MU's President and Managing Director named to ÖPUK Board

The Austrian Association of Private Universities (ÖPUK) has a new managing board – with two Modulians in top positions.

MODUL University Vienna President Karl Wöber has been elected the new Chairman, and Managing Director Christian Hoffman is the new Chief Financial Officer of ÖPUK.

The umbrella organization links together the 12 nationally-recognized Austrian private universities and represents the interests of the private higher education sector in Austria. All members are fully accredited to international standards through the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQA).

Prof. Wöber sees improving the competitive conditions and increasing awareness of the benefits of private universities as the main challenges for the future, and provide stronger representation for Austrian private universities in federal policy.

"Private universities are an important pillar of the national education fabric, and yet they are still performing in the shadows of public perception," said Prof. Wöber.

"Due to national and international competition, the stringent quality requirements of the relevant national accreditation body, and the growing support of countries and private sponsors, private universities are leading in many areas – in particular in study quality, equipment, and research environmental concerns. My goal is to be a strong voice for private universities and encourage active participation in the current educational discourse. The creation of an independent office is an important first step in this direction."

Find out more on the ÖPUK site (in German) at www.privatuniversitaeten.at

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(L-R) Christian Hoffman, Karl Wöber, ÖPUK Deputies Maria-Regina Kecht (Webster University Vienna) und Stephan Schmidt-Wulffen (New Design University St.Pölten).