Creating Equal Opportunities

We, the St. Pölten UAS, acknowledge that gender identity is not always binary and may well differ from how it might seem from the outside. Our campus is a tolerant and inclusive environment where everybody is welcome – and a place dedicated to counteracting social inequality based on gender identity, age, sexual orientation, religion, social and ethnic origin.

This is why we initiate and support innovative projects in the fields of inclusion, gender equality and diversity.

• The St. Pölten UAS is committed to the Charta der Vielfalt (Diversity Charter). 
  
• Part 3 of the Statute "Equality, Promotion of Women" forms the framework.
• The Gender Equality Plan 2023-2025 of the St. Pölten UAS [SA1] supports the process of continued further development in this area.

Contact: Gender and Diversity Team

Our Gender and Diversity Team implements our strategic targets on gender mainstreaming and diversity management. Supported by representatives of the departments and service units, the Works Council, the UAS Board, and the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH), it introduces measures on awareness, launches projects and contributes to publications (e.g., language manual).

	Anna Steinberger , BSc, BSc, MA Gender and Diversity  Contact: asteinberger@fhstp.ac.at
	Ruaa Hamami Gender and Diversity

Here you can find information on:

• Accessibility, Studying/Working with a Disability / Chronic Illness
• Family Friendliness, Studying/Working as a Parent
• Inclusive Language
• Activities Against Racism
• Activities Against Sexual Discrimination and Violence
• Women in STEM
• Gender & Diversity in Research

Accessibility, Studying/Working with a Disability / Chronic Illness

St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences offers barrier-free premises and helpful technical equipment as far as possible. Staff and students with disabilities are supported and advised respectively.

More on Accessibility

Family Friendliness, Studying/Working as a Parent

St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences tries to support employees with care responsibilities and to create optimal conditions for studying with a child or studying during pregnancy.

More on Family Friendliness

Inclusive Communication

We, the St. Pölten UAS, strive to be an inclusive place for all. An important step towards achieving this goal is the use of inclusive language that does not exclude or discriminate against anyone.

The St. Pölten UAS actively promotes gender-sensitive wording and recommends neutralising gender. Where this is not possible, we give priority to using the asterisk (*).
For concrete assistance regarding diversity (disability, anti-racism, sexual orientation, etc.) or inclusive visual imagery, please refer to the “Guidelines for Inclusive Communication” approved by the UAS Board and the Executive Board.

All Genders Welcome WCs

At the St. Pölten UAS, rooms are available where all people are welcome to use regardless of their gender.

The “All Genders Welcome WCs” are located here:

• Ground floor, building B
• 2nd floor, main staircase, building A

The former men’s, women’s, and wheelchair-accessible toilets in these locations have been changed to accommodate all genders. These all-gender toilets have waste bins in every cubicle.

Our showers and changing rooms for students are also intended as spaces for all genders, which is why they are not separated according to gender. Please behave respectfully towards one another when using these rooms.

Why Are All Gender WCs Important?

Activities Against Racism

The UAS actively opposes racism. The Gender & Diversity Office serves as the central point of contact for anti-racism initiatives at the university. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March is an important occasion for raising awareness and promoting engagement.

To mark this occasion, the workshop "Developing Intersectional Perspectives – How Can I Counteract (Structural) Inequalities in Everyday Life?" will take place on 10 April 2025.

• Time: 09:30–12:00
• Location: Seminar Room B.1.19
• Registration: via email to gender_diversity@fhstp.ac.at

Support and Guidance

For further information and legal advice on discrimination cases, the following organisations are available:

• GAW – Equal Treatment Advocacy for legal consultation (in German)
• ZARA – Civil Courage & Anti-Racism Work
• Klagsverband – Support in enforcing anti-discrimination rights

Strengthening Knowledge: E-Learning on Equal Treatment

We encourage all staff and students to complete the free E-Learning on Equal Treatment in the Workplace (in German), which takes approximately 30 minutes.

Activities Against Sexual Discrimination and Violence

The UAS consistently works on raising awareness within the framework of the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and beyond.

• Against Gender-based Violence – information, help, addresses

The Statute of the St. Pölten UAS expressly prohibits any form of sexual harassment of staff members, students or other persons involved in higher education operations.

The following persons may serve as a point of contact:

• Gender & Diversity Officer
• Works Council
• Academic Director
• Students’ Union representatives
• members of the UAS Board
• Human Resources & Legal Affairs

Tip

• Students may also find trained persons of trust at eye level among our Peers4You volunteers
• Further external points of contact: Ombud for Equal Treatment

Women in STEM

We seek to support women to pursue a career in the STEM fields. It is our objective to break gender stereotypes because female engineers are much sought after and can expect excellent career prospects!

We have offers for both female school and university students.
Our offer is aimed primarily at everyone who understands themself as female.

Gender & Diversity in Research

The St. Pölten UAS takes a strong stance in research. This includes adopting a perspective on gender & diversity and thereby creating added value for society.

Helpful Resources

Current example at the St. Pölten UAS

... and Teaching

The further Training in Higher Education Didactics by LEARN offers support in including gender & diversity into teaching. It aims at teaching basic knowledge about gender and diversity. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need additional training.

Further information

• Accessibility, Studying with a Disability / Chronic Illness
• Family Friendliness, Studying as a Parent
• Against Gender-based Violence – information, help, addresses (in German)
• Department for Inclusive Education of the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH)