The protests at universities were loud and remain justified. Even the new promises that Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) is now making to appease the public outcry point to drastic real cuts in university budgets from 2028. Since there is no discernible government reform strategy behind the disproportionate dimensions of the cuts, the warnings about the disastrous consequences are all too understandable: less innovation, worse study conditions, canceled scientific projects and the exodus of ambitious researchers.
