Corporate wording is a clear, uniform language which is appropriate for the FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences. The language we use to communicate both internally and externally is part of our unique profile. This profile is important. If it is to bring the benefits we hope for, our profile must be clearly understood, recognisable and, above all, consistent.
FH JOANNEUM is recognised for the open and non-discriminatory nature of its communication, both internal and external. It reflects the university’s commitment to inclusivity. FH JOANNEUM does not tolerate discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and physical or mental disabilities.
FH JOANNEUM is committed to gender-inclusive language. Gender-inclusive, gender-neutral and non-discriminatory designations must be used and adhered to in all university documentation. Using gender-inclusive language helps promote greater equality in society. We wish to proactively encourage diversity by embedding inclusivity in our language and its use.
We formulate texts in a gender-neutral manner by using plural pronouns or by addressing readers directly.
Example of using plural pronouns:
Each applicant should state their preferred form of address.
Example of addressing readers directly:
Our degree programmes offer you flexible study options to suit your lifestyle.
Language is sexist when it ignores women or men and their achievements; when it describes women as dependent on or subordinate to men, or vice versa; when it depicts women or men only in stereotypical roles; and when it uses condescending expressions which humiliate and ridicule women or men.
The form of address used is generally determined by the individual being addressed.
Where the addressees are unknown, and not assigned to any specific group (colleagues, team, etc.), then the salutation must be inclusive:
For example: Dear Sir/Madam
Titles are placed next to the name and should always have the appropriate form. In written forms of address, use only the most important academic title;
Example: Dear Professor Doe.
Generally, use only a person’s name unless further descriptors are judged appropriate.
FH JOANNEUM offers the following programmes:
In official letters, the terms Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree programme are used – in accordance with the designations in Austria’s University of Applied Sciences Act (FHG).
The term “programmes” is used as a collective term for the respective courses of study offered by FH JOANNEUM (Degree Programme and Study Tracks).
According to the provisions of the FHG (§ 6 (2)), the academic degrees and their abbreviations are:
Bachelor’s Degree Programmes
Master’s Degree Programmes
each with the name of the relevant subject group.
According to § 88 (2) of the Universities Act (UG), the academic titles “Mag.”, “DI” and “Dr” must precede the name; all other academic abbreviations are placed after the name and separated by a comma.
For example:
DI Dr Jane Doe, BSc MA
FH JOANNEUM adheres to the provisions of the Universities Act (UG) and the Universities of Applied Sciences Act (FHG) and the requirements of the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF) with respect to the use of academic titles.
The use of the academic title is an entitlement that the holders of the degree may exercise or not, as they wish.
The academic titles “Mag.”, “DI” and “Dr” must precede the name; BA, BSc, MA and MSc degrees, as well as degrees awarded by Master certificate programmes, are placed after the name and separated by a comma (unless otherwise specified, e.g. on forms).
FH JOANNEUM uses the abbreviated form of academic titles. The abbreviations correspond to the requirements of the BMFWF.
When abbreviating academic titles, no visible distinction is made between male and female. Gender is included in the abbreviation and can be derived from the first name or salutation.
For this reason, FH JOANNEUM documentation does not use a special designation of the feminine form by adding “a” (Mag.a) or “in” (DIin, Dr.in).
Recommendation: Limit the use of multiple abbreviated titles to informal use. In formal lists, multiple titles should be listed as such.
For example:
Mag. Mag. Jane Doe
DI DI Dr. Jane Doe
FH-Prof. Dr. John Smith, MSc MBA
If being directly addressed (email/letter), it would be:
Dear Ms Doe
Dear Dr Doe
Dear Professor Smith
Academic degrees are not included in FH JOANNEUM continuous text (newsletters, press releases, brochures, etc.).
The following function and job titles are used at FH JOANNEUM, among others:
More than 50 degree programmes and courses at FH JOANNEUM have been reorganised into six departments and 26 institutes in order to exploit synergies, establish focal areas for research and development, share existing infrastructure, and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.
