Honorary Professors
Appointment
§ 1. The Rectorate may confer the authorisation to teach (venia docendi) an entire academic subject as honorary professor at the University of Vienna for a certain period of time on experts with special academic qualifications in recognition of their special academic and pedagogical achievements.
Prerequisite for appointment
§ 2. The conferral of the authorisation to teach is subject to evidence of outstanding academic qualification as well as didactic abilities to the extent required for a professorship.
Procedure
§ 3. (1) The dean of the faculty responsible for the subject in question (the head of the centre responsible for the subject in question) may, on a proposal of or after hearing the university professors, associate professors (section 122, para. 3 of the 2002 Universities Act), the at least half-time employed members of the academic university staff having an authorisation to teach (venia docendi) and the associated professors (section 27, para. 5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff as amended) of the competent subject area, propose a specific person to be awarded the authorisation to teach as honorary professor to the Rectorate.
(2) The proposal of the dean of the faculty responsible for the subject in question (the head of the centre responsible for the subject in question) has to be enclosed with the following documents relating to the academic concerned:
1. curriculum vitae;
2. presentation of the special focus areas of his/her previous academic activities;
3. list of publications;
4. list of previous teaching activities;
5. proof of didactic aptitude, including an opinion or expert report from the students’ representatives;
6. two expert reports on the suitability for an honorary professorship from (usually external) subject representatives.
(3) The university professors, the associate professors, the at least half-time employed members of the academic university staff having an authorisation to teach (venia docendi), the associated professors and students’ representatives of the subject area have the right to inspect these documents for a period of three weeks prior to forwarding them to the Rectorate.
(4) A resolution by the Rectorate to grant the authorisation to teach as an honorary professor requires the approval from the Senate.
(5) The Rectorate’s official notice of award specifies the academic subject and the organisational unit to which the honorary professor is assigned.
(6) The Rectorate may extend an authorisation to teach granted for a limited period of time pursuant to section 1 or, pursuant to the 1993 UOG, on a proposal or after hearing the head of the subject-relevant academic organisational unit (para. 5) and with the consent of the Senate for a specific or indefinite period of time.
Rights and duties of honorary professors
§ 4. (1) Honorary professors belong to the group of non-tenured associate professors under organisational law (section 102 of the 2002 Universities Act).
(2) They have the right, within the scope of their authorisation to teach at the University of Vienna, to teach courses independently, to hold examinations and to supervise and assess academic theses (sections 80 to 82 of the 2002 Universities Act). The University of Vienna expects honorary professors to regularly exercise the authorisation to teach granted to them.
(3) Honorary professors have the right to use the facilities of the University of Vienna for academic work in accordance with the decision of the head of the organisational unit concerned.
(4) The conferral of the authorisation to teach (venia docendi) does not establish an employment relationship with the University of Vienna, and it does not entitle the holder to equip a workplace or to remuneration.
(5) Compensation for the activities listed in para. 2 is based on the provisions of the University of Vienna applicable to non-tenured associate professors.
Revocation
§ 5. After hearing the Senate, the Rectorate may revoke the conferral of the authorisation to teach as an honorary professor if the honorary professor does not teach at the University of Vienna for two years without good reason, if knowledge of facts is subsequently gained which would have opposed the conferral of the authorisation to teach, or if the honorary professor behaves in such a way that he/she proves to be unworthy of the honorary professorship.
Entry into force and expiration
§ 6. This part of the Statutes enters into force on the day following its announcement in the University Gazette.
As of: 29 March 2014
The only legally binding version is the German version published in the University Gazette.
Table of contents
- Guidelines for the Conferment of Honorary Degrees and Awards
- Electoral Regulations
- Rules of Procedure for Collegial Bodies
- Studienpräses
- Study Law
- Equal Opportunities Working Party
- Graduation Ceremonies for the Conferral of Academic Degrees
- Target Agreements between the Head of the Faculty/Centre and an Academic
- House Rules
- Form and Extent of the Graduates’ Involvement at the University
- Habilitation
- Expiry of the Authorisation to Teach
- Quality Assurance
- Affirmative Action Plan for the Advancement of Women and Gender Equality
- Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities and/or Chronic Illnesses at the University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Ethics Committee
- Honorary Professors
- Recruitment Procedure for Professorships according to Section 99, Para. 4 of the Universities Act for Associated Professors
- Appointment of Professors according to Section 99a of the Universities Act