Events and functions organised by the Förderkreis

3rd birthday party on 24 October 2018

The Förderkreis 1669 - Wissenschafft Gesellschaft is entering its fourth year and summarised the impact and added value of its civic and philanthropic commitment at an event in the auditorium. The successful initiative, which was launched by Rector Tilmann Märk in 2015, also welcomed a whole host of new supporters.

Around 70 guests from the circle of 1669 and the university attended last Wednesday's celebration in the auditorium of the main building, where the first to speak were the sponsors. Coordinator and Honorary Senator of the University Sabina Kasslatter-Mur presented successes achieved through funded projects: Among other things, the Förderkreis has provided the seed capital for the establishment of a new foundation of the University of Innsbruck, on the occasion of its 350th anniversary in 2019. In the second part of the festivities, newly acquired supporters took to the stage, while long-standing supporters from North and East Tyrol, Vorarlberg, South Tyrol, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg received thanks and recognition from the festive community.

University of Innsbruck Foundation

Rector Märk also took the opportunity to support the University of Innsbruck Foundation, which was established to mark the university's 350th anniversary, as its first donor. In addition to special celebrations, the anniversary year 2019 will also be used to sensitise society to the university and to highlight the opportunities and development potential of the university in the region. Rector Märk was delighted with the willingness of the sponsors to accompany and generously support the university through their philanthropic commitment.

Successful project sponsorships presented

Students from various of the sixteen faculties, who designed and produced special musical instruments as part of a hackathon with Israeli students from the Holon Institute of Technology, thanked sponsors for their support.

In addition, the Visual Interaction Labs 1669 visualisation laboratory was presented by part of the team responsible, Prof. Alexander Ostermann and the head of the university's Information Technology Services department, Sabine Kreidl. This innovation in the field of visualisation and digital recording was supported by the Förderkreis.

Vice-Rector Ulrike Tanzer thanked the Brenner Archive for funding the digitisation of Heinrich von Trott zu Solz's estate. Sara Matt-Leubner from the Transfer Centre for Economic Cooperation highlighted opportunities for economic and international cooperation: The RESI - Researchers with an Entrepreneurial Spirit initiative in Innsbruck, which is funded in particular and modelled on the Cambridge model, is intended to accompany doctoral students on their way to self-employment.

The doctoral programmes on medical law and healthcare, Austrian Studies and elementary risks in alpine regions, which are supported by the funding group, were also presented. The Head of International Services, Barbara Tasser, emphasised the added value created by visiting professorships for students and research groups. With 16 conference travel grants each year, the funding organisation sends young people to conferences all over the world, thus enabling them to build up international networks. Rector Tilmann Märk emphasised how the university is responding to the innovations of our time with its digitalisation strategy.

Finally, Prof Hubert Huppertz from the Department of General and Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, Prof Ruth Breu from the Department of Computer Science and Associate Prof Marie-Luisa Frick from the Department of Philosophy gave vivid presentations on their research and achievements at the university.

After a dense but very interesting and varied programme, the guests used the festive atmosphere for networking discussions and the initiation of new collaborations.

The support group is growing steadily

We are delighted by the commitment of the many sponsors who have either been part of the Sponsors' Circle since 2015 or have joined over the last three years, and who use their donations to fund innovative projects at the University of Innsbruck and thus provide our students with the best possible support on their future career paths.

