January 2015 Unanimously Approved by the University Board of the University of Vienna on 23 January 2015
4.5 Quality Assurance 45
4.5.1 C
omprehensive Evaluation as a Principle 45
4.5.2 A
ppointment and Recruitment Procedures for Professorships and Tenure Track Positions 46
4.5.3 Q
uality Development in the Area of Studies and Teaching 47
4.5.4 Q
uality Management and Target Agreements 47
Contents 4.6 Staff Structure and Human Resources Development
4.6.1 S trategic Human Resources Planning
47
48
4.6.2 H
uman Resources Development and Personnel Management 48
4.6.3 Equality and Diversity 49
4.7 Infrastructure 49
4.7.1 R
esearch Instruments and IT Infrastructure 50
1. Preamble 5
4.7.2 Area and Locations 50
4.7.3 University Library 52
2. The Tasks and Role of the University of Vienna 9
2.1 Research at the University of Vienna 9
5. Key Research Areas of the Faculties and Subject Dedication of Professorships 55
2.2 Studying at the University of Vienna 10
5.1 Faculty of Catholic Theology 55
2.3 The University of Vienna in Business and Society 11
5.2 Faculty of Protestant Theology 59
2.4 The Internationality of the University 12
5.3 Faculty of Law 61
2.5 A
utonomy, Competition and Cooperation as the University’s Principles of Configuration 12
5.4 Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics 65
2.6 The University Members and their Contribution to the Joint Shaping of the University’s Future 14
5.5 Faculty of Computer Science 68
2.7 E qual Opportunities for all Members of the University 15
5.6 Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies 70
2.8 Quality Assurance 16
5.7 Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies 74
5.8 Faculty of Philosophy and Education 79
3. Starting Point 19
5.9 Faculty of Psychology 84
3.1 Research at the University of Vienna 19
5.10 Faculty of Social Sciences 87
3.2 S tudy and Teaching at the University of Vienna 24
5.11 Faculty of Mathematics 92
3.3 The Financial Situation of the University of Vienna 26
5.12 Faculty of Physics 96
4. Implementation of Core Tasks 31 5.13 Faculty of Chemistry 99
4.1 Implementation of the Core Task of Teaching 31 5.14 Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy 103
4.1.1 Continuous Improvement in the Quality of Degree Programmes 31 5.15 Faculty of Life Sciences 108
4.1.2 Focuses in the Area of Bachelor’s Programmes 32
5.Z1 Centre for Translation Studies 113
4.1.3 Focuses in the Area of Master’s Programmes 33
5.Z2 Centre for Sport Science and University Sports 115
4.1.4 Focuses in the Area of Teacher Education Programmes 34
4.1.5 Focus on the Administration of Degree Programmes and Services 35 5.Z3 Centre for Molecular Biology 117
4.2 I mplementation of the Core Task of Research 36 5.Z4 Centre for Teacher Education 120
4.2.1 The Further Development of the University’s Research Profile 36
4.2.2 Promotion of Young Scholars 37 6. Degree programmes at the University of Vienna 125
4.2.3 Innovation and Third Party-Funded Research 37 6.1 Theology 126
4.3 International and National Cooperation 39 6.2 Law 126
4.3.1 International Cooperation in Research 40 6.3 Social Sciences, Business and Economics 126
4.3.2 Promotion of Student and Teacher Mobility 40 6.4 Engineering Sciences 127
4.3.3 National Cooperation 41
6.5 Arts and Humanities 127
4.4 I mpact of the University on Society 42
6.6 Natural Sciences 129
4.4.1 Knowledge Transfer and Innovation together with the Economy 42
4.4.2 Knowledge Transfer and Innovation for Society 43
6.7 Interdisciplinary Degree Programmes 130
4.4.3 Lifelong Learning, Continuing Education and Training 44 6.8 Teacher Education and Degree Programmes Related to Teaching 131
4.4.4 Public Awareness, Public Relations Work 45 6.9 Doctoral Programmes 131
2 3
1. Preamble
In today’s knowledge societies, universities are vital can compete with those countries which are in
for the country’s social, economic and cultural creasingly investing in the areas of research and
development. This applies in particular to the Uni- tertiary education. As the basis of the performance
versity of Vienna: it is, after all, by far the largest agreement, this Development Plan explains how the
university in Austria, providing the widest range University of Vienna will face the upcoming chal-
of subject areas. The University makes its contribu- lenges.
tion by qualifying future academics for all spheres
of society and by conducting internationally orient- This Development Plan sets out the guiding prin-
ed and visible research activities. However, in its ciples for further development and lists the basic
capacity as Austria’s largest teacher education insti- measures which need to be taken. As the Develop
tution, the University of Vienna also exerts substan- ment Plan has been approved by all of the gover-
tial influence on the secondary education of future ning bodies of the University, it forms an impor-
generations. tant basis for the work of the University’s decision-
makers. With regard to research, the Development
Owing to the autonomy it was granted by the 2002 Plan defines a dynamically evolving profile and
Universities Act, the University of Vienna has been emphasises basic research that is open to applica-
able to undergo many positive developments in tion, expansion into new areas of research and also
recent years. The University has substantially in- interdisciplinarity as unique features of the Uni-
creased the number and impact of its published re- versity of Vienna. Thanks to the particularly wide
search findings and also the amount of third-party range of subjects available at the University of
funding it has attracted and the research awards it Vienna, it is in a good starting position to take ad-
has won. The number of enrolled students and also vantage of the opportunities provided by the EU
graduates has grown considerably in many degree research programme Horizon 2020. Following
programmes. Despite these successes, the Univer- the principle of combining teaching and research,
sity is confronted with a shortfall in the financial these features need to be primarily translated into
resources necessary to adequately cope with the interdisciplinary master’s programmes. The Bolo-
demands resulting from the increasing number of gna framework will be used to ensure greater ver-
students. This has led to an unsatisfactory situation tical and horizontal mobility. At the same time, the
regarding the student-teacher ratio in some degree University will continue to improve the quality of
programmes, but it has also affected the capacity its doctoral programmes. For bachelor’s and di-
to acquire new equipment and infrastructure, es- ploma programmes, framework conditions need to
pecially for research, and also increasingly in the be established that enable more satisfactory stu-
area of buildings. This Development Plan will illus- dent-teacher ratios.
