Today @ 12:25h viennas academy of fine arts was occupied by by students and lecturers. The strike will last until thursday oct. 21st.

The reason for the protest is the adaptation of the us bachelor / master degree system(see the bologna process), In the opinion of many students and lecturers, this system encourages equation in the sense of standardization which leeds to unnecessary competition among educational institutions on a global scale.

Further the so called "automation" of the education system demands an adaptation of neo-liberal economic ideas and profit oriented thinking which often conflicts with the logic and philosophy of artistis. Many Academies and Universities are concerned about the new degree system, because they see their established and legitimate democratic rights replaced with a top-down-hierachy.(roughly translated and shortened from the german press-text)

more info (german only)
petition