Anniversary: Three decades of Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
29.08.2024
30 years of learning, research and development: On September 6, Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences celebrates its anniversary with invited guests and a campus party for staff, students and alumni. On the occasion of its birthday, the FHV looks back on an impressive success story. Founded in 1989 as the association "Technikum Vorarlberg", it was renamed "Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences" in 1994 on the basis of the then newly passed University of Applied Sciences Act.
FHV Managing Director Stefan Fitz-Rankl: "At that time, there was a visionary initiative aimed at anchoring and expanding internationally recognised higher education in the region. This vision has been more than achieved. Today, we have around 7,000 alumni, have become a 'European University' and are also one of the strongest research universities of applied sciences in Austria."
Numerous milestones
The FHV can look back on numerous milestones, such as the continuous expansion to currently 25 study programs in the Departments of Engineering and Technology, Business and Management, Design and Work and Health. At the beginning there were around 50 students and today there are over 1500," explains FHV Rector Tanja Eiselen. "Other important steps were the consistent internationalization from 1997, the successive development of the research centres and groups, the start of cooperation with the 'Strong Partners' in 2014, the founding of the European University in 2020, right up to the structural extensions, which will soon be completed," adds Fitz-Rankl. Just in time for the celebrations, further buildings have been completed, which will be used for lecturers and offices in the future.
Governor Markus Wallner emphasizes: "The Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences enjoys an excellent reputation far beyond the state's borders. On the one hand, it is a first-class training center for skilled workers, where future-oriented and urgently needed personnel are trained. On the other hand, the FHV is the leading research partner for local Business and Management: with a record research volume and a strong involvement of Vorarlberg companies and organizations. We can only congratulate it on its remarkable development over three decades - the state continues to stand firmly behind its university of applied sciences."
European University
Since 2020, the FHV has been a founding member of the European university alliance RUN-EU (Regional European Network-European University). As part of this long-term cooperation, the international Students Week and the RUN-EU General Assembly will take place in the week from September 2 to 6. "We are looking forward to welcoming an international audience to our premises. The week is an intensive working week for all employees of the partner universities, which serves the further development and institutionalization of RUN-EU.
The students can expect an exciting program with numerous courses dealing with trend topics such as AI or sustainability. They will develop solutions for the current challenges of our time. We also offer a varied cultural program to show them Vorarlberg at its best," says FHV Managing Director Fitz-Rankl looking ahead and emphasizes: "The planning and implementation of this major event is only possible thanks to the commitment of numerous dedicated FHV employees and a big thank you to everyone involved."
Meet the region
As part of the "Meet the Region" event during the week of the event, the program includes getting to know the Vorarlberg location and networking between students and university partners with Vorarlberg companies and stakeholders. The associated RUN-EU partners include the state of Vorarlberg, WISTO, the Vorarlberg Federation of Industry and the CampusVäre. State Governor Barbara Schöbi-Fink concludes: "As a founding member of RUN-EU, Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is proud to play a central role in the development of this unique European university alliance. The international General Assembly Week and the 30th anniversary of the FHV offer an ideal opportunity to actively shape the future of education and research in a European context and to further expand the strong network with our partner universities. This collaboration enables us to provide our students and staff with valuable international experience and skills that are invaluable in the global job market." Click here for the history and chronicle of the FHV.
