IST Austria Founding Father Haim Harari Receives Badge of Honor

In 2009 IST Austria opened its doors in Klosterneuburg. As one of the essential founding fathers, Haim Harari, the former president of the renowned Weizmann Institute in Israel, was instrumental in developing the institute. Now, Haim Harari received the Grand Decoration of Honor in Silver of the Republic of Austria for his commitment to Austrian research.

Professor Haim Harari developed the strategy that is still the “roadmap” for IST Austria today. He emphasized the importance of internationality, the independence of research, and the training of the next generation of researchers. From its foundation, Haim Harari led IST Austria until 2009, when Thomas Henzinger was elected as its first president. He was also one of the first members to be elected to the governing bodies of IST Austria. Haim Harari was a member of the Board of Trustees and chaired the Executive Committee for more than ten years.

In 2006, Haim Harari had already received the Cross of Honor for Science and Art 1st Class. Now the Presidium of IST Austria, Federal Minister Heinz Faßmann, and the Governor of Lower Austria Mikl-Leitner thanked Prof. Harari in the presentation of the “Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria” for his untiring commitment to the Austrian research location.