Together with Patricia Stark (Impact Lab, JKUxLBG) and Thomas Gegenhuber (head of LIFT_C), JKU Rector Stefan Koch opened the festivities under the motto “WELCOME TO CHANGE”. During their opening remarks, they underlined the transformative power of communities.

A section of the program included a keynote speech by Johanna Mair (professor at the Hertie School in Berlin and editor of the Stanford Social Innovation Review) titled “Innovation and Scaling for Impact - How Effective (Social) Enterprises Do It!” focusing on how successful social enterprises scale their impact and generate sustainable progress. Mair also works at the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society and shared real-world insight, encouraging the audience to think about innovative forms of organization and institutional change.

The following Showcases gave various JKU communities an opportunity to introduce themselves:

• 0xA Science Association, opens an external URL in a new window, supporting science and technology within the community,
• Accessibility Buddies, supporting education, research, and administration by creating accessible PDF documents,
• boudicca.events, opens an external URL in a new window, committed to ensuring accessible and barrier-free events,
• Cyberducks, opens an external URL in a new window, a student association supporting science, research and prototype development,
• PflegeZeit, opens an external URL in a new window, developing digital, personalized animation programs for dementia patients.

An additional program item included the “FUTURE TALK” by Lauri Wessel (European New School of Digital Studies). Wessel addressed future challenges and opportunities facing the digital age, emphasizing the role of “design sciences” in a scientific context.

Following the presentations and ‘showcases’, the participants enjoyed oven-fresh pizza and warm early summer temperatures, making the most out of opportunities to share ideas. The participants established new connections and strengthened current relationships, while also enjoying the Campus Run that took place at the university at the same time, providing an ideal setting to hold engaging discussions.

We were delighted to be part of this diverse community and eagerly looking forward to many more upcoming events, projects and inspirational get-togethers.

Let’s LIFT_Change together!