The six departments are:
The Head of Department is elected on a temporary basis from among the Heads of Degree Programme.
A study track or specialisation allows students to have a more specific focus in their studies. As a rule, students need to decide this at the beginning of their studies, for example:
Where a text focuses on a particular study track (for example, presented individually on the website), the study track can also be referred to synonymously as “programme” where it has previously been identified as a study track in a particular degree programme.
The names of the degree programme, institute, department or specialisation are formatted as standard text (no emphasis).
Continuous text and bulleted lists
In continuous text, bulleted lists, or where the degree programme is used as a heading, it must be named directly. Quotation marks should not be used.
For example:
The names of the departments must also be written without quotation marks in continuous text, for example, the Department of Applied Computer Sciences. Similarly, in continuous text the names of the institutes must also be written without quotation marks, for example, Institute of Electronic Engineering.
The abbreviations for the degree programmes should not be used in external communications; they may be used in internal communications.
Please refer to the corresponding pages for the spelling of the studies offered by FH JOANNEUM, their respective departments and institutes, as well as further information on the degree programmes, departments and institutes.
The addresses of all FH JOANNEUM locations have a uniform format. The vertical (v) and horizontal (h) notation do not differ in the sequence.
FH JOANNEUM Graz
(v) Alte Poststrasse 149
8020 Graz
(h) Alte Poststrasse 149, 8020 Graz
FH JOANNEUM Kapfenberg
(v) Werk-VI-Strasse 46
8605 Kapfenberg
(h) Werk-VI-Strasse 46, 8605 Kapfenberg
FH JOANNEUM Bad Gleichenberg
(v) Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Strasse 24
8344 Bad Gleichenberg
(h) Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Strasse 24, 8344 Bad Gleichenberg
The campus names always include the designation FH JOANNEUM. Designations such as FH-Zentrum Kapfenberg, Graz or Graz-West are not permitted.
In international correspondence, folders, brochures … the country (AUSTRIA) must be included in capitals under the postcode and city.
According to Austria Post, the formulation “A-” + postcode is not permitted.
For example:
Company address
FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH
(v) Alte Poststrasse 149
8020 Graz
AUSTRIA
(h) Alte Poststrasse 149, 8020 Graz, AUSTRIA
University address
FH JOANNEUM
University of Applied Sciences
(v) Alte Poststrasse 149
8020 Graz
AUSTRIA
(h) Alte Poststrasse 149, 8020 Graz, AUSTRIA
FH JOANNEUM uses the international format for indicating telephone and fax numbers, according to the DIN 5008 standard. Any deviations are made to support the company’s interests and its public image.
The “+” (plus) sign is placed in front of the country code. The main number and extension are separated by a hyphen.
For example:
T: +43 316 5453-8800
M: +43 664 80453-8800
The letter “T” is used to symbolise “telephone number” on printed matter and in signatures. The “T” is followed by a colon.
The same applies to “fax number” – abbreviation “F”.
The word “mobile” is synonymous with mobile phone number. Abbreviation – “M”, followed by a colon.
Web addresses (URL – Uniform Resource Locator) are expressed in two ways:
1. Addresses without “www”
In this case, the URL must contain “https://”.
For example: https://aviation.fh-joanneum.at
2. Addresses with “www”
Here, “https://” is omitted.
For example: www.fh-joanneum.at
The word “email” is not hyphenated.
Where “e” is used as a separate prefix, such as e-learning, e-business or e-government, the “e” follows sentence case, i.e., the “e” is only capitalised when it is the first word in the sentence.
Email signatures are structured like business cards.
Example
Dr Jane Doe
Head of Degree Programme
FH | JOANNEUM
University of Applied Sciences
Degree Programme / Institute / Unit
Alte Poststrasse 149, 8020 Graz, Austria
T: +43 316 5453-8800
M: +43 664 80453-8800
martha.musterfrau@fh-joanneum.at
www.fh-joanneum.at
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English-language signatures always omit the company form designation (GmbH). The English equivalent of a FH – University of Applied Sciences – must be indicated under the name of the university.
