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Regulatory framework conditionsWhen the Fachhochschule Studies Act (Fachhochschul-Studiengesetz; FHStG as amended) entered into force on 1 October 1993, a control mechanism that was innovative for the Austrian higher education system was created, which provides excellent conditions for setting up and expanding the Austrian FH sector. In order to give higher-education institutions institutional autonomy vis-à-vis the government, the relationship between government and higher-education institutions was also remodelled.
The educational framework conditions on which the FHStG is based are characterised by the following features:
- The monopoly of the state as provider of higher education was abolished and the institutions were given greater autonomy to organise themselves;
- Redistribution of the rights of disposal due to the private form of organisation of the course-providing bodies and, consequently, more independence, responsibility and flexibility for the education providers;
- Decentralisation of the decision-making processes, i.e. the relevant decisions are made where most of the knowledge and information is pooled;
- The tasks of the state were limited to external quality assurance (FH Council) and financing.
Within the regulatory framework conditions, the Austrian FH sector is being set up and expanded in co-operation with official top-down control and private bottom-up initiative. Education in Fachhochschulen is not offered by transforming existing institutions but by accrediting new degree programmes. |
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