A new partnership aims to strengthen research, teaching and knowledge transfer in security-related technology fields in the long term. The focus is on digitalisation, IT security and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten (USTP) and the Austrian Armed Forces have formalised their long-standing collaboration. The Lower Austrian Military Commander, Brigadier Georg Härtinger, presented the partnership certificate to the university’s management. The agreement establishes a framework for joint projects in research and teaching, as well as for exchange between academia and military practice.

The partnership centres on digitalisation, information and communication technologies, and IT and cyber security. The USTP and the Austrian Armed Forces aim to continue existing research and development projects and facilitate new initiatives. The university contributes scientific and technical expertise that the Austrian Armed Forces can utilise in carrying out their duties. A shared objective is to contribute to IT security and the protection of critical infrastructure.

In addition to projects, the partnership provides for regular professional exchanges, events and networking opportunities. Markus Wagner, lecturer in Industry 4.0 at the USTP, highlights the transfer of knowledge between research, practice and public institutions. Simon Tjoa, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Security, sees the agreement as offering further opportunities for joint research and innovation projects.

This formalised cooperation thus links university research with the Austrian Armed Forces’ security tasks. How this new framework translates into specific projects will become apparent through the joint initiatives.