Tyrolean Drone Expertise: State Secretary Leichtfried Visits HOK
- 29.10.2026
- General
State Secretary Leichtfried gains insights into drone training, research, and application areas (from left): Prof. (FH) Dr. Martin Adam (Head of the Drone Engineering program), FH Rector Prof. (FH) PD Dr. Mario Döller, State Secretary Mag. Jörg Leichtfried, Prof. (FH) Dr. Christian Schmid (Professor of Product Development)
The Kufstein University of Applied Sciences (HOK) combines a pioneering European degree program with intensive drone research and a strong business network. On October 28, State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried gained insights into the interplay between education, research, and application.
How do scientific ideas become practical drone applications? This question was the focus of State Secretary Leichtfried's visit to the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol (HOK). Together with students, researchers, and companies, the university demonstrated how expertise in this important future technology is being developed in the region and translated into concrete applications.
With the first full-time, English-language Bachelor's degree program in Drone Engineering in Europe, HOK is playing a pioneering role. The program combines drone design, control, and programming with artificial intelligence, sensor technology, and data analysis. During the State Secretary's visit, who ist responsible for state security and intelligence services, students and faculty demonstrated how drone missions are planned, tested in simulations, and then implemented in practice. The Mobility Lab and the Vicon Indoor Drone Lab provide a controlled research and learning environment for this purpose.
Intensive Research for New Applications
The training is closely linked to the university's research activities. The visit focused on topics such as hydrogen drones, innovative energy concepts, and autonomous drone swarms. "Research at HOK thus addresses key challenges in drone deployment: longer flight times, intelligent collaboration between multiple drones, and the reliable use of autonomous systems," summarizes FH Rector Prof. (FH) PD Dr. Mario Döller. Students gain direct access to these developments and can deepen their expertise by exploring specific research questions.
State Secretary Leichtfried was very impressed
“Drones offer great opportunities, but also present us with new security policy challenges. Protection against misuse is a national challenge that requires a coordinated approach from all relevant stakeholders – from legislators and security authorities to research and industry. It is essential to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. The fact that the first bachelor's degree program in Europe is taking place here in Kufstein is a major milestone – both for the academic content and as a symbol of Austria as a center of scientific excellence,” said State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried, who was very impressed after his visit and expressed his great respect and gratitude to both the faculty and students.
State Secretary Leichtfried himself tested the drone control using VR glasses. Pictured on the left is Neno Ruseno PhD (Lecturer for Drone Flight & Aviation Systems), on the right Prof. (FH) Dr. Habil Ngoc Thinh Nguyen (Deputy Head of the Drone Engineering program).
A regional ecosystem with international connections
The company presentations highlighted the diversity of the drone ecosystem in Kufstein and its international network. TWINS contributes expertise in drone construction, VOERE presented its drone defense capabilities, and the Drone Champions League showcased the potential of drone racing. Deep Blue Aviation presented its hydrogen-powered drones. UXMachines joined the event remotely from Australia and provided insights into U-Space, the digital organization of drone traffic. The Kufstein District Fire Brigade Association supplemented the program with information on the requirements and possibilities of operational drones in the civilian sector.
The presentations demonstrated how scientific expertise, entrepreneurial know-how, and practical operational experience complement each other. The university trains specialists, researches new technologies, and offers companies points of contact for joint development. This creates the conditions for innovation and additional value creation in the region.
The visit concluded with an exchange on the needs of industry and the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The focus was on how education, research, and practical application can collaborate even more closely in the future.
