Viktoria Weber will be the new Rector of the University for Continuing Education Krems in 2025

The University Council of the University for Continuing Education Krems has elected Viktoria Weber as the new rector of the University of Krems. After an international selection process, the Senate submitted a shortlist of three candidates to the University Council. Viktoria Weber, currently Vice-Rector for Research and Sustainable Development at the University for Continuing Education Krems, convinced the University Council with her expertise and experience, as well as her ideas for the future development of the university. The four-year term of office begins on August 1, 2025.

In its meeting on October 15, 2024, the University Council of the University for Continuing Education Krems unanimously elected Prof.Viktoria Weber as the new rector for a four-year term starting in August 2025. This was preceded by an international application process in which 13 candidates, both from Austria and from other countries, applied. The election was based on a shortlist of three candidates proposed by the Senate, with Viktoria Weber being ranked first. She will succeed Rector Friedrich Faulhammer, who had already announced at the beginning of 2024 that he would not be available for a further, fourth term of office.

"We are delighted that Viktoria Weber, an outstanding scientist with proven national and international management and leadership experience, will be taking over the future lead of the University for Continuing Education Krems. She has impressed us with her competence, foresight and strong implementation skills, as well as with her concept of further developing the university's existing strengths and providing new impetus to expand the university's thematic leadership in academic continuing education. In times of numerous challenges for society and universities, a strong and efficient University for Continuing Education Krems is needed in the future to effectively address the issues of our time," said Martina Höllbacher, chairwoman of the University Council of the University for Continuing Education Krems.

About Viktoria Weber

Dr. Viktoria Weber is a university professor of medical biochemistry and Vice-Rector for Research and Sustainable Development at the University for Continuing Education Krems, as well as head of the Department for Biomedical Research.

She has many years of national and international management and governance experience. For example, she is currently deputy chair of the Research Forum of Universities Austria (uniko), on the board of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, on the supervisory board of Vienna Biocenter Core Facilities, in the FWF Assembly of Delegates and on the Advisory Board for research infrastructure development in the context of the European Research Area for the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. Furthermore, she is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Austrian Research Foundation, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Leibniz-Sozietät für Wissenschaften zu Berlin, a member of the Executive Committee of the European Society for Artificial Organs (ESAO) and President of the Austrian Society for Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology.

She has held various positions at the University for Continuing Education Krems since 1999, including head of the CD Laboratory for Innovative Therapeutic Approaches in Sepsis. Viktoria Weber has been a member of the Rectorate and Vice-Rector since 2010.