On 1 April 2026, FH JOANNEUM took over the chairmanship of the Styrian University Conference (SHK). Within the SHK, Styrian universities and higher education institutions work together to further strengthen Styria as a centre for science and higher education, to exploit synergies and to drive forward joint initiatives in teaching, research and knowledge transfer.
In terms of content, several key topics are on the agenda during the chairmanship: one focus is on the EU AI Act and its implementation in the higher education sector. This involves a joint analysis of where Styrian higher education institutions stand in implementing the requirements, what organisational, legal and pedagogical challenges arise, and how these can be addressed in a coordinated manner. Another priority is existing and future training programmes in the field of artificial intelligence – particularly with a view to potential joint, participatory formats within the higher education network. Furthermore, the expansion of the Southern Austrian higher education region will be driven forward, for instance by intensifying cooperation with the Carinthian higher education region. The aim is to pool regional strengths and identify common areas for development in research and teaching. The further development and implementation of the higher education strategy up to 2040 will also be on the agenda.
Corinna Engelhardt-Nowitzki, Rector (FH) of FH JOANNEUM: “By taking the chair of the Styrian Higher Education Conference, we aim to further strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions and provide targeted impetus for key future-oriented topics.” Together with FH JOANNEUM, the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz and the University of Graz currently form the Executive Committee of the SHK. Georg Schulz, Rector of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz: “The traditionally excellent cooperation within the Styrian Higher Education Conference is characterised precisely by the fact that – as with the topic of artificial intelligence, for example – we view shared challenges from very different perspectives, thereby benefiting from one another and developing a holistic view.” Peter Riedler, Rector of the University of Graz, emphasises: “Styrian higher education institutions have been linked by close and trusting cooperation for many years. Through coordinated cooperation, Styrian higher education institutions create the best possible framework conditions for research, teaching and innovation. And this gives us a head start even beyond the region’s borders when it comes to engaging in constructive dialogue and further consolidating existing partnerships – particularly with a view to the ongoing development of the Higher Education Strategy 2040 for Austria.”
As part of its chairmanship, FH JOANNEUM will also host the higher education institutions’ meeting, which will take place at FH JOANNEUM on 1 July 2026. During this event, participants in the two SHK programmes, ‘eDidactics’ and ‘Didactics Workshop’, will receive their certificates.