30 Years of MCI: Anniversary Event Marks Major Milestone

MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® celebrates its 30th anniversary with 800 guests at the House of Music Innsbruck | Three decades of innovation, research & entrepreneurship

MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^® celebrated its 30th anniversary with an impressive anniversary program at the House of Music Innsbruck. Together with 800 guests from around the world – including distinguished representatives from politics, business, and academia, as well as faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners – MCI reflected on key milestones, defining moments, and achievements from three decades of higher education development while simultaneously looking ahead to the future.

“Thirty years of MCI stand for the courage to innovate, entrepreneurial thinking, and the ambition to effectively connect education, research, technology, and entrepreneurship. This anniversary is, above all, an opportunity to thank everyone who initiated, supported, and accompanied this extraordinary success story,” said Andreas Altmann, Rector of MCI.

Looking Back on Three Decades of Pioneering Spirit

The anniversary celebrations began with an internationally renowned ceremonial event under the motto “30 Years of Pioneering Spirit: Past. Present. Future.” A journey through MCI’s history paid tribute to the individuals who have shaped and supported The Entrepreneurial School^® since its foundation.

The panel discussion featured Herwig van Staa, former Mayor of Innsbruck; Ferdinand Eberle, former Deputy Governor of Tyrol; Fritz Dinkhauser, former President of the Tyrol Chamber of Labour; and Manfried Gantner, former Rector of the University of Innsbruck.

The panel was preceded by inspiring video messages and greetings from leading figures in science, politics, and society, including Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, European Commissioner Magnus Brunner, President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Faßmann, Governor of Tyrol Anton Mattle, and Mayor of Innsbruck Johannes Anzengruber, among others.

“What has distinguished MCI over the past 30 years are the people behind this success story. Together with approximately 3,700 students, more than 18,000 alumni, 500 employees, over 1,000 lecturers, 300 partner universities worldwide, and numerous research and corporate partners, a unique network has emerged that continues to shape the institution and extends far beyond the borders of Tyrol,” said Franz Pegger, Head of the MCI Academic Council.

“I am particularly delighted that we were able to honor the visionary individual who first conceived the idea of establishing MCI as a complementary pillar to the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences at the University of Innsbruck, initiated the key preparatory steps, and supported and accompanied MCI over many years: former University Rector Manfried Gantner,” emphasized Oswald Wolkenstein, Chairman of the MCI Supervisory Board.

Focus on the Region’s Future

A special highlight of the anniversary celebration was the symposium “The Future of the Region”, which focused on key questions concerning the development of higher education institutions, competitiveness, and international cooperation.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. h.c. Katherina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany. In the subsequent panel discussion, “Beyond a University,” distinguished representatives from politics, academia, and business explored the future of education, research, entrepreneurship, and regional development.

Participants included Alexander Schallenberg, former Federal Chancellor and former Federal Minister of the Republic of Austria; Martin Kocher, Governor of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank; Martha Schultz, President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber; and Franz Fischler, former European Commissioner and former President of the European Forum Alpbach.

“Since its foundation, MCI has evolved from a visionary idea into an internationally recognized institution of higher education. Through its consistent focus on practice-oriented education, entrepreneurship, innovation, internationalization, and academic excellence, MCI has become one of the most distinguished higher education institutions in the German-speaking world and makes a significant contribution to the development of business and society. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement,” said Prof. h.c. Franz Fischler.

Through numerous personal encounters, memorable moments, and inspiring conversations, the anniversary celebration not only paid tribute to a 30-year success story but also reaffirmed the values of courage, commitment, and vision as the foundation for MCI’s future development.