Guest Speech of the Ambassador of Great Britain; H.E. Mr. John Malcolm MacGregor

At the occasion of forthcoming EU presidency that is held by the UK second semester this year (which also marks the Austria’s entry in to the EU Troika), the IMC Export Department (under the auspices of Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies) invited the British Ambassador accredited to Austria for a guest lecture. H.E. Amb. Mr. John Malcolm MACGREGOR, Resident Ambassador of Great Britain to the Republic of Austria paid a visit to IMC and delivered a lecture on 15th June, followed by nearly two hour talks with students and small reception.

The IMC fellow professors and students had the great opportunity to learn on priorities of the United Kingdom’s presidency as well as to hear thoughtful and inspiring answers on series of their questions (EU Constitution, Parliament, ENP, Lisbon, budget, foreign policy and security issues, recent US – UK summit, G–8, etc. ).

Extraordinarily eloquent diplomat of impressive career, Mr. Macgregor joined the Foreign Office over thirty years ago. Serving at different posts that include New Delhi, Prague, Paris and Germany, H.E. Macgregor obtaining several top capacities within the Foreign office too (Secretary to Minister of State, Principal Speechwriter to Foreign Minister and Director). Prior to his appointment to Austria (May 2003), H.E. Macgregor had his first ambassadorial appointment to Poland (1998). Excellency Macgregor holds the fine art and human science degrees from prestigious UK universities (Oxford and Birmingham).

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with Mr. Hans Lichtenwagner, the IMC Rector and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the event, Excellency Macgregor stated that he was very much impressed by huge interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and discussion with him, and promised to return to our University right after the UK Presidency (January-February 2006).

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic

Guest lecture of the EU Commisioner H.E. Mr. Ján Figel`

As already regionally well-established place of visits and guest-lectures of prominent experts and top-diplomats from all over the world, the IMC University additionally keeps up on inviting the EU Commission members for visits and guest-speeches too. After having a pleasure to host the President Romano Prodi’s senior cabinet member Dr. Fischler (January 2003), the IMC waited with the great interest the set up of new, the President Barroso cabinet (late 2004). This time, the EU Commission’s portfolio for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism combined with the vivid energetic, young and very eloquent personality of Mr. Ján Figel` was logical choice for our University.

Invited under the auspices of the Export Studies Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies, H.E. Mr. Ján Figel´, the EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism paid a visit to the IMC, toured the university compound and delivered a lecture “Education and Globalization” on 03rd June, followed by two hour talks with fellow professors and students.

The IMC Baroque hall was nearly too small to lodge all of our fellows students and professors. Besides them, the distinguished guests (such as the regional state officials, the DUK Rector and Vice-Rector, as well as the IMC Dean, Study directors and General Manager, along with representatives of press) had the extraordinary opportunity to get the first-hand insights over the EU Commission’s policy on education and training for future Europe's leaders (Bologna process, Bergen Ministerial deliberations, E&T 2010); on positions and future role of European universities (including the issues of attractiveness, governance and funding of universities); on languages as communicational and inter-cultural management means; on Europe's cultural diversity as the source of mobility and vitality; on outcome of recent summit of Europe’s youth; on the Lisbon agenda and need for advanced R&D (EU as knowledge-based economy) as well as to hear thoughtful and inspiring answers on series of their questions.

Formal part of lecture was not the end of talks. The IMC Garden cocktail reception in honor of distinguished EU guest was the opportunity for our students to have nearly an hour long additional, rather informal and frank conversation with Commissioner. By eagerly listening the students’ reflections and comments, and sharing it with understanding and open sympathies, Excellency Figel’ demonstrated practically what he meant when he opened his speech by words: “not tomorrow, future begins now”.

One of the youngest, dynamic and most eloquent members of the President Barroso’s Commission, H.E. Ján Figel’ (1960) has extraordinarily reach academic and political career; himself has lectured on International Relations and authored several books and many publications, and has served his respective country, Slovak Republic in numerous key capacities: ranging from post of State Secretary; chief negotiator in the EU accession process; national representative on the EU Constitution making (Convent for future Europe); member or/and chair of Foreign Affairs, Economic and development affairs and Constitutional affairs parliamentary committees on both national and EU level; up to prestigious capacity of being the Honorary President of the Center for European Policy. Prior to his appointment to the President Barroso EU Commission in November 2004, Mr. Figel’ represented his political party, Christian-Democratic Movement (KDH), as the Vice-Chairman of the EPP fraction in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Excellency Figel’ holds both natural and human science high degrees from prestigious European (TU Kosice and USFIA Antwerp) and overseas (Georgetown, Washington) universities.

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with the IMC Dean Mr. Hans Lichtenwagner and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the guest-lecture event, Excellency Figel’ stated that he was impressed by vision and enthusiasm of the IMC teaching stuff as well as by huge interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and long discussion with him, and promised to return to our University in a due time again.

Accompanied with Mr. David Hughes, his cabinet member, Mr. Karl Doutlik, Head of the EC Representation to Austria, the IMC Dean Mr. Hans Lichtenwagner and General Manager Mr. Heinz Boyer, Commissioner Ján Figel` ended his three hour visit to our university around 13h and furthered to meet the Lower Austria’s state and university delegation led by Governor Dr. Erwin Pröll.

Impressions of H.E. Figel over the stay at the IMC and talks with our fellow students and professors were repeated in his interview for the Austrian national TV as well as during the working lunch the Commissioner had with the Governor and Rectors of Lower Austria’s universities later that day in Krems/Und, and probably best expressed in statement of the Lower Austria’s Governor Excellency Pröll given afterwards to Austrian electronic and printed media: “it is very important that the Commissioner Figel has aimed his visit at Krems as the city of youth – city of universities, and has witnessed himself the great educational infrastructure which is offered here.”

Summarizing the day-long visits and talks, both Mr. Boyer as well as Dean Mr. Lichtenwagner have confirmed that the IMC can proudly stand over its early initiative for and contribution to overall success of the important talks between the new EU Commission and the Lower Austria’s authorities.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic

The speech of H.E. Mr. Ján Figel´ can be found here.
The presentation of H.E. Mr. Ján Figel´ can be found here.