New Academic Board for USTP

USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten has elected  Gerda Füricht-Fiegl as the new Chairperson of its Academic Board. Together with Vice Chairperson Johannes Pflegerl, she will help shape the university’s development over the next three years. The Board is the statutory body responsible for the further development of teaching, research, and internationalisation at the university.

USTP combines application-oriented teaching and research with strong partnerships in industry and society as well as close European networks. In her new role, Gerda Füricht-Fiegl will, amongst other things, represent the academic staff externally, assign teaching assignments, award academic degrees, submit proposals for the appointment of teaching and research staff, and commission and oversee quality assurance procedures. Together with the Board, the degree programmes, and the Executive Directors, she will also drive forward the strategic development of study programmes and teaching.

Shaping the Future of USTP Together

The focus is on forward-looking degree programmes, high quality standards, and a learning environment that supports students in realising their potential and helping to shape social and technological change. Other key priorities include the expansion of application-oriented research, positioning USTP as the coordinator of the European University E³UDRES², and the systematic expansion of international collaborations.

“I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the members of the Board. I look forward to working alongside the Board and the Executive Directors to help shape the future success of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences,” said Gerda Füricht-Fiegl following her election as Chairperson of the Board.

Excellence in Teaching as a Shared Commitment

USTP creates an environment in which people can realise their potential. This is underpinned by excellent teaching, the continuous development of degree programmes, and the close links between research, professional practice, and international exchange.

“We cordially congratulate Gerda Füricht-Fiegl and Johannes Pflegerl on their election and look forward to working with them. Close coordination between the Board and the university management is essential for the continuous further development of study programmes and teaching at USTP. Together, we create the framework conditions for high-quality teaching, innovative study programmes, and a learning environment in which students can develop their skills and actively shape their future,” emphasise Executive Directors Johann Haag and Hannes Raffaseder.

Thank You Alois Frotschnig

With the end of his term of office, Alois Frotschnig hands over the leadership of the Board and goes into retirement. Since his election in 2020, he has shaped the university’s academic development and provided important impulses for study and teaching.

His mandate has seen, amongst other things, the further development of USTP’s portfolio of degree programme and continuing education programmes, the strengthening of quality assurance in studying and teaching, the introduction of guidelines on academic integrity and generative AI, and significant initiatives to promote internationalisation and academic career paths at the USTP.

“On behalf of the entire university, we would like to thank Alois Frotschnig for his great dedication, his constructive collaboration, and his contribution to the further development of our USTP. With his many years of experience and his commitment to innovative teaching and learning concepts, he has left a lasting mark on the university,” says the Executive Directors.

Credits: Isabell Wiesinger

About the Board

The Board is the statutory academic body of USTP. It is responsible for the organisation of teaching and examination procedures as well as for ensuring and further developing the quality of study programmes and teaching. Through its work, the Board creates the conditions necessary for study programmes to evolve continuously, for new ideas to be incorporated into teaching, and for students to acquire the skills they need to help shape social and technological change.

Read more about the Board

About the Person: Gerda Füricht-Fiegl

Gerda Füricht-Fiegl is a political scientist and expert on European integration and political communication. After holding various positions in press and public relations at the European Parliament and the European Commission, she moved into academia. Among other roles, she worked at the University for Continuing Education Krems where she headed study programmes in the field of political communication. Most recently, she was a professor and programme director at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, as well as Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation.

At USTP, she will play a key role in the university’s academic development by heading the Board.

About the Person: Johannes Pflegerl

Johannes Pflegerl is a sociologist, university lecturer, and social researcher with many years’ experience in the fields of social work, ageing research, and social inclusion. He studied sociology and history at the University of Vienna and at Manchester Metropolitan University, and obtained his PhD in sociology from the University of Vienna. Following his role as a research assistant at the Austrian Institute for Family Research (1995–2005), he moved on to USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten where he has been a lecturer since 2003. Since 2016, he has headed the Ilse Arlt Institute for Social Inclusion Research and has been Deputy Head of the Department of Social Sciences since 2020. His research and work focus includes social work with older people, gerontology, support for family carers, social networks, and issues of social inclusion and participation.