trate this problem by comparing the financial situ-
ation of the University of Vienna with that of other With its research, the University of Vienna seeks to
universities abroad which have similar duties and have an impact on society. In the field of research,
responsibilities. Additional investments and fund- this will be done in particular by educating innova-
ing above the rate of inflation are required so that tive young people for the economy and society,
Austria and the University of Vienna in particular by dealing with socially relevant issues, by
4 5
presenting research findings to the general public knowledge. Above all, to achieve its objectives, the
and also by means of increased knowledge trans- University needs sufficient and sustainable funding
fer activities and cooperation projects with the eco- with the aim in the foreseeable future of at least
nomy. coming closer to teaching capacity-based funding
and also covering the full costs of the University’s
The University of Vienna has committed itself to research activities.
quality assurance in all of its fields of activity. Com-
petition plays a major role in this context. However, This Development Plan is based on the Development
the University also aims to strike the right balance Plan ‘University of Vienna 2015’. Many of the top
between competition and cooperation, both within ics, basic assumptions and stances it contains re-
the University and in its relationship with other main relevant and are therefore included in this
educational and research institutions. Development Plan. Objectives need to be adapted to
changing framework conditions and developments
The success of the University is built on the loy- in the university environment while taking the ex-
alty and the commitment of all its members. It is in periences gained in recent years into consideration.
this context that the University endorses a policy of
equal opportunities and opposes any form of direct The Development Plan specifies basic lines of action
or indirect discrimination. for the specific activities of the University’s bodies
and therefore, in particular, creates the framework
To reach the objectives presented in the Develop for the performance agreement for the years 2016
ment Plan it is necessary to maintain the legally to 2018. Specific measures within this framework
guaranteed autonomy and continue the trusted and depend on the framework conditions at the parti-
smooth cooperation between the different gover- cular point in time. With regard to the set priorities
ning bodies and organisational levels of the Uni- in particular, these depend on the available funding
versity. Additionally, all members of the University and infrastructure in the next performance agree-
need to be appropriately integrated into the deci ment period.
sion-making process by making use of their expert
6 7
2. The Tasks and Role
of the University of Vienna
The University is the place where knowledge for that they are able to make a contribution to the
the present and the future is developed, passed on further development of society; in research, this
and critically reflected upon while guaranteeing the is achieved by conducting high-level basic re-
principle of freedom of research and teaching. In search open to application, and which also helps
its research activities, the University contributes to enhance the country’s economic competitiveness
the acquisition and development of knowledge and through cooperation projects with business and
consequently to the answering of questions of soci- society;
etal relevance. In its teaching activities, it develops • is committed to contributing to the preservation
the students‘ ability to absorb academic knowledge, of cultural heritage;
to apply scientific methods to identify and solve • is committed to intensive communication with
problems, and to make discoveries and inventions the general public;
beyond the current level of knowledge. • is committed to the highest international quality
standards in all of its activities;
Universities are an integral part of the basic insti- • is committed to the principle of optimising its
tutional structure of modern knowledge societies, in-house organisational structures and allocation
and they need to be provided with the means to mechanisms to ensure the responsible use of
fulfil their role. Political decisions about the fund- resources supplied by the state.
ing and organisational framework conditions of
universities are influenced by public opinion. Ac-
cordingly, communication about university-related 2.1 R
esearch at the
topics with the non-university public is of particu- University of Vienna
lar importance in the difficult economic and poli-
tical environment of our time. The history of the The University of Vienna is a research university
University of Vienna contains a wealth of examples with a high international profile. It is conscious of
of the significance of university-based research for its roots – in particular local traditions – and at the
a country’s social, cultural and economic develop- same time understands research as a challenge that
ment. To raise interest in recent research and cur- goes well beyond its location. In this regard, and as
rent degree programmes, and to deepen the under- the largest institution of the tertiary sector in the
standing for the importance of universities, com- German-speaking countries, it strives to maintain
munication with the broader public is of vital im- its historically grown tradition where it has proved
portance. In this respect, the 650th Anniversary of successful and, at the same time, to venture into
the University of Vienna will mark a special occa- new and innovative research fields.
sion.
The University of Vienna is committed to basic
The University of Vienna research open to application and, through its re-
• is committed to the principle of social respon- search activities, to the necessity of contributing
sibility in teaching and research and sets itself to the acquisition of academic knowledge and to
the goal of imparting academic, intellectual and the solution of major societal challenges. Another
profession-oriented qualifications to students so goal is to attach appropriate importance to
8 9
application-oriented and applied research in line ciplinary research, the requirement of tackling the In this connection, the University is a place of di- • expects its students to work intensely on the sub-
with the possibilities of the subject area. In this way, urgent problems of our times, and the objective of versity in terms of disciplines and their research jects provided. It takes into account the external
the University of Vienna aims to play a more active pushing forward into research fields that have not and teaching methods. Students and teachers are framework conditions of studies (employment,
role in the innovation process and, in this context, yet been universally recognised. partners in a joint process of learning and teaching home care obligations) as far as possible;
sees as one of its tasks the training of young people on the basis of research-led teaching. Studying at • strives continuously to improve the study condi-
for business and society who have the key innova- Currently, the University of Vienna is merging its the University of Vienna is marked by individu- tions in order to intensify cooperation between
tion competence to identify and analyse problems fields of strength in over one hundred key research als of different origins, of varied cultural and social teachers and learners;
properly and to contribute to solving them. In re- areas in the faculties and is additionally boosting backgrounds and experiences meeting each other • considers capacity-oriented funding the neces-
search-led courses, students are taught cutting-edge them by setting up interfaculty research platforms and working together. The diversity of students and sary basis for improving the student-teacher
research and open-mindedness to future issues. and research networks together with faculty re- teachers is an important asset for the further de- ratio;
search centres. The Development Plan still does not velopment of research and teaching. The variety of • will adjust its administrative processes and
The innovation spectrum from basic research to specify key research areas for the entire University, research areas and academic doctrines should be support services even more than before to the
utilisation of research results is not a linear process but – from the University’s perspective – competi- reflected in the range of courses. requirements of teaching and the members of
with clearly defined ‘responsibilities’. Interaction tively acquired third-party funding, renowned re- the University.
