Here you will find news, resolutions, and information from the meetings of the Senate of the Medical University of Vienna. Stay up-to-date on current developments, initiatives, and important decisions.
In its last meeting, the Senate addressed the development plan of the Medical University of Vienna, which defines the university's strategic direction for the coming years. The Senate was also presented with the final program for the new Master's program in Psychotherapy, the first cohort of which began in October. Furthermore, Natascha Hett, a student representative, was elected as the Senate's second deputy chair. The Senate also demonstrated its commitment to sports, fielding its own team in the 20th Cancer Research Run.
The Senate has thoroughly examined the development plan of the Medical University of Vienna for the years 2028-2033. As a central strategic document, the development plan sets the university's roadmap for the coming years and establishes important parameters for research, teaching, and patient care. The Senate has contributed its perspective to the process and is thus actively and constructively supporting the further development of the Medical University of Vienna.
The Senate warmly congratulates Natascha Hett on her election as 2nd Deputy Chair of the Senate. Hett studies dentistry and human medicine at the Medical University of Vienna and is Chair of the Austrian Students' Union at the Medical University of Vienna (ÖH Med Wien).
The Senate participated in the 20th Cancer Research Run on October 10, 2026, with its own team at the Old General Hospital (Altes AKH) campus. Each lap of the one-mile course run benefits cancer research projects at the Medical University of Vienna. The Senate is particularly pleased about the 20th anniversary of this event, which has been combining research, community, and civic engagement on campus for two decades.
In its last session, the Senate passed several important resolutions: A new MD/PhD extension program will allow particularly research-oriented and dedicated students to begin their academic careers earlier. Furthermore, the posthumous award of a doctorate to Vladimir Schliom was approved; he was prevented from completing his medical studies in 1938 as a victim of the Nazi regime. In addition, there is good news for all faculty members: The student-awarded honorary prizes for humanities, dentistry, and postgraduate programs will be awarded again with immediate effect.
The Senate has approved the establishment of a new supplementary program for the Diploma in Human Medicine (MD/PhD). This program is designed for a small number of highly motivated and research-oriented students ("Early Stage Researchers") who can interrupt their medical studies after completing their diploma thesis to dedicate themselves intensively to a dissertation project before their clinical elective year (KPJ). Credits earned during the supplementary program will then be directly applied toward the regular doctoral/PhD program, significantly shortening the time required to complete the PhD. The program includes a 30-hour-per-week position within the research project and an evaluation of the new study model after approximately three years.
The curriculum will take effect on October 1, 2026.
The Senate has decided to posthumously award Vladimir Schliom a doctorate in medicine. Schliom, born in Riga in 1912, was a medical student at the University of Vienna and, in 1938, shortly before his final examinations, was forced to leave the country as a victim of the Nazi regime. This prevented him from obtaining his doctorate. With this decision, the university continues its efforts to posthumously honor students who were expelled during the Nazi regime.
The student-selected awards for teaching will now be presented again, separately for the degree programs in human medicine, dentistry, and postgraduate programs. The awards are based on student surveys and recognize those instructors who have distinguished themselves through exceptional dedication and innovation.