Cooperation ended

Burgenland stops scholarships for medical training

For the time being, no new medical study places will be financed by the state (symbolic photo)

(Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER)

The state of Burgenland is reviewing its previous cooperation with Danube Private University Gmbh (DPU) in Krems for medical training. Scholarships for young doctors will not be provided for the time being. Instead, new approaches are apparently being considered. 

To counteract the impending shortage of doctors, the state concluded a cooperation agreement with the DPU in 2019. The number of scholarships was increased two years ago. The aim was for 55 medical study places to be financed by the state each year until 2027.

Confusion surrounding the end of cooperation
 The cooperation has been put on hold: "A reorientation of the scholarship awards is being examined with the aim of training doctors for Burgenland," announced Governor Doskozil's office. New scholarships at the DPU will no longer be advertised. Existing studies can be completed. There are currently 120 scholarship holders from the state.

The DPU apparently sees things somewhat differently. As the newspaper "Kurier" reported on Thursday evening, the private university had already informed the state at the end of January that it would be terminating the agreement as of June 30, 2024.

The state stated that "an amicable agreement had been reached after a lengthy process."

The aim is to establish a long-term training program for doctors in Burgenland in order to secure healthcare provision in the long term.

Büro von Landeshauptmann Hans Peter Doskozil

In-house training under consideration
The province is also looking into awarding scholarships directly to Burgenland residents who are studying at MedUni Vienna, for example. The establishment of a separate medical training program in the state itself is also being considered as a longer-term perspective. "The future organization of the scholarship awards and all other plans are to be presented in the spring," according to the governor's office.

The old Oberwart hospital

(Bild: P. Huber)

According to "Krone" information, the province is currently working on the development of its own university location for medical training. The site of the old Oberwart hospital, which will be demolished in 2025, has recently been repeatedly mentioned as a possible location.