Die BOKU feiert 150 Jahre::Stabsstelle Öffentlichkeitsarbeit::Staff units::Rectorate::BOKU

Looking back at the history of the small university specialized in agriculture and forestry founded in 1872 and its rapid rise to becoming one of the most modern universities of life sciences in Europe, we are very proud. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOKU!

150 Years – Featuring Future.

In line with this slogan the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna celebrates its 150 year anniversary.

Sustainability is one of the most important requirements concerning our time and a topic that BOKU can convey in a particularly credible way as it is the only university in Austria that dedicates its entire research and teaching to the sustainable protection and future-oriented use of our natural resources as well as the design of our living environments.

During the anniversary year, we especially want to focus on the upcoming 150 Years – Featuring Future. Climate change, scarcity of resources, food safety – science has to address the critical areas of politics, the economy, administration and society and develop solutions that are relevant and applicable. And who could answer the major questions of the future better than a university like BOKU which distinguishes itself through its holistic approach to relevant problems?

Opening

31st of January

With the press conference, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna introduced the anniversary year 2022 to the public. The rectorate along with the BOKU Alumni Association as well as the sponsors, cooperation partners and media partners presented the upcoming highlights of the anniversary program. The livestream of the event can be found here.

24th & 25th of May 2022

As part of the 150 year celebrations the BOKU will present itself within the framework of a conference aimed at establishing a vision, inspiration and motivation for the future. BOKU researchers report on and discuss relevant topics together with well-known speakers, scientists and guests from the fields of politics, economics, arts and administration. Here, the BOKU will provide a forum for students, young researchers, BOKU start-ups and also the next BOKU generation.

24^th of May 2022

As a social side event to the Future Conference, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna invited guests to a festive gala evening at the Hofburg. ORF presenter Barbara Stöckl led through the evening with guests of honor from politics, science, business and the arts, musically framed by the ladies' quartet eXtracello. The highlight was the keynote speech by the Austrian writer Olga Flor.

29th of September 2022

At BOKU we not only research, teach and learn - we also live! On September 29^th, the BOKU will celebrate its milestone birthday with all of its members and the corresponding cuisine, bands, stage shows, award ceremonies, talent market, raffle and much more.

Festive Act

14^thOctober 2022

In the week of 10^th to 16^th October honorary awards will be given to renowned national and international scientists and personalities. On October 12^th, IFA Tulln will be holding their autumn festivity. On October 14^th, the ceremonial act with guests from the fields of politics and science will be taking place in the ceremonial hall of Gregor-Mendel-Haus. Furthermore, a work of art donated by the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (a real estate company) will be unveiled on the BOKU campus. On October 15th, the founding day of BOKU, the Alumni Association will be organizing the Alumni Day. In addition, the golden diplomas will be awarded by the rectorate.

Looking sustainably into the future.

It gives me great pleasure that we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna this year. In accordance with the motto of the anniversary year, we want above all to look ahead sustainably. Because research, teaching and studies at BOKU have always been oriented towards the future. I am therefore pleased that in 2022 we will be able to show how diverse and innovative our university is, and I cordially invite you to accompany us through the anniversary year 2022 and to celebrate BOKU's milestone birthday together with us!

Eva Schulev-Steindl
Rector of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna

In 2022 the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna celebrates its 150th anniversary

This gives us the chance to showcase our competences, achievements and visions in terms of research, teaching and societal responsibility to the broad public. I cordially invite you to celebrate with us “BOKU – 150 Years Featuring Future”. I would be pleased to welcome you at one of our numerous events.

Hubert Hasenauer
Rector of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna

150 years of Alma Mater Viridis! Founded in 1872 as „k. k. Hochschule für Bodencultur“, the BOKU has evolved into one of the leading life science universities in Europe.

We can look back at a success story full of excellent research and teaching. However, this special anniversary is also a chance and obligation to demonstrate the outstanding competences of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna to tackle the major societal challenges of the present and future.

Kurt Weinberger
Chair of the University Council

BOKU as a place of university education and discourse

Due to 150 years of excellent research-driven teaching imparted by dedicated colleagues and our unique interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary profile the BOKU became one of the leading universities of sustainability and life sciences in Europe. The demand for the appealing study programs is increasing even more due to the current improvements of the study conditions. BOKU is successfully training the experts and managers of tomorrow to face the global challenges.