with practice triggers important questions and pro- search awards and international research coopera- The University of Vienna supports its students on
vides stimuli for the further development of know- tion are an expression of strengths which can in- their way towards graduation so that they are pre-
ledge, and new issues for basic research can emerge creasingly be considered in the formation of special pared – as well-qualified, methodologically adept 2.3 The University of Vienna
from the application of research findings. Applica- focuses in future research. graduates who are able to think independently – for in Business and Society
tion-oriented research also plays a role in teaching the requirements of the world of work in general
and preparing graduates for their professional The University of Vienna and for the academic labour market. Society not only expects universities to carry out
career. Only if University and society embark on a • is committed to its historically developed diver- their tasks in research and teaching but also in-
process of open dialogue will solutions to the major sity and regards this as a resource for top-quality A university-based study requires a high degree of creasingly to intensify their ‘social commitment’
challenges of our time be found. This will create the research and teaching; self-organisation and perseverance from students. (the Third Mission). An open, democratic society
required innovative drive to enable participation in • is also committed – alongside its obligation of It aims to demand and encourage students’ perso- and its power of innovation depend to a consider-
the next development step of the industrial revolu- acquiring academic knowledge – to contributing nal development. The University seeks to guarantee able extent on the educational attainments of its
tion, ‘Industry 4.0’, for instance. to the solution of the major societal challenges that full-time students complete their studies with- population; highly qualified university graduates
through its research activities; in the standard duration of the degree programme; are essential for the competitiveness of a particular
The University of Vienna is committed to addres- • is aware of the necessity to encourage the resolute reconciliation of work and care obligations while location.
sing the challenges of the current EU Framework observation of ethical principles and to oblige studying part-time is, as far as possible, supported
Programme Horizon 2020, which aims to impact its members to commit to the principles of good by providing flexible teaching formats. Also because of the added value created by the Uni-
on society even more than previous framework academic practice; versity of Vienna – some € 1.1 billion a year – and
programmes and which – in particular in the Socie- • is committed in its research activities to in- In addition, students should have the possibility to in its capacity as one of the largest employers in
tal Challenges pillar – requires the solving of com- creasingly entering into dialogue with business select special emphases during their studies. This Vienna, the University of Vienna plays a major role
plex current problems by the adoption of research and society as well as taking on an active role in requires the available teaching resources to be used in our city and has a decisive impact on the quality
approaches from different perspectives. The histori- the exploitation of research findings; carefully because sufficient funds and personnel of this location. In this respect, the University of
cally developed wide range of subject areas is a par- • is committed to critically analysing its strengths need to be ensured for compulsory subjects be- Vienna sees itself as an international university
ticular strength of the University of Vienna, which and weaknesses as a prerequisite for quality in fore elective courses are set up. In the current fund- which aims to be visible worldwide with its research
– combined with openness to application and the research, teaching and study; ing situation, it is not possible to guarantee ideal achievements and attractive far beyond the Vienna
willingness to cooperate – guarantees its position • regards the development of its profile as an in- study conditions in all degree programmes. In some area with its range of courses. Thanks to this pro-
as an attractive partner in international research herent process of renewal and adaptation to areas, capacities – in terms of standard interna- file, the University of Vienna is an important driver
projects. changing conditions which help make the Uni- tional student-teacher ratios – have been exceeded. of innovation for the region, for Vienna and Cen-
versity’s identity recognisable both internally and tral Europe.
To give the University a distinctive profile is an im- in the world outside. From the beginning and throughout their studies,
portant precondition for attracting talented stu- students are supported with information and ad- The University of Vienna
dents, committed and excellent employees, as well vice, the services should be geared to the needs of • is an interesting and attractive cooperation part-
as sufficient financial resources. As part of defining 2.2 Studying at the the students – administrative processes need to be ner for business and society owing to high-qua-
its profile, the University is therefore obliged to re- University of Vienna improved continuously. lity basic research;
flect critically on its strengths and weaknesses in • regards the transfer of knowledge to business and
order to enhance its competitive capability at the It is one of the core tasks of a university to pass on The University of Vienna society as an important task which complements
international level. At the University of Vienna, knowledge to its students and to act as a place of • is committed to the principle of research-led its core tasks of research and teaching;
the research profile is developed on the basis of the learning. In more than 180 degree programmes, the teaching as a part of its profile; • aims to foster continuing academic education
research performance of individuals and smaller University of Vienna provides an opportunity for • sees high value in the diversity of subjects provid- and training in the sense of lifelong learning;
groups of academics in a competitive process and its students to acquire knowledge and methodolo- ed as part of its degree programmes, and aims to • will continue to demonstrate, through its com-
by the integration of external view-points. Through gical core competences as well as to process what develop new programmes that are attractive to munications, the importance of academic know-
dialogue with the international academic commu- they have learnt in the course of their studies and in prospective Austrian and international students ledge for all spheres of life and work as well as for
nity, with business and society, a major impetus is the form of academic work under the guidance of by interlinking academic disciplines and forming economic and social developments.
channelled into the development of the research academics. special focuses;
profile. Major aspects of this profile are interdisci- • offers courses which are continually subjected to
plinary cooperation based on highly qualified dis- quality control;
10 11
2.4 The Internationality 2.5 Autonomy, Competition and
of the University Cooperation as the University’s
Principles of Configuration
Research leads to insights with a validity that is not
limited to individual regions or states. Knowledge is University autonomy, which was created by the
international. From the tradition and self-image of 2002 Universities Act and is also far-reaching in
the University of Vienna there comes the objective comparison with other European countries, has
of being an internationally visible and attractive opened up new room for manoeuvre for universi-
university which can hold its own in the interna- ties and – in the opinion of the Austrian Science
tional competition for staff, students and research Council – has also contributed to a marked im-
funds and is seen as a stable, attractive partner in provement in performance. Of key importance here
cooperation projects. Here internationalisation is is the autonomous specification of the research
not an end in itself for the University of Vienna but profile, degree programmes and study contents. The
rather an instrument of comprehensively conceived organisational autonomy makes it possible to de-
quality assurance and for increasing the quality of sign the internal structure based on academic as-
research and teaching. pects and also to respond flexibly to new societal
and political challenges. The financial autonomy, in
The University of Vienna is committed to its local turn, enables the University itself, within a three-
roots as well as its international orientation. Accor- year global budget that is negotiated as part of the
dingly, its academics publish in languages approp- performance agreement with the Federal Govern-
riate to their respective academic fields in the inter- ment, to define its own ways of meeting general ob-
national context in order to guarantee international jectives that have been defined jointly with the Fed-
visibility. The international orientation is propagat- eral Government. Staff autonomy, particularly re-
ed by its employees and students, and manifests garding appointments to professorships and tenure
itself through their participation in the interna- track positions, is also decisive for the University’s
tional competition for resources. The composition international competitiveness.
