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It is one of the highest academic awards that the Graz University of Technology can bestow: the honorary senatorial, which has been awarded to more than 50 people since 1957. According to the statute, “prominent personalities outside the ‘universities that have made a special contribution to the Graz University of Technology and to the promotion of its scientific, technical and cultural tasks “.
The latest addition to TU Graz’s circle of honorary senators is Hermann Schützenhöfer: the former governor of Styria was awarded on 28 October at an academic ceremony in the TU Graz auditorium.
news-text-quote">“With this honor, we show our appreciation for Hermann Schützenhöfer’s many years of reliable and vehement support and the promotion of the Styrian university and research landscape”, he thanked him. Rector Harald Kainz and stressed in his speech: “He made a significant contribution to the positive development of the Graz University of Technology, with insight and understanding of the special challenges and tasks of a technical university.”
news-text-quote">Herman Schuetzenhoferwho in his words of thanks described the Graz University of Technology as the “flagship of research in Styria” was visibly moved: “As a child I didn’t make it in the cradle, now at 71 I am an honorary senator from one of the largest and strongest universities in Styria to become a country. This dignity is a great pleasure and honor for me “.
Promotion of the Styrian spirit of innovation and pioneer
During his time as deputy and interim governor, Hermann Schützenhöfer supported Styria’s universities, colleges and research institutes with great understanding and vision for the necessary developments.
According to the question for honor, Hermann Schützenhöfer always wanted to preserve the innovative and pioneering spirit for Styria and thus follow the example of the former ruler and founder of TU Graz, Archduke Johann. In many cases, this has benefited the Graz University of Technology in particular. Hermann Schützenhöfer has continually stressed the role of science and repeatedly stressed the importance of research in his speeches and presentations. Without the monetary and non-monetary support of the province of Styria, it would not have been possible to invest in the COMET centers of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), to finance equipped chairs in future fields or to finance large infrastructures.
Two of the most recent examples of Hermann Schützenhöfer’s emphatic personal support are the establishment of the Graz Physics Center as a joint headquarters of the Physics Institutes of the Graz University of Technology and the University of Graz and the targeted funding of hydrogen research from the Graz University of Technology from federal funds.
Biographical sketch: Hermann Schützenhöfer
Hermann Schützenhöfer began his professional career as the secretary of state of the young ÖVP Styria in 1970 and ended his political career in 2022 as long-time governor of Styria. Meanwhile he was State Secretary of the Austrian Federation of Workers and Workers (ÖAAB) Styria, Chamber Councilor of the Chamber of Workers and Employees for Styria, Member of the Styrian Parliament, Provincial Councilor, Provincial Deputy Governor and for many years club and provincial party chairman of the ÖVP Styria.
