Helmut Pernsteiner was appointed the head of the Institute of Corporate Finance in 1998. On June 5, 2023, supporters, former and current employees, graduates and friends of the Department of Corporate Finance came together at the JKU’s Uni-Center to celebrate the institute’s momentous 25th anniversary.

The evening kicked off with a casual get-together, giving guests an opportunity to share ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Afterwards, Dr. Stefan Koch, Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs and the JKU Rector-elect, spoke about the department’s past and present successes as well as the importance of Corporate Finance. o. Univ. Prof. Dr. Helmut Pernsteiner prepared a special presentation looking back at the past and using examples to illustrate the many changes over the past decades. The institute continued to grow and in 2006, the institute was especially pleased to welcome the Department of Asset Management under the management of Univ. Prof. Dr. Teodoro Cocca. The presentation included a look at the many changes over the years, such as in teaching and education, in academics (particularly in lieu of the Bologna Agreement), in research, and especially with regard to international and team-oriented approaches. o. Univ. Prof. Dr. Helmut Pernsteiner also pointed out that the festivities include celebrating 25 years of courses in the academic program and Master's program in financial management; the programs proudly boast over 500 graduates.

Following the introduction, there was a short film providing an insight into the world of corporate finance. The department’s academic staff, including Assist. Prof. Dr. Thomas Brunner-Kirchmair, Assoz. Prof. Dr. Markus Dick, Anna Gappmaier, MSc, BA, and Assoz.-Prof. Dr. Eva Wagner, not only provided an overview of the institute’s range of research currently being conducted at the department, they also presented various research studies.

Gerald Mayer, CEO of the listed AMAG Austria Metall AG, held a keynote speech that included insight into real-world practices. He spoke about past developments and trends in finance over the past 25 years from an industrial perspective. He remarked that a CFO's responsibilities have grown exponentially, becoming more complex and demanding, particularly on account of automation, increased compliance, growing regulations, and issues such as ESG and cyber security. Mayer supported his remarks by citing figures that illustrate growing volatility and related uncertainties in recent years. As a result, a key goal in corporate finance over the past 25 years includes solid and stable financing as well as ensuring sufficient liquidity.

Prof. Dr. Helmut Pernsteiner presided over a panel discussion about the future of corporate finance that included Mag. Christiane Tusek (Vice-Rector for Finance, JKU), Mag. Michaela Keplinger-Mitterlehner (CMO, RLB Upper Austria), Mag. Barbara Potisk-Eibensteiner (CFO, Heinzel Holding Ltd.), and Dr. Wolfgang Litzlbauer (CEO, Umdasch Group AG).

The evening concluded with a reception at which invited guests fittingly celebrated the institute’s anniversary, bringing the successful evening to a close. A brochure of the same name, opens a file is available to learn more about the Institute of Corporate Finance’s 25^th anniversary.