from North Tyrol:
Andrea Berghofer from Adler-Werk Lackfabrik Johann Berghofer GmbH & Co KG, Eduard Fröschl from Fröschl AG & Co KG, Ingeborg Hochmair from MED-EL Medical Electronics, Oswald Mayr from Montavit Ges.m.b.H., Manfred Pletzer from Pletzer Group, Reinhard Schretter from Schretter & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG, Martha Schultz from Schultz Group, Manfred Swarovski (†) from Swarco, Markus Langes-Swarovski for Swarovski, Arthur Thöni from Thöni Holding GmbH, Christian Bartenbach from Bartenbach GmbH, Gerhard Burtscher from Bank für Tirol und Vorarlberg AG, Michael Egger from Fritz Egger GmbH & Co. OG, Hannes Gschwentner and Markus Pollo from Neue Heimat Tirol Gemeinnützige WohnungsgmbH, Josef Gunsch from Physiotherm GmbH, Daniel Palmacci from Novartis Austria GmbH, Max Kogler from Tiroler Rohre GmbH, Clemens Schaller from Stihl Tirol GmbH, Martin Klingler from Daka GmbH & Co KG, Monika Froschmayr from Weinberg Bauträger & Projektentwicklungs GmbH, Thomas Bodner from Ing. Hans Bodner Baugesellschaft m.b.H. & Co KG, Hermann Gruber from Privatquelle Gruber GmbH & Co KG, Christian Ruetz from Der Bäcker Ruetz GmbH, Hans K. Reisch from Spar Österreichische Warenhandels AG, Studia Service, and in 2018 we welcome: Christoph Achammer from ATP Planungs- und Beteiligungs AG, Klaus Lässer from ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH, Christoph Swarovski from Industriellen Vereinigung Tirol, Markus Schafferer from Schafferer Holding GmbH

from East Tyrol:
Franz Kraler from HELLA Sonnen-und Wetterschutztechnick GmbH, and with 2018 Michaela Hysek-Unterweger from Unterweger Früchteküche GmbH

from Vorarlberg:
Michael Doppelmayr from Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, Georg Comploj from Getzner, Mutter & CIE. GmbH & Co KG, Jürgen Rauch from Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG, Martin Ohneberg from Henn GmbH & Co KG, Hubert Bertsch from Bertsch Holding GmbH, Hubert Marte from Rondo Ganahl AG, and since 2018 Philipp Blum from Julius Blum GmbH

from South Tyrol:
Ulrich Ladurner from Dr Schär AG, Hans Oberrauch from Finstral AG, Michael Seeber from Leitner AG, Christine Zuenelli-Loacker from A. Loacker Konfekt GmbH, Fam. Achammer-Kasslatter from Markas GmbH, Heiner Oberrauch from Salewa Oberalp Group, Christof Oberrauch from Technicon AG, Robert Pichler from Alimco AG, Flora Emma Kröss from EWO GmbH, Heinz Peter Hager from Hager & Partners, Peter Rubner from Rubner Holding AG, Hannes Baumgartner from Fercam AG Logistics Transport and with 2018 Progress Group

from Liechtenstein:
Hannes Arnold, Johannes Gasser and Thomas Nigg from Gasser Partner Rechtsanwälte, Florian Marxer Attorney-at-Law, Hans Brunhart from ECAG Euroconsult AG

from Luxembourg:
Jacques Lanners from Ceratizit SA Luxembourg, and the Luxembourg Ministry of Education

Supporters:
Günter Andergassen, Dieter Bachmann, Helmut Bachmann, Matthias Bank, Konrad Bergmeister, Martin Beyer, Anton Bodner, Hellmut Buchroithner, Olof Echt, Johannes Erben, Gerhard Brandstätter, Heinz Fischer, Franz Fischler, Josef Fontana, Esther Fritsch, Helmut Fröhlich, Frühauf Wolf, Gröbner Peter, Ivo Hajnal, Roland Hebbel, Oswald Hollmann, Andreas Hörtnagl, Peter Lau, Rüdiger Lex, Klaus Liebscher, Christoph Mader, Tilmann Märk, Brigitte Mazohl, Hans Moser, Luise Müller, Erwin Niederwieser, Leonhard Paulmichl, Karl Pichler, Roland Psenner, Peter Georg Julius Pulzer, Maria Rosa Reinalter-Treffer, Werner Ritter, Matthias Rotach, Herbert Sauerwein, Christian Smekal, Ingeborg Schwan, Severin Schwan, Bernd Stampfer, Barbara Tasser, Karlheinz Töchterle, Günther Unterleitner, Wendelin Weingartner, Ernst Wunderbaldinger, Bruno Buchberger, Ludwig Call, Marjan Cescutti, Andreas Minigsdorfer, Norbert Nessler, Heribert Renn, Alois Partl, Maria Schmeiß-Kubat, Franka Schmidt, Maria Scholz Neuner, Wolfgang Schütz, Werner Schwarz, Werner Sigl, Martina Stanek-Hellrigl, Margareth Volgger, Franz Vranitzky, Karl Zeller, Evelyn Oberleiter, Günther Reifer, Gert Ammann, Martin Purtscher

