History
of the Johannes Kepler University
Past and Present
- The history of the university of the
Province of Upper Austria dates back to the year
1492,
when the "Linzer Humanistenkreis" (Linz humanist circle)
was established at the court of Frederick
III.
- In the 16th and 17th century a
"Landschaftsschule" (Provincial Academy) existed in Linz,
where the members of the provincial classes, thus the
politically relevant groups in the Landtag (Provincial
diet) were educated.
- From 1612 to 1626, Johannes
Kepler, who lent his name to
the University of Linz, was a teacher of mathematics
("mathematicus") at this school. During this time he
wrote his major work "Harmonices mundi".
- In 1629, this Provincial Academy was
combined with the "Lateinschule der Gesellschaft Jesus"
(Latin Academy of Jesuites).
- During the second half of the 17th
century a contract was signed between the members of
provincial classes and the Jesuits to found "Studia
Altiora" in Linz.
- In 1674, emperor Leopold I.,
authorized this school in Linz to award the degree of
"Baccalaureus" and "Magister" in addition to the title of
a "Licentiatus ex philosophia".
- In July 1810, the "studies of law and
politics" were abolished in a political act by the
Studien- und Hofkommission.
- In 1870, the foundation of a
technical university was discussed in the Provincial
government.
- The transfer of parts of the
Technical College of Brünn to Linz and its
surroundings (Wilhering) during the World War II
influenced the establishment of the present Johannes
Kepler University.
- The end of World War II represented
simultaneously the end of college institutions, with the
exception of the "Theologischen Hochschule" (Theological
Academy).
- After World War II, the economic
development and the advanced industrialisation in Austria
have demanded specialists with university education. The
political representatives of Upper Austria and Linz aimed
to establish a college in Linz, and so the board of
curators "University of Economics" in Linz was founded in
1959.
- Three years later, in 1962, the
federal law (BGBl.Nr.188) made the foundation of the
"University of Economics" possible.
- On October 8, 1966, the university
opened its doors to 560 students in the Faculty
of Law and in the
Faculty
of Social Sciences and Economics and
Business. In 1968, the
Faculty
of Natural Sciences and
Engineering was
added.
- On October 1, 1975, the University of
Economics was renamed as "Johannes Kepler University of
Linz" as a result of the University Organisation
Act.
- At present, some 20,000 students are
enrolled in the three faculties. Among them, the Faculty
of Social and Economic Sciences is by far the largest
with over 14,000 students, followed by the Faculty of
Technical and Natural Sciences and the Faculty of
Law.
- The following fields of study are
offered at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences:
Business Administration, International Business and
Languages, Economics, Business Informatics, Business
Pedagogics, Statistics, Sociology, Socio-Economics. All
these award Master's as well as Doctor's
degrees.
- Among the core interests of the
Johannes Kepler University of Linz are its international
links. It therefore engages in active exchange programmes
with over 50 European Universities and has a number of
transatlantic links on the level of undergraduate and
postgraduate studies. To enhance the research cooperation
with its international partners and to further develop a
mutual understanding of foreign educational systems, the
university regularly invites guest professors and
lecturers from its partner institutions.
- The Johannes Kepler University Linz
is a young and dynamic institution of higher education
and research. It is not only famous for its high level of
teaching and research, but has also earned a reputation
as an attractive partner for businesses and various
social and governmental institutions.
- Unlike many other universites, where
the individual faculties are spread out throughout the
town, all faculties of the University of Linz are
situated on a single campus covering some 350,000 m2. The
athletic grounds and 3 student residences are located
directly on site. Two more student residences -among them
the largest one for about 1300 students - are situated
within 5 minute walking distance.
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JKU | History of JKU - Past and
Present
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