30 Years. Forward: Together.

USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten celebrated its 30th anniversary with a ceremony on the Campus St. Pölten. Together with representatives from politics, academia, business, and society, the institution looked back on three decades of shared development – and also looked ahead to new educational pathways, impactful research, and an internationally connected future.

Three decades ago, the history of USTP began with a single degree programme and about 60 students in the former ‘Glanzstoff Villa’ in Herzogenburger Straße. Today, USTP combines teaching, research, and continuing education on a modern campus, collaborates with partners from business and society, and is actively involved in European networks and collaborations. The developments of the past 30 years demonstrate how the university has evolved alongside its region while simultaneously opening up international perspectives.

“Over the past 30 years, our university of applied sciences experienced growth together with many people: students, staff, graduates, partners, and supporters from the region and far beyond. This anniversary is not only an occasion to look back on what we have achieved and to thank everyone who made this development possible, but also a mission to work together to shape the best possible future. In doing so, we closely link education, research, innovation, and societal engagement with the social, environmental, technological, and economic challenges of our time”, emphasised USTP CEOs Hannes Raffaseder and Johann Haag.

Impulses for Education, Innovation, and Social Responsibility

The ceremony was dedicated to the question of what higher education institutions can contribute towards social developments, economic competitiveness, and regional innovative power.

Jens Schneider, Rector of TU Wien, delivered the keynote address. Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science, and Research, congratulated the university on its 30th anniversary and praised its development as an internationally connected centre of higher education:

“The history of USTP is a striking example: What began on a small scale 30 years ago has grown into an internationally connected university campus of great importance for the region. As the coordinator of the European University Alliance E³UDRES², it actively contributes Austrian higher education expertise to Europe and is shaping new forms of collaboration in teaching, research, and innovation. This is a development to be proud of! And a solid foundation for the next 30 years.”

During the anniversary dialogue, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Mayor Matthias Stadler, and Elmar Pichl, section chief at the Federal Ministry for Women, Science, and Research, spoke about the university’s development and its significance for Lower Austria as a centre of science and business.

“USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten is a true success story for Lower Austria. Over the past 30 years, it has evolved from a regional educational institution into an internationally connected university whose influence extends far beyond the state’s borders. It attracts young talent to St. Pölten, fosters innovation and research, and serves as an important partner for business and society. USTP stands for quality, innovative strength, and the ability to combine regional strengths with a European perspective,” said Lower Austria’s Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

“Since our city became the Lower Austrian capital 40 years ago, hardly any other institution has shaped its development as much as USTP. It is an enormously important driver of economic growth and innovation, attracts young and bright minds to our city, creates jobs, connects people and institutions, and revitalises the entire region. Approximately 4,500 students, innovative academic programmes, a state-of-the-art campus, international awards, and close ties to universities throughout Europe are testament to its impressive development over the past 30 years. I am convinced that USTP will continue on this successful path in the future and thus continue to provide important impulses for our city and the entire region”, said St. Pölten’s Mayor Matthias Stadler.

In the dialogue format “Women Who Move Business”, Cornelia Lamprechter (NÖKU), Karen Fanto (Zukunft.Frauen Alumnae Club and Berndorf Bäderbau), and Gerda Füricht-Fiegl (Chairperson of the USTP Board) discussed career paths, responsibility, and the role of education for personal development and social impact.

From St. Pölten to Europa

A central theme of the evening was the European dimension of higher education development. In the panel discussion “Local Pulse – Global Waves”, representatives of the E³UDRES² Alliance discussed the role of regionally anchored universities in a European context. For years, USTP has played an active role within the European University Alliance E³UDRES² and, together with European partner universities, has been developing new forms of collaboration in education, research, and innovation. The university was the first Austrian university of applied sciences to take on the leadership of a European University.

The participants described universities as a link between regional needs, European cooperation, and global challenges.

The Next Chapters Have Already Begun

This anniversary coincides with a period of significant growth for the university.

As USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, it consistently builds on its international focus, its research strengths, and its self-image as a place where human development begins.

At the same time, USTP invests in future-oriented fields such as artificial intelligence through its AI Living Lab, further expands its European collaboration within the framework of the European University Alliance E³UDRES², and – together with TU Wien and the EULiST University Alliance – creates an additional university campus with a European perspective through the European Campus Hainburg.

What began as a regional educational project 30 years ago has evolved into a globally connected university. The coming years will be marked by new educational programmes, European collaborations, research fields with relevance for the future, and an even stronger integration of knowledge, innovation, and social impact.

Many Anniversaries – a Shared History

The anniversary year 2026 marks not only the 30th anniversary of USTP as a whole. Numerous departments and degree programmes are also celebrating significant milestones:

• 30 years: study programme Telecommunications & Media
• 25 years: bachelor degree programme Media Management
• 25 years: master degree programme Digital Media Management
• 25 years: bachelor degree programme Social Work
• 20 years: bachelor degree programme Marketing & Communication
• 20 years: bachelor degree programme Physiotherapy
• 20 years: bachelor degree programme Dietetics
• 20 years: master degree programme Media Management
• 20 years: bachelor degree programme IT Security
• 15 years: master degree programme Digital Marketing & Communication
• 15 years: continuing education programme Applied Nutritional Therapy
• 15 years: Institute of Creative\Media/Technologies (IC\M/T)

Behind these anniversaries are generations of students, lecturers, researchers, and alumni who have helped shape the university’s development over many years. Together, they have co-designed a university that, for 30 years now, has combined education, research, and continuing education with a commitment to the region and an international perspective.

Photos for download © Christoph Böhm