"Universities are often judged by what is visible: publications, rankings, awards, buildings, number of students and public events. But much of what truly sustains a university happens quietly, patiently, and often out of sight. As the German verse of Berholt Brecht reminds us: “Denn die einen stehn im Dunkeln, und die anderen stehn im Licht, und man sieht nur die im Lichte, die im Dunkeln sieht man nicht.” Many stand in the shadows while others stand in the light, and we tend to see only those in the light. Today, I want to acknowledge all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes for the whole past year. Your commitment, expertise, and sense of responsibility are the foundation on which everything else rests. For this, I thank you most sincerely.

The opening of the academic year is always a special moment. It marks continuity and renewal at the same time. Although we stand within a long academic tradition (the legacy of the old generation is handed over to our new colleagues), we are constantly called to rethink our role in a rapidly changing world.

This is why I would like to reflect today on what it means to be an innovative university.

The word “innovation” is used often—most probably too often. But for a university, innovation is not a fashionable label or a short-term objective. It is a long-term commitment, a shared culture, and, above all, a sense of purpose.

I would like to structure my reflections around three questions:

1. What does innovation truly mean in the context of a university?
2. Why is it essential today?
3. How can innovation create commitment and inclusion within our academic community?

1. Innovation and the University: Beyond Technology

When we hear the word innovation, we often think first of technology: artificial intelligence, digital platforms, new laboratories, patents, startups, scale up and unicorns. These are important and visible dimensions of innovation, and universities play a central role in their development.

But innovation in a university goes far beyond technology.

Universities have always been innovative institutions. The very idea of the university—bringing together scholars and students to pursue knowledge freely—was itself a radical innovation. A “free” university in an autonomous region should have all the prerequisites. Throughout history, universities have been places where dominant ideas were questioned (to some extend “nasty friends”), new perspectives emerged, and long-term change in society triggered. Not rarely it happened, that these new ideas created discontent for those in power – summarized in Goethes Faust as: “Die Geister, die ich rief, werd' ich nun nicht los’’. Harvard University is standing for many of us. In a remarkable turn of events, long-standing allied countries threaten us and even deploy military force against their own population—as tragically witnessed also in the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis—we are all called to hold the line. What are our options? The Prime Minister of Canada Mr. Carney made a remarkable address at the World Economic Forum of Davos. His main point: We have to stop living in a lie. We have to stop thinking and acting as if the old world order were still in place. Maybe it never was, but the narrative was simply convenient back in the days. Universities, in such a context, must remain fortresses of free thought, withstanding political pressure and upholding the core European values: connecting rather than separating, including rather than excluding, welcoming rather than threatening. This is the path of our University, this is the path of unibz. The European values are our roots – join us! We have a collective responsibility -- together our values shape reality, you can hardly overestimate this power. Especially in a multilingual province like ours, with its history, these values matter more than ever.

Innovation, in an academic sense, means:

• Creating new knowledge, not merely transmitting existing knowledge, this is also the difference between a university and a high school;
• Questioning assumptions, even when they are comfortable – challenge the status quo;
• Connecting disciplines, rather than isolating them;
• Educating students not just for specific jobs, but for uncertainty and change – being resilient, i.e., bend with the wind and bounce back
• For universities, creating the future does not mean controlling it, but preparing minds capable of shaping it responsibly.

2. Why Innovation Matters Today

Why is innovation so essential today?

Because we live in a time of unprecedented transformation. Climate change, digitalization, demographic shifts, and geopolitical instability (let me say that my Danish friends – I spent two years there – normally relaxed -- are quite nervous at the moment) – all these uncertainties are reshaping our societies at extraordinary speed. In such times, knowledge alone is not enough. What is required is orientation.

Yuval Noah Harari reminds us that people do not commit themselves to institutions merely because they are efficient, successful or because they are paid well. They commit themselves when they understand why they belong: what is the reason for the activities and why should somebody care?. People need a rational narrative, a shared meaning, in order to feel included and motivated.

This insight is highly relevant for universities.

An innovative university is not only one that develops new technologies or attracts funding. It is one that offers its members—students, researchers, staff—a convincing answer to a fundamental question: Why does what we do matter?

If we want commitment, we must offer purpose.If we want excellence, we must offer a convincing leadership.If we want innovation, we must offer a shared vision that people can rationally understand and emotionally support.

3. Innovation in Education: Meaningful Learning

L’insegnamento innovativo non significa semplicemente utilizzare nuovi strumenti digitali. Significa ripensare il rapporto tra docenti e studenti. Significa passare da una fruizione passiva del sapere a una partecipazione attiva, al pensiero critico e all’esplorazione interdisciplinare. La learning factory e l’apprendimento basato sui problemi sono esempi di ciò che intendiamo per insegnamento innovativo. Lo studente al centro che diventa protagonista.

I nostri studenti non dovrebbero imparare solo che cosa pensare, ma come pensare. Dovrebbero sentire che la loro formazione li dota non solo di competenze tecniche, ma anche di orientamento: una comprensione del proprio ruolo in un mondo sempre più complesso.

Quando gli studenti comprendono il senso del loro apprendimento, si sentono inclusi. Quando si sentono inclusi, si impegnano non solo negli studi, ma anche nell’università come comunità. Questa è l’innovazione nel suo significato più profondo.

Ho insegnato in diverse università—Innsbruck, Vienna, Liechtenstein e Kopenhagen. Posso dire con orgoglio che abbiamo i migliori studenti – e questo lo dico davanti a voi tutti. Chi è alla ricerca di una laurea facile o di una vita notturna intensa non sceglie unibz come Ateneo. I nostri studenti sono pronti a fare un passo in più, giorno per giorno.

4. Innovation in der Forschung: Freiheit, Mut, Verantwortung

Innovation in der Forschung beginnt mit Neugier (curiosity driven). Tiefgreifende Entdeckungen entstehen oft nicht aus klar definierten Zielvorgaben, sondern aus Fragen, die zunächst abstrakt oder sogar unpraktisch erscheinen – anders als bei rein angewandter Forschung. Angewandte Techniken sind dabei häufig ein willkommenes Nebenprodukt.

Eine innovative Universität muss daher die akademische Freiheit schützen. Sie muss Raum für intellektuelle Risiken, für interdisziplinäre Exploration und – ja – manchmal auch für das Scheitern lassen. Scheitern ist ein integraler Bestandteil des gesamten Prozesses in der Wissenschaft (trial and error).

Gleichzeitig bedeutet Innovation in der Forschung auch Verantwortung. Je mächtiger Technologien werden, desto wichtiger wird die ethische Reflexion. Universitäten müssen Orte bleiben, an denen nicht nur erforscht wird, was möglich ist, sondern auch, was wünschenswert ist.

Wie Albert Einstein einst feststellte:„Wir können unsere Probleme nicht mit derselben Denkweise lösen, durch die sie entstanden sind.“Universitäten existieren genau deshalb, um neue Denkweisen zu kultivieren.

5. Innovation als kollektive Kultur

Eine innovative Universität zu sein, ist nicht die Aufgabe einer einzelnen Strategie, eines einzelnen Büros oder einer einzelnen Führungsrolle. Innovation lässt sich nicht top-down per Vorgabe verordnen. Sie ist ein kollektives Unterfangen.

Innovation beruht auf:

• der Kreativität der Forschenden,
• dem Engagement der Lehrenden,
• der Neugier der Studierenden
• und der Professionalität des administrativen und technischen Personals.

Der Fähigkeit lokale Stakeholder intensiv einzubauen. Nach fast 30 Jahren sind nun auch viele unserer Studenten Botschafter der unibz, welche unsere Fahne hoch halten.

Führung bedeutet, Menschen zu befähigen das Ganze zu sehen, nicht sich mit der Frage zu beschäftigen, wer sich die Verdienste zuschreiben darf. Wir sitzen alle im selben Boot. Innovation gedeiht in einem Umfeld des Vertrauens, der Offenheit und des Dialogs. Führung bedeutet in diesem Kontext nicht, Innovation vorzuschreiben, sondern die Bedingungen zu schaffen, unter denen Innovation organisch entstehen kann.

Wenn sich Menschen gesehen, verstanden und in ein gemeinsames Projekt eingebunden fühlen, wird Innovation nachhaltig.

Conclusion

Let me conclude with a final thought.

Being an innovative university does not mean chasing every new trend. It means staying true to our academic values while remaining open to change. It means combining excellence with responsibility, ambition with humility, and tradition with renewal.

What is my wish for us? If we succeed in offering not only knowledge, but also meaning—if we provide not only opportunities, but also purpose—then we will be a university to which people feel genuinely committed.

As we begin this academic year, I am confident that together we can continue to shape unibz as a place where innovation serves knowledge, society, and future generations – based on our European values.

I thank you for your trust, your engagement, and your dedication. I wish all of you a stimulating, successful, and inspiring academic year."