On March 8, International Women's Day, BOKU celebrates a special anniversary this year: exactly 100 years ago, Ilse Wallentin was the first woman to complete her doctorate at BOKU.
International Women's Day builds on a long tradition of struggles and achievements by and for gender equality worldwide. At BOKU, we can look back on numerous women who have helped to shape and advance the male-dominated university. Many of them have done a great deal to play a pioneering role - such as Olga Beck, the first female assistant in phytopathology (1924), Ilse Wallentin, BOKU's first doctoral student in plant cultivation (1924), Helvig Schütte, the first female graduate in forestry (1936) or Ingeborg Dirmhirn, the first full university professor of meteorology and climatology (1981).
This day at BOKU is dedicated to Ilse Wallentin with admiration for her achievements, with a joyful look at the positive developments for women at BOKU since then, but also with a special focus on gender inequalities that still exist today.
In 2024, it is still relevant and important to speak out for women's rights, equal opportunities and diversity. As a university, BOKU has a special social responsibility and is sending a strong signal with its diversity strategy to enable equal study and work opportunities. The Rectorate would like to take this opportunity to thank the Coordination Office for Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for its tireless commitment to constantly and sustainably promoting gender equality and equal opportunities at our university and advocating equal participation.
Prof. Mag.a Mag.a Dr.a Eva Schulev-Steindl, LL.M.
Rector of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
