Vienna – November 02, 2026 -- The University Council of mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna unanimously elected Oliver Vitouch as its next rector on 31 October 2026. He takes office on 1 October 2027 for a four-year term, succeeding Ulrike Sych, who has led the university since 2015.
Council selects a former Klagenfurt rector with national sector experience
Vitouch, born in Vienna in 1971, is a professor of general psychology. He chaired the Senate at the University of Klagenfurt from 2006 to 2012 and served as its rector from 2012 to 2024. From 2016 to 2024 he alternated as president and vice president of the Austrian Universities Conference (uniko).
He currently sits on the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg and on the presidium of the Austrian Research Association (ÖFG). His academic work in music psychology began with concert clarinet studies at the Vienna conservatory, now MUK, and includes a dissertation and habilitation at the University of Vienna.
Council chair cites sector pressure and the three-pillar model
Council chair Angelika Möser said Vitouch convinced the body with his experience in the Austrian university system, his plans for mdw's development and his understanding of art and music. She said mdw, like all Austrian universities, faces challenging times, and that it will continue to build on its three pillars of art, science and pedagogy.
Vitouch pointed to the European university alliance IN.TUNE, which includes the University of Arts in Belgrade, as a way to strengthen mdw's European dimension. He also referred to recent political events in Serbia in that context.
Three-nominee Senate shortlist and international search shaped the process
The council voted from a three-person proposal submitted by the Senate, as required by the Universities Act and mdw's election rules. The multi-stage procedure weighed professional qualification, leadership competence and a forward-looking development profile. The international search was supported by the recruitment firm Kulturexperten, and the Senate was chaired by Markus Grassl.
Sych said the handover on 1 October 2027 will be orderly and transparent.
Vice-rector nominations come next
Vitouch will now propose vice rectors, and the Senate will comment on the nominations. The University Council will then elect the vice rectors. Handover and transition processes will follow in coordination with the current rectorate team, the Senate and mdw's organizational units.