Oliver Vitouch, rector of Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt, was elected new President of Universities Austria during the organization’s latest plenary meeting. Oliver Vitouch replaces Sonja Hammerschmid, who stepped down as President on May 17 to dedicate herself fully to her new position as Austrian Minister of Education. Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger, previously a co-opted member of the board of Universities Austria, was elected Vice President and full board member of Universities Austria. Her term of office will expire at the end of 2017.

“I’m convinced that my vice-presidency of Universities Austria will further strengthen WU’s position in the Austrian higher education landscape, helping WU and Austria’s public universities in general to represent their interests more effectively and shape the political agenda in the field of higher education,” said Rector Hanappi-Egger, commenting on her new position.