MCI elects Chairman of the Supervisory Board

With the unanimous re-election of the previous Chairman Oswald Wolkenstein, the MCI Supervisory Board has decided in favour of continuity. This is an impressive confirmation of the prudent, steady hand and high level of commitment shown by the long-standing Managing Director of the Industry and Banking and Insurance divisions of the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce. Oswald Wolkenstein has chaired the Supervisory Board since it was first established in 2020 and had previously chaired the Corporate Advisory Board of the Entrepreneurial ^School® since 2016.

Michael Mairhofer, Managing Director of the Federation of Austrian Industries Tyrol, was unanimously elected Deputy Chairman. He succeeds Wolfgang Eichinger in this role, who has also held the deputy chairmanship since 2020 and previously led the Advisory Board of the MCI University of Applied Sciences with great skill and success for over 14 years.

Wolfgang Eichinger is stepping down from the Supervisory Board at his own request after resigning - also at his own request - from his long-standing chairmanship of the "Förderverein Technik" in order to pass it on to younger hands. Wolfgang Eichinger's many years of experience in top positions in the domestic construction industry and his high level of expertise in the development of complex projects were of essential importance for the successful development of the MCI.

Statements:

Governor Anton Mattle: "Congratulations to Oswald Wolkenstein and Michael Mairhofer on their new positions and many thanks for the close and excellent cooperation between the province and the Entrepreneurial ^School® MCI. It is good to know that we have such high-quality educational and scientific institutions in the province, which are also supported by the local population and our economy. I look forward to continued good cooperation in the areas of education, research and innovation."

Mayor Georg Willi: "Oswald Wolkenstein and Michael Mairhofer have a great deal of experience on the MCI's committees and I am delighted that they will continue to contribute their extensive expertise to the Supervisory Board. This expertise is of the utmost importance right now in connection with the new MCI building. I wish the new chairmanship every success and would like to thank Wolfgang Eichinger for his many years of service to the MCI."

Oswald Wolkenstein: "With the MCI, we have a highly successful 'Entrepreneurial ^School®' that is the envy of Tyrol and Austria internationally. The path we have taken with the guiding principles of quality, internationality and innovation must be continued with entrepreneurial dynamism. I am very grateful for the trust placed in me by my colleagues on the Supervisory Board and look forward to continuing my work with a highly committed team."

Michael Mairhofer: "The MCI is an important partner for domestic industry and for us is a centre of strength for technology, innovation, business proximity and performance orientation and enjoys an excellent international reputation. This potential must be utilised and I will gladly devote my energy to the further positive development of the Entrepreneurial ^School®."

Wolfgang Eichinger: "I have enjoyed my role for many years. With 3,500 students, 15,000 alumni, 300 partner universities, extensive research achievements and 4,000 applications for one of the coveted study places every year, the MCI is a leading star in the Austrian science and education landscape. Now it is time to finally realise the MCI Campus, which has been promised for many years, so that the success story can continue."

Jakob Grüner, Chairman of the MCI General Assembly: "The success of the MCI and its reputation depend very much on the people who work tirelessly and with a great deal of know-how, time and passion to make the MCI what it is: an internationally recognised and well-known Entrepreneurial ^School® that promotes Tyrol as a business, science and research location and is good for the provincial capital of Innsbruck. In Wolfgang Eichinger, a person is leaving the Supervisory Board to whom the MCI and its sponsors owe a debt of gratitude for his many years of service. At the same time, I am delighted that with the re-election of Oswald Wolkenstein and the new election of Michael Mairhofer, very experienced people are still at work."

Andreas Altmann, MCI Rector: "As a member of the Supervisory Board of a university, you not only have a lot of work on your desk and shoulders, which often involves evenings and weekends, but also take on enormous responsibility. This is probably particularly the case at an 'Entrepreneurial ^School®' such as the MCI, which is characterised by a wealth of ideas, innovative projects and a constantly growing volume of business. All the more reason to appreciate the commitment of all members of the Supervisory Board and, above all, the enormous dedication of the Supervisory Board chair team and to thank the outgoing Deputy Chairman Wolfgang Eichinger for his many years of tireless work and constructive endeavours."