History

1910/11

In winter 1910, Hans Freiherr Jüptner von Jonsdorf, the rector of the Technische Hochschule Wien (now Technische Universität Wien), took the initiative for a convocation of Austrian university rectors. The association was to comprise all higher education institutions in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The first meeting of the Rectors' Conference took place in Vienna on 27 and 28 April 1911. Shortly thereafter, the rector of the University of Vienna was made permanent chair, since this was the only university whose administrative resources were sufficiently large for organising the association. During the nationality conflicts that burdened the final years of the Empire only the German-language universities were represented in the Rectors' Conference at times.

After World War I

the Rectors' Conference was re-established as the Austrian Rectors' Conference. Other higher education institutions apart from universities proper such as the Hochschule für Welthandel (a business school focussing on external trade) were admitted as members, too.

From 1935 to 1945

the Austrian Rectors' Conference did not meet. When regular meetings of all Austrian rectors commenced on 25 October 1945, the Conference was again chaired by the University of Vienna.

The Austrian universities are aware of the responsibility they bear for the expulsion, persecution and murder of their staff and students during national socialism.

1955 to 1969

Prior to the enactment of the Higher Education Organisation Act (Hochschulorganisationsgesetz) 1955 the Austrian Rectors' Conference functioned without a legal basis. It compiled expert opinions and was involved in preparing bills. The Conference’s responsibilities were expanded to include the organisation of research and the appointment of committees. These actitivities finally exceeded the administrative resources the University of Vienna was able to provide.

In 1969, Günter Fettweis, the rector of the University of Leoben, therefore suggested the establishment of a Secretariat. Raoul Kneucker was appointed the first Secretary General of the Austrian Rectors' Conference. The Secretariat was provided with the necessary organisational and financial means that enabled the Conference for the first time to act independently on behalf of the Austrian universities.

1975 to 2000

Both the Unversity Organisation Acts of 1975 and 1993 confirmed the status of the Austrian Rectors' Conference as an institution of public law, financed by public funds. Still the Rectors‘ Conference was able to function and decide independently to a large extent.

The duties and rights of the Conference were governed by law. The Austrian Rectors' Conference was recognised as the highest ranking representative body of the public universities.

2002 to 2004

The University Act 2002 did not mention the Austrian Rectors' Conference. Therefore, it ceased to exist as a public institution on 31 December 2003. Already on 20 October 2003, the Conference had been re-established as a non-profit association under private law. The name Austrian Rectors' Conference was retained.

2008

The Austrian Rectors' Conference changes its name into Universities Austria.