June 5, 2019
IST Austria – 10 years of world-class basic research in Klosterneuburg
More than 300 invited guests celebrated 10-year anniversary
The Institute of Science and Technology (IST Austria) was opened in 2009 and has since then become one of the leading research institutes of the world. More than 300 invited guests from science, politics and economy celebrated its 10-year anniversary, held yesterday evening in the Raiffeisen Lecture Hall on the IST Austria Campus in Klosterneuburg. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner congratulated IST Austria and also enjoyed an evening full of interesting conversation, excellent food and musial performances by a band of Vienna trumpet players.
The renowned computer scientist and president of the IST Austria Thomas Henzinger opened the festive evening by thanking all companions and professors of the IST Austria: “We succeeded in creating a campus for excellent, curiosity-driven research. An ERC success rate of 50 percent among institutions of more than 30 groups makes us number one in Europe. Our success is based on the structures we built and the commitment of our staff. We achieved many milestones in the last ten years–in science, recruiting, construction, grants, and fundraising–but IST Austria still holds big visions for the future.”
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen congratulated IST Austria President Tom Henzinger on the 10-year anniversary: “Austria produced many world-class scientists, and it is great to have a place like IST Austria in Austria, where national and international big shots in science get together.”
Lower Austrian State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner also expressed her pride in IST Austria: “Research institutes like IST Austria strengthen the location, make our country attractive for new companies and are a fertile soil for innovation and highly qualified work places. We are glad that world-class research has been conducted in Klosterneuburg since ten years. Congratulations to IST Austria.”
President and Rector of the “Central European University” Michael Ignatieff delivered a talk on the “Science in challenging times”, underlining the importance and freedom of science.
The talk was followed by an exciting panel discussion on the relationship of science and society, with the participation of scientific big shots such as Thomas Henzinger; Edith Heard, Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL); Alice Dautry, former President of Institut Pasteur; Daniel Zajfmann, President of the Weizmann Institute in Israel and Michael Igantieff.
After the official part was over, State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, IST Austria President Tom Henzinger and Claus J. Raidl, Chair of the Board of Trustees at IST Austria, sliced an anniversary cake and wrapped up the celebration by enjoying the music with the other guests.
IST Austria looks back on 10 successful years
In June 2009 IST Austria was opened with four professors. Today the institute has approx. 700 employees. More than 50 professors and 180 PhD students perform basis research in the natural and mathematical sciences. By 2026, IST Austria will have almost 100 professors and 1’000 employees.
The following people were among the guests of the 10-year anniversary:
- Georg Kapsch, President of Federation of Austrian Industries
- Franz Fischler, European Forum Alpbach
- Margit Kraker, President of Austrian Court of Audit
- Peter Oswald, Mondi Group
- Veit Sorger, Mondi Group
- Günther Ofner, Vienna International Airport
- Elisabeth Stadler, Vienna Insurance Group
- Anton Zeilinger, Quantum Physicist and Professor at University of Vienna
- Haim Harari, Board of Trustees at IST Austria
- Stefan Schmuckenschlager, Mayor of Klosterneuburg
