Geneva (ANTARA) \u2013 Around 50,000 people took to the streets of Vienna,\nthe Austrian capital, on Thursday (22 October) to protest against cuts\nto the education budget.<\/p>\n
The demonstration in Vienna had previously been announced by its\norganiser, the Austrian National Union of Students (\u00d6H), in a press\nrelease.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe federal government has announced a budget of \u20ac16 billion (Rp322\ntrillion) for universities over the 2028\u20132030 period,\u201d the statement\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, according to estimates by the Universities Conference, at\nleast \u20ac18 billion (Rp362.2 trillion) is needed just to offset the\neffects of inflation,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
The protest began at 3pm (8pm WIB) outside the main building of TU\nWien, under the slogan \u201cRed Alert \u2013 #SaveOurUniversities!\u201d.<\/p>\n
According to the Austrian National Union of Students, the\ndemonstration was attended not only by students and staff from various\nuniversities in Vienna, but also by members of the academic community\nfrom other federal states.<\/p>\n
The Public Service Union also provided transport for university staff\nand doctors travelling from various university towns.<\/p>\n
\u00d6H chair Viktoria Kudrna told local media before the event began that\nthe demonstration aimed to show opposition to the cuts.<\/p>\n
She said there was still hope that the government would agree to\nincrease the budget.<\/p>\n
At federal level, however, the allocation was considered final\nfollowing an agreement reached by senior government officials on\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
The Austrian National Union of Students warned that the cuts could\nreduce the range of academic programmes, weaken support services for\nstudents and worsen employment conditions.<\/p>\n
Kudrna added that students were already beginning to feel the\neffects.<\/p>\n
For example, TU Wien\u2019s library opening hours have been reduced. Since\nmid-June, the university\u2019s rector, Jens Schneider, has also imposed a\ntemporary freeze on new job openings as a precautionary measure.<\/p>\n
The protest received official support from university administrators,\nincluding permission for students and staff to miss classes or work so\nthey could take part in the demonstration.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thousands-in-vienna-protest-education-budget-cuts-1792734810", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }