MCI Awards Honorary Professorship to Ban Ki-moon

The Entrepreneurial School® in Innsbruck honors the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Ban Ki-moon in recognition of his achievements for the MCI, his dedicated fight for freedom and democracy, the rule of law, good governance & poverty reduction, and his exemplary commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the world.

The MCI particularly acknowledges the many contributions that H.E. Ban Ki-moon has made to the Entrepreneurial School® within the context of Distinguished Guest Lectures, messages at graduation ceremonies, the development of scholarships for young students from all over the world, an annual summer school for “Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development”, and his long-standing fraternal connectedness. “These create valuable impulses for young people, open doors, connect people and institutions and support academic exchange, which benefits our university, our students, researchers and teachers, alumni, and stakeholders,” said MCI Rector Andreas Altmann in his introduction, praising the achievements of MCI Honorary Professor Ban Ki-moon.

The touching laudatory speech was held by former EU Ambassador Michael Reiterer, who emphasized among Ban Ki-moon's many achievements the development and anchoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the breakthrough at the climate conference in Paris (“no Planet B”), the establishment of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens in Vienna to train global change makers, and the promotion of women. “On that note, I see the MCI honorary professorship as an invitation and encouragement for you, esteemed Professor Ban, to continue your work as a mentor, promoter, and advisor and to pass on your valuable experience. Thank you for coming to Salzburg today. Rector Altmann and I hope to soon welcome you personally in Innsbruck!”

From now on, Ban Ki-moon would like to be addressed only as 'Professor BAN' or 'Professor Ban Ki-moon', as he wittily explained in his acceptance speech: “As Ambassador and UN Secretary-General, you are addressed as ‘Ambassador’, ‘Secretary General’ or ‘Excellency’. However, I have not been any of these for some time now. With 'Professor' I now have a suitable form of address again, which I am particularly pleased about. I have been awarded numerous honorary doctorates in my career, but never a professorship. I would like to thank the renowned MCI, which is known for its academic excellence and with which I have been associated for a long time, for the many years of wonderful collaboration and the honorable distinction!”

Prior to his appointment as UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon was a career diplomat at the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations. As the 8th UNSG, Ban Ki-moon was tasked with mobilizing world leaders on a range of emerging global challenges, from climate change and economic development to combating pandemics and increasing pressures on food, energy, and water. He played a leading role in achieving the landmark Paris Climate Agreement and, under his leadership, emerged the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.

Ban Ki-moon is currently Co-President of the Ban Ki-moon Center for Global Citizens (BKMC) in Vienna, which aims to help young people develop into responsible global citizens in line with the SDGs. In addition, he currently holds more than 20 positions, including the presidency and chairmanship of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) as well as the chairmanship of the Global Commission on Adaptation, the Ethics Commission of the International Olympic Committee, and the BOAO Forum in Asia. The Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens in Vienna inspires the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement through leaders and empowers young decision-makers.

The awarding of the MCI Honorary Professorship took place in the magnificent Max Reinhardt Library of the beautiful Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg. Among the illustrious guests were high-ranking decision-makers from business, science, politics, and society, including in particular Prof. Dr. Heinz Fischer, former Federal President of the Republic of Austria, former EU Commissioner Prof. Franz Fischler, the Korean Ambassador Ham Sangwook, the President of the Salzburg Global Seminar Ambassador Martin Weiss, the Head of the Ban Ki-moon Centre Vienna Monika Froehler, Ambassador Gregor Kössler from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Senator h.c. Dr. Martin Steinmeyer from the DFK (Deutscher Freundeskreis der Universitäten in Innsbruck), former Rector Martin Weichbold and Rector Bernhard Fügenschuh from the University of Salzburg, Spar Supervisory Board Chairman Gerhard Drexel, IV Salzburg Managing Director Irene Schulte, and many more.

In addition to MCI Rector Prof. Andreas Altmann, the delegation of the Entrepreneurial School® consisted of the Deputy Head of the Academic Council Prof. Claudia Mössenlechner, the Head of IT and CIO of MCI Prof. Peter Mirski, the MCI Head of Research Prof. Martin Pillei, the Head of the Ulysseus European University Alliance at MCI Prof. Siegfried Walch, the Head of the MCI Center for Sustainability & Impact Prof. Regina Obexer, the Head of MCI Alumni & Friends Bettina Stichauner with her colleague Lara Knoflach as well as the Chairman of the ÖH MCI Julian Pfurtscheller and the ÖH MCI International Representative Madalina Condrea.

The numerous guests were welcomed by MCI Rector Andreas Altmann. After introductory words by H.E. Martin Weiss, President of the Salzburg Global Seminar, H.E. Michael Reiterer, former Ambassador of the European Union to South Korea, Japan, and Bern and long-term friend of H.E. Ban Ki-moon, paid tribute to the honoree in his laudatory speech. The ceremony was wonderfully accompanied by the world-renowned South Korean flutist Jasmine Choi.