Heinz W. Engl: Elected as Rector
| 07. März 2011
Heinz W. Engl has been elected as Rector of the University of Vienna.
On Friday, March 4, 2011, Heinz W. Engl has been elected as Rector of the University of Vienna for the period from October 2011 to September 2015. The mathematician, born in Linz, states: "In shaping its future, the university can build upon its strengths – excellent research in many fields, a unique scientific breadth and, above all, motivated employees and students."
As the University of Vienna wants to remain a European research university with world-wide reputation and assure the unity of education and research, Heinz W. Engl wishes to put effort into reaching a number of goals. First of all, he aims to increase the attractiveness of the university as a place to study, hence the improvement of the conditions for students. Furthermore the mathematician wishes to make more use of the breadth of knowledge that characterises the University of Vienna, both in research and in teaching programmes.
Incorporating teachers' education
A second aim is to incorporate the teachers' training for secondary education into the University. He states: "Every physics teacher should have had the chance to listen to a lecture of Anton Zeilinger."
Competiveness in research
To solidify the competiveness in research, Heinz W. Engl wants to improve the infrastructure as well as scientific and working conditions for researchers. To enable scientific careers he mentions a tenure track system, equal opportunity and high-calibre hirings.
Election of Vice Rectors
The next crucial step is the election of a team of Vice Rectors. On 13 May 2011, the Council plans to decide about Heinz W. Engl's proposal after hearing the Senate's opinion. Shortly afterwards, the new team will introduce themselves and their plans in several meetings to the whole university.
In order to build the strategic and financial basis for the next years, decisive preparatory steps have to be taken soon; this includes the formulation of the next Development Plan and the draft for the Performance/Budget Agreement with the government for 2013-2015.
"I will devote my best efforts to the benefit of the University of Vienna and hope for a good cooperation with all members and bodies of our university", the newly elected Rector concludes.