of its staff and student body is also highly interna-
tional. But it also participates successfully in interna- Autonomy is a term which – in addition to being
tional research programmes and boosts its students’ applied to the relationship between the University
international orientation. Finally, publications in and the Federal Government – also implies that it is
internationally recognised journals and books as passed on appropriately within the University itself
well as the impact of research achievements pub- as part of a culture of reconcilability. And auton-
lished by scholars at the University of Vienna, which omy implies responsibility and accountability to-
is also expressed in particular in citations, demons- wards society.
trate that the University has gained in international Vienna is strengthening its efforts to attract motivated chances of career advancement within the Univer-
visibility in recent years while enhancing its quality In a similar way to the question of the balance be- bachelor’s and diploma students by implementing sity are provided by the University.
and reputation, which is an ongoing process. tween university autonomy and the safeguarding of an introductory and orientation period during the
the state’s interests, there is also the question of the first semester of each bachelor’s programme, with In the future, research will depend on additional
The University of Vienna relationship between competition and cooperation the aim of enhancing opportunities to complete the external funding even more than in the past. Due
• regards its international orientation as a major within and between universities. programme successfully within an appropriate pe- to the international peer review associated with
resource for cooperation and competition; riod of time. At the same time, the University of this process, applying for external research funding
• actively strives to establish new cooperation sche- The emergence of the European Education Area as Vienna is highly interested in further developing also constitutes an element of quality assurance.
mes with internationally attractive academic in- well as globalisation in education and research have national and international forms of cooperation The University of Vienna is already very success-
stitutions based on existing cooperative relation- increased the mobility of students as well as aca- in teaching that are beneficial to all partners and ful in the competition for resources provided by
ships between particular areas or individuals; demics. Universities are therefore competing more clearly improve the quality of the range of available the Austrian Science Fund (FWF); more resources
• is committed to further increasing the interna- than ever for the best students and excellent acade- degree programmes. for the FWF, which is still underfunded in compar
tional visibility of its achievements in research mic and administrative personnel at all levels. ison with Switzerland and Germany for example,
and teaching; The University of Vienna is seeking to offer its aca- are also necessary for competition under fair condi-
• regards the successful application for interna- Even though the high number of prospective stu- demic staff a sound academic environment, appro- tions. A gradual transition to full cost funding of its
tional third-party funds, particularly those from dents and the available capacity do not at present priate working conditions as well as the necessary re- projects would constitute an additional objective.
competitive EU research funding programmes, correspond in some areas of the University of Vi- sources, albeit supplemented by third-party funds. Based on the high research output of the Univer-
as an expression of its competitiveness; enna, it is one of the University’s major concerns to This and appropriate remuneration are important sity of Vienna’s academics and aided by the support
• continues to promote internationalisation in attract students with a high level of motivation and for attracting and retaining academic employees. structures that have been established and now need
terms of personnel and students; commitment, especially for its master’s program- The University of Vienna competes with the busi- to be developed further, it can be expected that
• is committed to linguistic diversity in academic mes (also as a link to doctoral studies) and for its ness sphere and the administration for committed the series of successes in the acquisition of ERC
communication as an expression of its open at- doctoral programmes. This means that the Univer- administrative staff equipped with the competences grants can be continued. In the area of EU funding,
titude towards the globalisation of science and sity of Vienna is competing for prospective students required by an autonomous university in a difficult new challenges arise due to the Horizon 2020 pro-
education. and aims to be attractive in their competition for economic environment. In order to be able to meet gramme.
study places. Simultaneously, the University of this challenge, good working conditions and better
12 13
Owing to the wide range of degree programmes 2.6 The University Members and their place of learning. At the same time, research and 2.7 E
qual Opportunities for
and research topics in the university sector it is vital Contribution to the Joint Shaping teaching benefit from the contributions and ideas all Members of the University
to strike the right balance between competition and of the University’s Future of the students. The degree programmes of the Uni-
cooperation. Therefore the University of Vienna co- versity of Vienna are currently in great demand, Students and employees of the University of Vi-
operates in research and teaching with universities The University sees itself as a community of acade- and this underlines their attractiveness. However, enna form a community of individuals of different
and non-university research institutions in the Vi- mic and general staff as well as students. The ful- because of excessive student enrolment it is not age and gender, as well as divergent social and geo-
enna metropolitan area and beyond. filment of the University’s tasks in research and possible to provide ideal study conditions in all graphic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.
teaching is ensured by the best possible joint efforts fields of study. In some areas, the available fundable They are characterised by different life situations,
Cooperation schemes with businesses and other ex- of these groups. capacities have been greatly exceeded. It is one goal experiences, views and competences. This diversity
ternal partners need to be expanded for the benefit of the University of Vienna to further enhance the is seen as an advantage and guarantee for teaching
of both sides. This community is of vital importance for the study conditions in teaching and the administration to be attractive and research competitive. But the
University’s success in research and teaching. The of studies. Here, the University of Vienna, with 30 % diversity also needs to be cultivated and taken into
Within the University, the allocation of funds based commitment and performance of its members re- of all the students in Austria, but only 15 % of the consideration as far as the distribution of opportu-
on performance and success criteria has proved its present decisive prerequisites for an attractive and overall government budget for this sector, is faced nities within the University is concerned. The prin-
worth. Another complementary criterion could be competitive university, which is why their satisfac- with a daunting task. In order to achieve sustain- ciple of equality of opportunity in all areas of the
cooperation with external partners and its expect- tion with their immediate and institutional work able improvements in teaching and supervision, the University needs to be applied here. This also refers
ed impact. ing environment is of major importance. Without University needs considerably more funding. to the application of teaching and examination
the extraordinary commitment of its employees, methods which take into account the individual
The University of Vienna the University would not be able to fulfil its tasks The University of Vienna continually monitors possibilities of students with disabilities. Various
• regards the maintenance and further develop- under the current financial conditions. Their loyalty the employability of its graduates. In teaching, the information and training formats aim to inform
ment of university autonomy as a major prere to ‘their’ University and ‘their’ academic discipline University’s key objectives are to allow students teachers about these possibilities.
