Burgenland

Burgenland is located in the east of Austria. Burgenland covers an area of 3,966 km² and has a population of about 280,000 inhabitants. Agriculture plays a significant role: 49.8% of the area is used for agriculture and forestry; about 8.2% of the working population is active in this sector.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, Burgenland has become one of the fastest-growing regions in Austria. This development has been particularly dynamic since Austria became a member of the EU and Burgenland was acknowledged as an Objective 1 region, receiving dedicated funding resources for regional development.

One of the main goals was the establishment of technology centres with links to small and medium-scale enterprises of the region, and which would serve to strengthen Burgenland as an economic location. The establishment of technology centres in Burgenland has also provided a new basis for attracting businesses to settle in the region.

Core responsibility for international R&D collaborations/programmes lies in the hands of the WiBAG, the TOB, the Regional Government of Burgenland, the Regionalmanagement Burgenland GmbH and the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences (UAS).

Each of the six technology centres in Burgenland is dedicated to a special field, e.g. renewable energy, IT, etc. The main areas of economic interest in Burgenland are renewable energies, electronics, information and communication technology, and business development in tourism and agriculture.

The Burgenland University of Applied Sciences started its R&D activities in 1994/1995. First, the research structures and facilities were established. A research laboratory was created in Pinkafeld and a project office for research management was set up in Eisenstadt. This facilitated R&D activity related to students’ studies.

The institution concentrates on four research and education areas: economics (with a focus on Middle- and East European countries), information technology/management, energy/environmental management and health care.