Time for 1669 with Jean Asselborn on 23 October 2017

European politics at the Förderkreis

Jean Asselborn, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Minister for Immigration and Asylum of Luxembourg as well as a pronounced European politician, was a guest of the Sponsors' Association in Innsbruck at the end of October as part of the event series "Time for 1669", which is exclusively open to sponsors.

The longest-serving European foreign minister of all gave those present a glimpse behind the scenes of European politics in a private lecture on the topic: "Event of the century or peanuts: where is Europe heading after Brexit and the refugee crisis?"

In a tour d'horizon, Mr Asselborn touched on many of Europe's current and burning issues and answered questions from supporters of the sponsorship group. In his remarks, he expressed concern about the loss of solidarity among the member states of the Union, which has become apparent in the handling of refugees and the Brexit decision, among other things.

Asselborn emphasised that the European idea is more than the sum of the individual interests of the member states or their regions. However, he also recognised that there was a need for reform within the EU. Much would now depend on how a future new German government would act towards the EU and to what extent the proposals of Emmanuel Macron or Jean-Claude Juncker would fall on fertile ground there.

As part of the "Zeit für 1669" (Time for 1669) format, distinguished personalities are invited to speak about politics and society as well as contemporary issues. Once a year, current topics are discussed in a small, exclusive circle and different points of view are highlighted.

2nd birthday party on 03 November 2017

The support group celebrated its second birthday. The successful initiative of the University of Innsbruck was able to present a whole range of new supporters. Coordinator Sabina Kasslatter-Mur also presented the projects supported this year.

Eine große Besucherschar gratulierte zum zweiten Geburtstag.

More than 60 guests from the university and the circle of sponsors came to the ceremony last Friday in the auditorium, where the sponsored students spoke first. For example, the students of the CTM motorsport team expressed their gratitude for the support provided for their elaborate construction of a form student racing car. The coordinator of the first MINT summer technology centre, Ramona Huber, presented the successful initiative, which aims to inspire schoolgirls for the MINT field. The funding group also supported doctoral programmes, visiting professorships and conference trips by young scientists as well as prototype developments and a didactics project for mathematics lessons. New Sabina Kaslatter-Mur and Tilmann Märk table furniture, which was also financed by the sponsorship organisation, has also recently been made available to students in the common areas of some university buildings.

Rector Tilmann Märk was delighted that the initiative to establish a regional network of sponsors and supporters had been so well received. A very interesting dialogue has already developed with this network. "It is important for us to listen to external opinions," emphasised Rector Märk, who then outlined some future topics for the university, pointing out the pressing shortage of space, the challenges of digitalisation and the upcoming anniversary in 2019.

Coordinator Sabina Kasslatter-Mur introduced the members of the Sponsors' Association from North and East Tyrol, South Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. Afterwards, business economist Kerstin Neumann, political scientist Gerhard Mangott and physicist Hanns-Christoph Nägerl gave fascinating insights into their respective fields of research. The crowning glory of the very successful birthday celebration was the lighting of the candles on the birthday cake.

And we are delighted that the support group has grown again.
In addition to the founders, who have been supporting projects through their commitment since 2015, and the members, who have been actively involved since 2016, we warmly welcome new sponsors from the business world.

from North Tyrol: Daka GmbH & Co KG, Weinberg Bauträger & Projektentwicklungs GmbH, Ing. Hans Bodner Baugesellschaft m.b.H. & Co KG, Privatquelle Gruber GmbH & Co KG, Der Bäcker Ruetz GmbH, Spar Österreichische Warenhandels AG

from East Tyrol: Unterweger Früchteküche GmbH, Bertsch Holding GmbH, Rondo Ganahl AG

from South Tyrol: Fercam AG Logistics Transport

from Liechtenstein: ECAG Euroconsult AG

Special thanks also go to all private individuals, personalities who are connected to the university and whose support helps to build bridges between science and society.
The following joined the Sponsors' Circle in 2017: Mathias Bank, Olof Echt, Heinz Fischer, Roland Hebbel, Oswald Hollmann, Peter Lau, Klaus Liebscher, Christoph Mader, Peter George Julius Pulzer, Herbert Sauerwein, Bernd Stampfer.