quisite for reaching its objectives; represents an indispensable success factor which to pursue their studies without delay and provide
• strives to further improve its competitive position cannot be valued highly enough. This identification high-quality content. Furthermore the University University members treat one another with mutual
in the national and international comparison of with the University and its tasks is the basis for a seeks to position its graduates successfully on the respect and understanding of each other’s differ-
research universities; it calls on policy-makers to participation which is aimed at jointly shaping the national and international labour markets. Gradu- ences. They avoid any behaviour which runs coun-
support the University in this process and gra- future of the University and which is characterised ates who remain in contact with the University as ter to this principle.
dually reach the objective of providing 2 % of the by dialogue as well as joint problem-solving. Mech alumni/alumnae are a good indicator of the suc-
GDP for tertiary education by 2020 – an objec- anisms of in-house communication create ways cessful implementation of these principles. In recent years, women have increasingly partici-
tive which has been set out several times but also for the expert knowledge of the University’s mem- pated in many areas of research and teaching at the
postponed repeatedly by the political sector in bers to be integrated and considered in decision- The University of Vienna University. Nevertheless the objective of raising the
the past; making processes while striking the right balance • regards as a major objective the improvement of participation and the share of women in many areas
• promotes the acquisition of competitive third- between broad participation in the preparatory working conditions which plays a key role in en- as well as ensuring a gender-sensitive approach in
party funds as a necessary element of financial phase and efficiency in the final stage of decision- hancing the satisfaction of employees; research, teaching and administration continues to
resources provided by the state but also as a stim- making processes. The focus is on taking informed • seeks, through constant improvement in its be among the University’s most important princip-
ulus to improve research: in this vein it will and sound decisions rather than adhering to for- teaching and study conditions, to raise the level les of configuration. Creating appropriate frame-
further develop in-house support structures to mal procedures; in this connection the role of fac- of satisfaction among the students and increase work conditions so that professional careers or
plan, attract, manage and bring third-party-fund- ulty, centre and studies conferences has now been the chances of success in their studies. At the studies can be better reconciled with family-related
ed projects to account; strengthened in the latest Organisation Plan of the same time students are expected to be aware of tasks is an objective from which women and men
• is committed to competition within the Univer- University of Vienna, following a comprehensive their own responsibilities and to use the available can and should benefit equally.
sity as an instrument to adequately allocate its evaluation of the organisational structure. resources efficiently;
resources; • benefits from the knowledge and commitment of The University of Vienna
• cooperates with international and national edu- The University is also a place of lifelong learning its staff and regards the participation of its mem- • regards the diversity of staff and students as an
cational institutions in the field of teaching with for its staff. It creates the framework conditions to bers in evidence-based consultation processes as opportunity and potential for the development of
the objective of further improving the quality of enable advantage to be taken of the associated op- necessary and welcome support for the decision- the University;
its degree programmes; portunities and make the University, in this respect making by its governing bodies; • is committed to the principle of equal opportu-
• is willing to cooperate in the field of research too, a forward-looking place of work. • is committed to the principle of lifelong learning nities;
with universities in Austria and abroad but also for all the University’s members and creates the • strives to guarantee a climate of respect for dif-
with non-university institutions, in particular The University is an expert organisation. This im- prerequisites for its implementation; ferences and diversity among all members of the
with the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). plies that many of its staff are experts in solving • considers the establishment of an enduring rela- University;
• strives to improve cooperation with indust- internal problems as researchers in their specific tionship with its students and graduates as im- • strives to eliminate any objective disadvantages
rial and services enterprises as well as intensify fields. It also implies that the principles to be ap- portant for the University’s further development; and to reduce subjective prejudices, while taking
knowledge transfer. plied in the academic world should also be the • regards itself as an expert organisation striving to active measures against any direct or indirect
guiding principles in the running of the University. use scientific reasoning also as a means to solve forms of discrimination;
This is what makes the University an extraordinary problems not directly connected to science. • undertakes target group-oriented measures to
place of work. improve the equality of opportunity for staff and
students who belong to disadvantaged minorities;
The students play an equally central role for the Uni- • emphasises the importance of gender equality
versity. It is one of the core tasks of the University and the necessity to increase, wherever necessary
to pass on knowledge to students and to act as a and possible, the number of women and their
14 15
participation in all spheres of the University;
• improves the opportunities of female academics
to successfully pursue an academic career, parti-
cularly in the postdoctoral phase until their
appointment as professors;
• is committed to the urgent task of creating proper
working conditions for employees with home-
care obligations.
2.8 Quality Assurance
The highest quality in research and research-led
teaching is the primary objective of the University
of Vienna. Quality assurance is an inherent task of
all university members, irrespective of whether or
not special instruments are available for the spe-
cific purpose. The reflection and agreement on what
constitutes quality in research and teaching and ad-
ministration, self-assessment of their own perfor-
mance, and continuous striving for improvement
are established practice at the University of Vienna.
The processes applied at the University of Vienna
in research, teaching and administration are ori-
ented towards international quality standards. It is
in this vein that the quality assurance system of the
University implements a number of evaluation
procedures, such as: the periodic evaluations of all
faculties, centres and service units in the form of a
comprehensive evaluation, feedback mechanisms
for students, continuous improvement of the as-
sessment of research and publication achievements,
and also quality assurance in the process of hiring
new staff, especially with regard to the recruitment
and appointment of professors and tenure track
academic staff. The University of Vienna sees the
compulsory audit of its in-house quality assurance
system (quality audit) and related results as an
opportunity for development and improvement.
