Deutsch
English
ItalianoIn keeping with a good tradition, the new academic year at the Entrepreneurial School® also begins with a top-class guest. This time it is the European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, who is responsible for innovation, research, education, youth and culture and is thus predestined to open a university year.
In the Congress Innsbruck, which was filled to capacity with more than 1,200 guests, EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel was welcomed by MCI Rector Andreas Altmann before she addressed the question "How can Europe remain competitive?" in her rousing speech.
Europe's strengths as success factors
"We have to recognise and define our strengths and invest in them," Mariya Gabriel clarified at the beginning of her lecture. In doing so, she went into four areas in which she sees Europe's greatest strengths: Science, Industry, Education and Innovation. She underlines Europe's leading position in some sectors of these areas and promises to continue to invest in them vigorously. She also mentions "Horizon Europe" several times, the world's largest funding programme for research and innovation, which is intended to help Europe make significant progress in the fields mentioned.
The EU Commissioner emphasises that the focus in all areas is on Europe's young people. "It is up to us to shape the framework conditions for young people and to give them opportunities," said Gabriel. In order to remain competitive and promote independence in industry, special attention is to be paid to start-ups and small businesses.
Overall, however, the key lies in Europe's education: "Europe can be proud. We have excellent universities and colleges." Thus, he said, there is a need to continue to focus on European universities and higher education alliances that provide the necessary competitive skills to young people. "We are lucky to have an entrepreneurial university like the MCI in Innsbruck," said Mariya Gabriel: "You are drivers, you bring Europe forward, you are shapers of a 'European University' and serve as role models when it comes to harnessing potential and turning it into strengths."
Even though Europe leads the world in several areas of science, industry and education, Europe's full potential still needs to be realised in the area of innovation. With the new wave of "deep tech innovations", Gabriel sees now as exactly the right time to do so: "Let's seize the opportunity to transform Europe into an international 'Power House'."
Talent is Europe's "flagship"
For Mariya Gabriel it is clear: "Yes, Europe is internationally competitive!" But only as long as Europe continues to invest powerfully in young talent, shaping them into entrepreneurial personalities, allowing them to make mistakes along the way and instilling in them common European values and a European identity.
Finally, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel addressed the students in the audience: "We trust in you and want to listen to you. Tell us how we can help you realise your dreams and make Europe 'your home'. With you at the helm, we can make sustainable progress in science, education and research."