FORWIT hosted its first New Year’s reception
The new Council for Sciences, Technology, and Innovation decides on work topics for 2024, Schwaag Serger elected Deputy Chair.
Following the first ordinary session of the Council for Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (FORWIT), which was appointed in November, the members of the Council invited representatives of the Austrian STI system to their first New Year’s reception. In the presence of Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler and Federal Ministers Martin Polaschek and Martin Kocher, Council Chairman Thomas Henzinger gave an outlook on the topics that the Council will be focussing on this year.
Today, we have laid the foundation for our ambitious 2024 work programme.
Thomas Henzinger, Chairman
“‘In our first session of the Council today, we laid the foundation for our 2024 work programme. This year’s focus will be on developing possible future scenarios and examining the resilience and antifragility of the existing STI system. We will also draw up recommendations for the use of the Future Austria Fund and for the development of the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. And in view of the National Council elections this year, we will provide input for the next federal government’s programme.” In addition, Henzinger continued, the STI Monitor 2024 will be published in May, with which the Council will measure the performance of the Austrian STI system and create an evidence-based foundation for decision-makers and stakeholders.
Sylvia Schwaag Serger elected Deputy Chairwoman
Bold, innovative measures and the willingness to take risks are needed in order to successfully overcome the social, economic and geopolitical challenges.
Sylvia Schwaag Serger, Deputy Chairwoman
The council also unanimously elected Sylvia Schwaag Serger as Deputy Chairwoman. “I am delighted—especially in view of the triple transition, i.e. the green, digital and social transformation—to be able to make my contribution to strategically shaping Austria’s STI and science policy as Deputy Chairwoman. After all, bold, innovative measures and the willingness to take risks are needed to successfully overcome the social, economic and geopolitical challenges we face—and to effectively seize future opportunities.”
About FORWIT
FORWIT, the successor organisation to the former Council for Research and Technology Development (RFTE) and the Austrian Science Council, pools the advisory expertise for the federal government in the areas of research, science, innovation and technology development. Under the chairmanship of Thomas Henzinger, the council comprises twelve nationally and internationally recognised experts whose task it is now to support the federal government in an advisory capacity to increase Austria’s innovative strength and strengthen its competitiveness as a business location.