Discussion with Frank-Walter Steinmeier on 24 March 2016

Frank-Walter Steinmeier discusses with members of the Sponsors' Association at university sponsor Loacker AG. This was reported on in the university magazine wissenswert:

worth knowing april 2016

In dialogue: our University of Innsbruck 2016plus! on 01 June

Supporters of the University meet the Rector's team of the University of Innsbruck. This was reported on in the university magazine wissenswert:

worth knowing june 2016

1st birthday party on 24 November 2016

The Förderkreis 1669 - Wissenschafft Gesellschaft of the University of Innsbruck celebrated its first anniversary with a ceremony on 24 November 2016. The guest of honour was former Federal President Heinz Fischer.

The initiators are satisfied, proud and happy about the first year of the University of Innsbruck's 1669 Society for the Promotion of Science. The first anniversary was duly celebrated yesterday in the university auditorium. The idea of promoting the transfer of science to society and the economy with concrete projects and thus increasing the importance of the University of Innsbruck has already been very successful since the foundation of the support group a year ago.

In addition to the founding members of the support group, Rector Tilmann Märk and Honorary Senator Sabina Kasslattter-Mur, who coordinates the support group with Daniela Gruber, also welcomed former Federal President Heinz Fischer. He emphasised the importance of such networks, whose members provide significant support to universities. He also took the opportunity to light the first candle of the birthday cake.

Saying thank you and building bridges

The celebration in the auditorium of the University of Innsbruck also offered the opportunity to thank all members of the Förderkreis for their support and trust. The measures and projects that were realised in the first year were also presented. Students presented their projects and reported on their study visit to the renowned summer university at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, which was financed by the Sponsors' Association. Thanks to the Sponsorship Circle, it will be possible to establish two guest professorships in Innsbruck in the coming summer semester. In addition, two students from Nigeria and Uganda will be able to take part in the university programme "Peace, Development, Security and International Conflict Transformation". This is a cooperation project between the University of Innsbruck and UNESCO. "We are also very proud to be able to welcome new members to the Sponsors' Association," says Sabina Kasslatter-Mur. The founding members, 24 well-known companies from North Tyrol, East Tyrol, Vorarlberg, South Tyrol, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, have been joined by new representatives from business and culture in the first year. A central concern of the Sponsors' Association is also to build bridges between science and research on the one hand and society on the other. The knowledge and expertise available at the university should continue to be communicated to the outside world.

Out of conviction and appreciation for the University of Innsbruck, we have been involved from the very beginning:

Jacques Lanners, Ceratizit from Luxembourg, the lawyers Johannes Gasser and Florian Marxer from Liechtenstein, cable car manufacturer Michael Doppelmayr from the group of companies of the same name, textile entrepreneur Georg Comploj from Getzner, Mutter & Cie, Fruit juice producer Jürgen Rauch from Vorarlberg, Franz Kraler from Hella in East Tyrol, from South Tyrol: Ulrich Ladurner from Dr Schär, Hans Oberrauch, Finstral, Michael Seeber, Leitner Group, Christine Zuenelli-Loacker from Loacker, Haidrun Achammer-Kasslatter from Markas, Heiner Oberrauch from Salewa-Oberalp and Christof Oberrauch, Technicon with Durst and Alupress.

The North Tyrolean founders are: Andrea Berghofer, Adlerlacke, Eduard Fröschl, Fröschlbau, Ingeborg Hochmair, Med-El, Oswald Mayr, Montavit, Manfred Pletzer, Pletzergruppe, von Schretter & Cie. Reinhard Schretter, also President of the Federation of Austrian Industries; the Vice President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Martha Schultz from the Schultz Group, Manfred Swarovski from Swarco, Markus Langes-Swarovski for Swarovski and Kommerzialrat Arthur Thöni complete the support group.