The University of Vienna
• understands quality assurance as a task and
concern of all the University’s members;
• continuously develops its quality assurance
system and the related processes, taking into
account experiences with existing instruments,
recommendations from the quality audit and
international developments in the field of quality
assurance;
• regards the findings of quality assurance as the
basis of its decision-making and allocation
processes;
• will continue to use specific quality indicators
that have been developed for the administrative
sector to achieve continuous improvement in
all processes.
16 173. Starting Point
3.1 R
esearch at the But the University of Vienna has also been very
University of Vienna successful at the national level. Since 2005, 19
START Prizes have been awarded by the Austrian
The University of Vienna is a highly visible univer- Science Fund (FWF) to academics of the University
sity with a strong research profile, and it has to cope of Vienna, and as many as five of these in the develop-
with the special challenge of delivering top research ment planning period 2012–2015. These prizes,
achievements under enormous budgetary con- each of which is worth up to € 1.5 million, are
straints. The comparison with other internationally awarded to top young researchers of all disciplines
renowned universities makes this sufficiently clear. with the goal of setting up a working group. To-
On top of that, the University also has to face the gether with the 76 Elise Richter and Hertha Firn-
fact that in some disciplines it is a ‘mass’ univer- berg positions that have been funded since 2005,
sity with all the consequences for its research and these national funds make an essential contribution
teaching that result from this situation. to the career development of young academics with
excellent qualifications at the University of Vienna.
The improvement in research performance is evi-
denced not only but especially by the steadily in- Academic prizes and grants for young scholars
creasing number of renowned research awards con-
ERC grants 29
ferred on scholars of the University of Vienna. As
START Prizes 19
many as 29 of the distinguished ERC grants, for ex-
Wittgenstein Awards 3
ample, which have been conferred since 2007 by
Elise Richter Programme 41
the European Research Council in a highly com-
Hertha Firnberg Programme 35
petitive procedure, were acquired by academics of
the University of Vienna. In comparison, at the be- Table 1: Number of academic prizes conferred on academics of the
University of Vienna and highly competitive grants for young scholars
ginning of the previous development planning pro- acquired between 2005 and 2014. ERC grants are a programme cate-
cess in 2011 they had been awarded 17 further ERC gory that was newly introduced under the 7th EU Framework Program-
me and continued in Horizon 2020 with the objective of promoting
grants. As well as the reputation associated with the outstanding and pioneering basic research. Due to their selection
awards, which leads to significant international vis procedure and high funding volume, ERC grants are considered the
most distinguished academic prizes of the EU. The Wittgenstein Award
ibility for the award winners and their institutions, is Austria’s highest science award. With the START Programme, the FWF
the projects – each of which has a budget of up to helps top young researchers of all disciplines set up a working group.
The Elise Richter and Hertha Firnberg Programmes are career develop-
€ 2.5 million – make a considerable contribution to ment programmes for female academics with excellent qualifications.
the third-party funding of the University of Vienna.
The 29 ERC grants, for example, have a total ap-
proved project volume of approximately € 42.3 mil-
lion. The ERC grants have been conferred on acade-
mics who are active in many different subject areas
ranging from life sciences and quantum physics to
mathematics and the humanities. The University of
Vienna is confident that it can continue to exploit
its potential in the field of ERC accordingly.
18 19The number and budget of third-party funds ac- cessfully acquired EU projects in which up to 30 Cooperation projects ranked by citations per publication 2008-2013
quired in competition with other Austrian and for- international partner institutions are involved also (top 20 institutions with at least 30 joint publications)
eign universities and research institutions testify to constitute good benchmarks for the integration of Duke Univ 64.6
the success and competitiveness of the University. the University of Vienna’s researchers into networks
Johns Hopkins Univ 61.9
In the field of third-party funds, research funding in the European Research Area. In the future, not
competitively acquired in FWF and EU program- only because of the clear underfunding of the FWF Univ Alberta 59.9
mes in particular was further increased in compa- in comparison with international sources of fund- Univ Glasgow 57.3
rison with the previous development-planning pe- ing, the EU’s third-party funded projects will be-
Univ Sydney 57.2
riod (FWF) or stabilised at a high level (EU). Suc- come increasingly important.
Univ Sys Maryland 56
Inserm 55.9
Development of third-party funding in € m
Hebrew Univ Jerusalem 52.9
100 Univ Leeds 52.5
Tel Aviv Univ 51.4
80 77 77
70
66 Univ Birmingham 51.4
60
Cornell Univ 50.2
38 41
40 33 35 University of North Carolina 50
Univ Penn 45.9
20 13 13 Total
9 11
FWF Natl Inst Hlth (Nih) – USA 45.7
0,0 EU
Univ Calif Davis 43.9
2010 2011 2012 2013
US Dept Hlth Human Services 43.4
Diagram 1: Development of third-party funding according to the Wissensbilanz (intellectual capital report) in € million.
Univ Liege 42.5
Univ Milan 40.6
The visibility of a research university is manifest Univ Minnesota 39.4
not only in its participation in international pro-
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
jects but also particularly in the cooperation sche-
mes it enters into with other renowned national Diagram 2: Cooperation projects of the University of Vienna with other institutions ranked by the average number of citations of joint publications
and international research institutions. As shown (‘average cites per document’) in the Web of Science for the period 2008 to 2013. Institutions with at least 30 joint publications were ranked. Source:
Web of Science, as of September 2014.
by a graphic presentation of cooperation projects in
Diagram 3, there are strong links to the universities
in the Vienna area (especially to the Medical Uni-
versity of Vienna, the Vienna University of Techno-
logy, and the University of Natural Resources and
Life Sciences, Vienna). In addition, the academics
cooperate and publish jointly with colleagues from
distinguished international establishments such as
Duke University, the Johns Hopkins University and
the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche
Médicale (INSERM) in France, all of which are
cited very often, which further underlines the aca-
demic reputation of researchers at the University of
Vienna (see Diagram 2).
Diagram 3: Graphic presentation of cooperation projects entered into by the University of Vienna for the year 2013, based on the documents listed
in the Web of Science with affiliation to the University of Vienna and other national and international institutions. The bigger the dot, the more joint
publications were listed in 2013 in the Web of Science. National cooperation schemes are violet, European ones red, cooperation projects with China
yellow, and cooperation schemes with the USA green. Source: Web of Science, as of September 2014.
