Klagenfurt celebrates: First rector Ada Pellert brings a fresh wind!

Klagenfurt celebrates: First rector Ada Pellert brings a fresh wind!

Klagenfurt, Österreich - A historical moment for the Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt: Ada Pellert was ceremoniously introduced as the first principal in the 55-year history of the university. At the ceremony, which was accompanied by 500 guests, her predecessor Oliver Vitouch symbolically presented the chain of offenses. The new Minister of Science Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) described the day as "historical" and praised Pellert as a "bonus" for the university because she is the first woman in this position. When she took office, Pellert expressed the desire to promote networking and cooperation beyond the federal state. "Carinthia has the potential to shine as a university location," she emphasized.

In her inaugural speech, Pellert spoke about the need for disciplinary multilingualism and innovative study opportunities. "The university should become a place of encounter," she said, referring to urgent social issues such as climate change and artificial intelligence. These challenges required cooperation between science and social forces to be addressed effectively. Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ) emphasized the importance of international visibility and encouraged "unshakable optimism" for the future development of the region. Pellets comprehensive experience in the field of university formation and their vision of promoting an innovation culture were received very positively by the festival speakers, including ÖH chairwoman Lena Zechmann.

The path of the 63-year-old rector is remarkable: born in Bruck an der Mur in 1962, her doctorate in business administration and habilitated in 1998 in organizational development at the University of Klagenfurt. She led her career through various leading positions at several German universities, including the German University for Continuing Education in Berlin and the FernUniversität Hagen, where she was rector until 2023. With her return to the University of Klagenfurt, Pellert wants to herald a new era in which science, society and international networking go hand in hand. The focus is on sustainable developments and the exchange with the Alpen-Adria room, such as Puls24.at reported.

In addition, Pellert demanded that the university should become a place where people are proud of the academic achievements and that social discourse is promoted. "It needs curiosity, courage and a future -oriented way of thinking," says Pellert, who decisively advocates a one -sided mentality and strives for a cross -area perspective. According to orf.at , her first weeks are shaped as rector by a positive feedback from the students who are impressed by their quick recognition and solving problems.