New members in 2016:

from North Tyrol: Fritz Egger GmbH, Bank für Tirol und Vorarlberg, Neue Heimat Tirol, Tiroler Rohre, Bartenbach, Sandoz, Physiotherm, Viking, Studia GmbH; from Vorarlberg: Henn; from South Tyrol: Alimco, Rubner Holding, Rechtsanwaltsozietät Brandstätter, Hager & Partner, Ewo

In addition, the circle of sponsors has steadily expanded in its first year thanks to the support of personalities from society, culture, education and the environment:

Tilmann Märk, Ivo Hajnal, Erwin Niederwieser, Christian Smekal, Brigitte Mazohl, Peter Gröbner, Luise Müller, Konrad Bergmeister, Anton Bodner, Ernst Wunderbaldinger, Roland Psenner, Barbara Tasser, Mathias Rotach, Günther Unterleitner, Werner Ritter, Leonhard Paulmichl, Karl Pichler, Esther Fritsch, Severin Schwan, Ingeborg Schwan, Helmut Fröhlich, Wolf Frühauf, Robert Klien, Andreas Hörtnagl, Martin Purtscher, Werner Plunger, Franz Fischler, Karlheinz Töchterle, Wendelin Weingartner, Gerhard Brandstätter, Hellmut Buchroithner, Günther Andergassen, Dietmar Bachmann, Hans Moser, Brigitte Sabine Fox-Beyer, Josef Karl Fontana.

Founding ceremony on 24 November 2015

1669 WissenschafftGesellschaft
Sponsoring organisation of the University of Innsbruck

North Tyrol, East and South Tyrol as well as Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg are among the traditional catchment areas: the first 24 sponsors of the new Sponsors' Association also come from these countries.

Rector Tilmann Märk was particularly pleased with the support of the well-known personalities on the occasion of the official founding of the Sponsors' Association: "Our university would do well to actively seek dialogue with society. To do this, we need strong partners to accompany us along the way and help us build bridges. The newly founded Förderkreis 1669 - Wissenschafft Gesellschaft, whose name is both a mission and a programme, pursues precisely this goal: listening and talking to each other, encouraging and challenging, asking critical questions and achieving more together."

Sabina Kasslatter-Mur, Honorary Senator of the University, has coordinated the Sponsors' Circle from the very beginning:
"The Sponsors' Circle contributes to the further development and anchoring of science, research and education in our society." Over the next few months, the support group will be extended and expanded to include other prestigious individuals and partners from all areas of social life.

worth knowing february 2016with the first 24 sponsors

Brochureon the founding of the sponsorship organisation in 1669

Out of conviction and appreciation for the University of Innsbruck, they have been involved right from the start:

Jacques Lanners, Ceratizit from Luxembourg, the lawyers Johannes Gasser and Florian Marxer from Liechtenstein, cable car manufacturer Michael Doppelmayr from the group of companies of the same name, textile entrepreneur Georg Comploj from Getzner, Mutter & Cie, Fruit juice producer Jürgen Rauch from Vorarlberg, Franz Kraler from Hella in East Tyrol, from South Tyrol: Ulrich Ladurner from Dr Schär, Hans Oberrauch, Finstral, Michael Seeber, Leitner Group, Christine Zuenelli-Loacker from Loacker, Haidrun Achammer-Kasslatter from Markas, Heiner Oberrauch from Salewa-Oberalp and Christof Oberrauch, Technicon with Durst and Alupress.

The North Tyrolean founders are: Andrea Berghofer, Adlerlacke, Eduard Fröschl, Fröschlbau, Ingeborg Hochmair, Med-El, Oswald Mayr, Montavit, Manfred Pletzer, Pletzergruppe, von Schretter & Cie. Reinhard Schretter, also President of the Federation of Austrian Industries; the Vice President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Martha Schultz from the Schultz Group, Manfred Swarovski from Swarco, Markus Langes-Swarovski for Swarovski and Kommerzialrat Arthur Thöni complete the circle of sponsors.