20 21Based on the number of publications it is possible, psychology, parts of the social sciences, business
at any rate, to deduce the extent of academic acti- and economics –, it covers only incompletely areas
vity, even though the numbers do not reflect the where publication in renowned publishing houses
quality dimension. The Web of Science shows for and series can often be used as a quality label for
the last few years that the publication activities of book publications, and contributions to edited
academics at the University of Vienna are still on volumes as a sign of international cooperation.
a very high level (cf. Diagram 4). Consequently these figures reflect only a part of the
research performance of the University of Vienna.
In this context it needs to be considered that – al- Scientometric analyses can never provide more
though the Web of Science covers a high share of than an indication as to the standing of a university
articles published in the sciences (including mathe- or a discipline.
matics, statistics and computer science), medicine,
Publications in the Web of Science
2,600
2,491
2,500 2,475
2,457
2,400
2,311
2,300
2,249
2,215
2,200
2,100
2,000
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Diagram 4: Number of publications in the Web of Science with affiliation to the University of
Vienna. Source: Web of Science (Thomson Reuters), data as of September 2014.
The research output of the University’s academics a university which boasts a wide range of subjects,
also has an impact on its position in international and it creates a distorted picture in the public. Nev- Research platforms: Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astro-
rankings designed for institutions of higher educa- ertheless, in some of its areas of strength the Uni- • Ethics and Law in Medicine (Faculty of Protes- nomy)
tion. The University of Vienna is the only Austrian versity of Vienna is among the best 50 in the world tant Theology; Faculty of Catholic Theology; • Religion and Transformation in Contemporary
university which is among the top 200 universities in subject-specific rankings, but this hardly plays a Faculty of Law; in cooperation with the Medical European Society (Faculty of Catholic Theology;
in the world in internationally visible rankings such role in public discussions. Multidimensional rank- University of Vienna) Faculty of Protestant Theology; Faculty of Law;
as the ranking of the ‘best’ universities worldwide ings such as U-Multirank, which is funded by the • Gödel Research Center (Faculty of Mathematics) Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies;
which is published by the British magazine Times European Commission, paint a more realistic pic- • Life-Science-Governance (Faculty of Social Sci- Faculty of Philosophy and Education; Faculty of
Higher Education Supplement on a yearly basis ture based on a wide spectrum of factors. How- ences; Centre for Molecular Biology) Social Sciences)
(THES World University Rankings) and the Acade- ever, the results of the first ranking which appeared • Computational Science Center (Faculty of • Cognitive Science (Faculty of Philosophy and
mic Ranking of World Universities published by the in 2014 also show clearly the difficult situation of Mathematics; Faculty of Computer Science) Education; Faculty of Historical and Cultural
Shanghai Jiao Tong University. It is therefore per- Austrian universities in the fields of studies and • Translational Cancer Therapy Research (Faculty Studies; Faculty of Psychology; Faculty of Life
ceived as an institution well beyond the borders of teaching and reveal the investment required. of Chemistry; in cooperation with the Medical Sciences; Centre for Translation Studies)
Austria. In the latest THES rankings for the period University of Vienna) • Active Ageing (Faculty of Life Sciences; Centre
2014–2015, the University of Vienna holds 182nd As shown in chapter 4.2.1 ‘The Further Develop- • Decoding mRNA Decay in Inflammation (Cen- for Sport Science and University Sports)
place; in the latest Shanghai ranking, the University ment of the University’s Research Profile’, the es- tre for Molecular Biology; Faculty of Chemistry) • Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for
is among the best 151-200. With the exception of tablishment of research platforms represents an im- • Alternative Solvents as a Basis for Life Sup- Mathematical Physics (Faculty of Mathematics;
the top ranks, the positioning in rankings is very portant measure to support interdisciplinary re- porting Zones in (Exo)Planetary Systems Faculty of Physics)
unstable and reacts sensitively to the slightest vari- search cooperation within the University of Vienna (Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astro- • European Integration Research (Faculty of So-
ations in the indicators used; this means that, at and thus for the development of its research profile. nomy; Faculty of Physics) cial Sciences; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Business,
most, a university’s position in a larger group rather At the time this Development Plan was approved, • Characterisation of Drug Involved Mechanisms Economics and Statistics; Faculty of Historical
than its precise position in this group therefore the following research platforms have been set up (Faculty of Life Sciences; Faculty of Chemistry) and Cultural Studies)
plays a role. For this and other reasons, all rank- (ranked by the date they were established): • Vienna Eastern Europe Forum (Faculty of His- • Mobile Cultures and Societies (Faculty of Phi-
ings which attempt to reduce universities – or en- torical and Cultural Studies; Faculty of Catholic lological and Cultural Studies; Faculty of Social
tire ranges of subjects – to sheer numbers should Theology; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Philological Sciences)
be questioned critically. This does not do justice to and Cultural Studies; Faculty of Social Sciences;
22 23• Elfriede Jelinek: Texts – Contexts – Reception • Gender and Agency (Faculty of Social Sciences; In the winter semester of 2013/14 some 14,700 new has entered into 60, mostly bilateral individual
(Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Historical and Cultural students were admitted to the University of Vi- agreements with universities outside the EU, as part
Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies; Studies; Faculty of Philological and Cultural enna, 65 % of whom were beginners. Measured by of which a total of about 210 incoming and 140 out-
Faculty of Social Sciences) Studies; Faculty of Philosophy and Education; the total number of students (92,041), the share of going mobility stays of students are held every year.