Gerda Schneider
Chair of the Senate

With its research activities, student initiatives and numerous climate protection projects, BOKU is providing important impulses for a sustainable future.

BOKU arguably lives up to its original nickname as the "green university in the green" or "alma mater viridis". People associate it more than any other university in Austria with the concept of sustainability. That doesn't surprise me; after all, the term has its origins in forestry.Today, the logic behind the idea of not cutting down more trees than can grow back seems irrefutable to us. But in order to really implement this idea in all areas of life, extensive knowledge, intensive research and a lot of work are required. The road to implementation is often rocky. Nevertheless, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences has been on this path for 150 years - and with success, if one may say so! With its research activities, student initiatives and numerous climate protection projects, BOKU is providing important impulses for a sustainable future. And if you take a look at the new energy-efficient Tüwi building, for example, it is not only sweeping the proverbial house, but actually sweeping its own doorstep.

Alexander Van der Bellen
President of Austria

The complete greetings of the Austrian President can be found here: Greetings Van der Bellen

150 years of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna offer an opportunity for retrospection and reflection and are at the same time a good occasion to look ahead.

BOKU as a university of life and sustainability will continue to address socially relevant issues and needs, offer scientifically sound solutions and further develop civil society with its contributions. My thanks go to all university staff and students who contribute to BOKU's success with their work and knowledge. In this spirit, I warmly congratulate the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences on its 150th anniversary.

Martin Polaschek
Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research

Closely connected with Vienna

When the "k. k. Hochschule für Bodencultur" was founded in 1872, its purpose was to "provide the highest scientific education in agriculture and forestry". Today, as Mayor of Vienna, I can be proud of one of the best sustainability universities in Europe. The most important topics of our time are taught and researched here. Whether funding or research cooperation: the city goes hand in hand with BOKU into a sustainable future. Congratulations on the anniversary!

Michael Ludwig
Mayor of the City of Vienna

Successful partnership

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) on its 150th anniversary. BOKU is without a doubt one of the leading life science universities in Europe, and I am pleased that the province of Lower Austria is so closely associated with it. After all, the founding of the Department für Agrobiotechnology (IFA) in Tulln in 1994 was one of the milestones for us on the way to becoming an independent science state. Since then, Lower Austria has developed into an internationally recognized science location. Both the good partnership and the close friendship with BOKU have remained.

Johanna Mikl-Leitner
Governor of Lower Austria

A video greeting by Johanna Mikl-Leitner can be found here: Video greeting

Palais Schönborn on Laudongasse | 1872 – First location of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna | © Commemorative publication 60 Years University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Gregor-Mendel-Haus about 1900 | Opening 1896, designed for 350 students. Remarkable: The wind engine for the supply of industrial water | © Archive of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Wilhelm-Exner-Haus | Postcard of 1931 | Inscription: Sanatorium and hospital of the Wiener Kaufmannschaft – 1960 Handover to BOKU
[Translate to English:] IFA-Tulln | Interuniversitäres Forschungsinstitut für Agrarbiotechnologie (BOKU, Vetmeduni, TU Wien) | Seit 2004 Department für Agrarbiotechnologie der BOKU | Grundsteinlegung 1992 – Eröffnet 1994 | © Bernhard Staudt
Inge-Dirmhirn-Haus | University and Research Centre Tulln (UFT) | Groundbreaking 2009 – Opening 2011 | Expansion of the BOKU site Tulln to an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research centre | © Christoph Gruber | BOKU 2019
Ilse-Wallentin-Haus | Opening on Oktober 12th, 2020 | Efficient low-energy house, wood construction – klimaaktiv GOLD Standard | © Christoph Gruber | BOKU Medienstelle 2020

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(English subtitles can be enabled in the YouTube player)

An anniversary is always a good reason for bringing the (long-lasting) connection back into focus because: All of us together are BOKU and contribute to the great success story of this exceptional university.

Therefore, events taking place in the year 2022 - Grüner Salon, Lange Nacht der Forschung, major insitute events, concerts etc. – will be included in the anniversary program and promoted using the designated promotional material (anniversary logo, slogan, video,…).

Starting in autumn 2021, events can also be announced in the new BOKUweb event calender