First working breakfast with members of the federal government

Every year, the presentation of the STI Monitor is also the occasion for a session and the annual FORWIT retreat. This year, the packed programme kicked off with the first joint working breakfast with Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure Peter Hanke and State Secretary for Energy, Start-ups and Tourism Elisabeth Zehetner.

Higher education strategy 2040, RTI pact and long-term prospects

The main topics of the meeting were the federal government’s planned higher education strategy 2040 and the next STI pact. The discussion centred on the question of how FORWIT can effectively contribute its expertise to these projects. The participants agreed that in view of the current challenges – from the tight budgetary situation to the industrial crisis and declining productivity – a long-term, future-oriented STI policy is more important than ever.

The discussion emphasised the need to think beyond short-term goals and consider a time horizon of ten to fifteen years. This is the only way to ensure that Austria’s research, technology and innovation policy is sustainable in order to secure the country’s competitiveness and master social challenges.

FORWIT would like to thank all participants for the productive and motivated dialogue. The working breakfast showed how important open dialogue and cooperation are for the future of Austria.