• Quantum Phenomena and Nanoscale Biological Faculty of Life Sciences) women was 63 %. In the academic year 2012/13,
Systems (Centre for Molecular Biology; Faculty • Chemistry meets Microbiology (Faculty of Life 71 % of the approximately 12,600 degrees were ob- The number of degree programme students has
of Physics) Sciences; Faculty of Chemistry) tained by women. risen sharply in recent years. Whereas in the win-
• Marine Rhythms of Life (Centre for Molecu- ter semester of 2006/07 a total of 67,371 students
lar Biology; Faculty of Chemistry; Faculty of Life It can be said that in spite of difficult framework The University of Vienna enjoys international de- were admitted, this number increased to 87,880 in
Sciences) conditions the University of Vienna has been able mand and is part of a greater network: in the win- the winter semester of 2013/14. This amounts to an
• Global African Diaspora Studies Platform at least to maintain and sometimes even improve ter semester of 2013/14, students at the University increase of 30.4 %. When comparing the number of
(Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies; its position in the international research landscape. of Vienna came from 138 countries; the share of enrolled degree programmes at the level of degree
Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies) To be able to further maintain its position in the in- foreign students was 27.8 %, which is an extremely programme groups, very distinct increases can be
• Responsible Research and Innovation in Acade- ternational competition, the University of Vienna high value, again by international comparison. In found in certain cases (cf. Table 2). Particular men-
mic Practice (Faculty of Social Sciences; Faculty does require funding that stands up to international the academic year 2013/14, the University acted as tion must be made of the rise in enrolled teacher
of Life Sciences) comparison (cf. Table 3 – comparison with Uppsala a sending institution for more than 1,100 students education programmes by 173 %. The University of
• Metabolomics School University of Vienna et al.). Only in this way will the University be able, in the ERASMUS programme and was the host in- Vienna is by far the largest Austrian establishment
(working title; Faculty of Life Sciences; Faculty of in the future, to attract excellent researchers and stitution for around 1,000 students who completed for teacher education.
Chemistry; Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography unfold its full potential in research. an exchange semester. Furthermore, the University
and Astronomy)
• Nano-Norms-Nature (Faculty of Philosophy and
Education; Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography 3.2 Study and Teaching Number of enrolled degree programmes by degree Winter semester Winter semester Change in
and Astronomy) at the University of Vienna programme group in the respective semester 2013/14 2006/07 per cent
Theology 1,040 1,045 −0.5 %
In addition, continuing especially successful re- In the winter semester of 2013/14 some 92,000 stu-
Law 13,159 9,982 +31.8 %
search platforms, the following research centres dents were admitted to degree and non-degree pro-
(cf. chapter 4.2.1 ‘The Further Development of the grammes at the University of Vienna. This makes Engineering Sciences (Computer Science) 1,172 686 +70.8 %
University’s Research Profile’) have been set up: it the largest educational establishment not only Social Sciences, Business and Economics 9,187 6,193 +48.3 %
in Austria, but in all German-speaking countries:
Arts and Humanities 50,798 47,427 +7.1 %
• Human Rights: Continuing the previous research At the largest German university, the LMU Mu-
platform ‘Human Rights in the European Con- nich, some 52,000 students are enrolled; at the lar- Natural Sciences 21,467 19,566 +9.7 %
text’ (Faculty of Law; Faculty of Business, Eco- gest Swiss university, the University of Zurich, some Teacher Education 13,245 4,849 +173.1 %
nomics and Statistics; Faculty of Philological and 26,000.
Table 2: Number of enrolled degree programmes by degree programme groups, data reporting of universities based on the University Studies
Cultural Studies; Faculty of Psychology; Faculty Evidence Act (UniStEV).
of Social Sciences), set up as a sub-unit of the The higher education forecast issued by the Fed-
Faculty of Law. eral Ministry of Science, Research and Economy
• CIRDIS – Center for Interdisciplinary Research (BMWFW) clearly reveals that, despite some de-
and Documentation of Inner and South Asian ficits due to incomplete data, student figures can Still almost 71 % of students are concentrated in ces more visible, has meanwhile also made itself felt
Cultural History: Continuing the previous re- be expected to continue to increase in Austria and only ten study programmes: Law; History; German in the field of laboratories, which are designed for
search platform with the same name (Faculty of therefore certainly also at the University of Vienna. Studies; Biology; Business, Economics and Statistics; considerably smaller student numbers.
Philological and Cultural Studies; Faculty of This growth is the result of a long-term increase in Philosophy; English and American Studies; Mass
Historical and Cultural Studies; Faculty of Earth the number of foreign students and an increase per Media and Communication Science; Psychology; In the performance agreement concluded with the
Sciences, Geography and Astronomy), set up as a year group in the proportion of qualified school- and Romance Studies.2 Federal Government for the period 2013–2015,
sub-unit of the Faculty of Philological and Cultur- leavers from upper secondary schools. This is in the University of Vienna has agreed it will at least
al Studies. sharp contrast to the sometimes expressed expec- Particularly in these programmes, this leads to stu- maintain existing student-teacher ratios, on the
tation that student figures will decrease in the fore- dent-teacher ratios which cannot bear comparison condition, however, that the number of students
Interdisciplinarity is also encouraged by research seeable future owing to demographic developments with leading universities in Europe in terms of ac- admitted to degree programmes who have taken
networks that are set up by way of agreements and the long-term decline in birth rates. ceptability. The legal regulation of access to some a certain number of examinations will not rise
between faculties and of which the following are bachelor’s or diploma programmes (such as Medi- further. In the draft for this performance agreement
active at present: With 54 bachelor’s, 116 master’s, 3 diploma and 13 cine, Psychology) also leads to shifts and increases concluded with the Federal Government the Uni-
doctoral programmes, the University of Vienna the influx into other programmes. versity of Vienna has identified an additional re-
• Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Earth offers the most comprehensive range of studies in quirement of some € 100 million per year to make
Sciences, Geography and Astronomy; Faculty of Austria in terms of numbers and subjects. In addi- The increase in the number of natural science pro- a lasting improvement in student-teacher ratios,
Chemistry; Faculty of Physics; Faculty of Life tion, the University of Vienna offers teacher educa- grammes and enrolled subjects in teacher educa- based on the first stage of teaching capacity-based
Sciences) tion programmes in 27 secondary school subjects. tion programmes, which is partly the result of ef- funding (see chapter 3.3 ‘The Financial Situation
forts to make studies in the natural and life scien- of the University of Vienna’).
1
Frank Landler (2010): Tertiäres Bildungssystem – quo vadis? Studierende, belegte Studien und Absolventen – Quantitative Entwicklungstendenzen der öster-
reichischen Universitäten und Fachhochschulen 1973–2030. Vienna: Austrian Academy of Sciences Press. 2
Number of students by directorate of studies (including teacher education programmes) in the winter semester of 2013/14.
24 25You can also read
