TU Wien Informatics

20 Years

Global and Societal Challenges for Computer Science

  • 2018-05-08
  • Panel Discussion
  • Innovation
  • Social Responsibility

Panel Discussion with C. Floyd (University of Hamburg / TU Wien), H. Fuchs (University of North Carolina), M. Vardi (Rice University) and H.Werthner (TU Wien).

  • TU Wien, Campus Getreidemarkt
    Konferenzsaal TUtheSky
  • 1060 Vienna, Getreidemarkt 9
    Bauteil BA (Hoftrakt), 11. Stock, Raum BA11B07

Academic Excellence and Societal Responsibility

With more impact than ever before cutting-edge technologies and scientific breakthroughs are affecting existing economic and political conditions on a national and global level. Computer science is considered a crucial factor not only in the forming of cyberspace, but in the emergence of large industries as well as in geopolitics. Fundamental research in particular has acquired a decisive function in handling these global challenges.

The panel discussion will focus on topics like the role of computer science in the changes dubbed Industry 4.0 and the global competition of innovation leadership. On the occasion of bestowing honorary doctorates to Henry Fuchs (University of North Carolina/TU Wien) and Moshe Y. Vardi (Rice University) by the Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien) the two renowned computer scientists will address current challenges of fundamental research. Together with Christiane Floyd (University of Hamburg / TU Wien) and Hannes Werthner, Dean of the Faculty of Informatics (TU Wien) the panellists will discuss the role of computer science and universities in the transformative interaction of academic excellence and societal responsibility.

Panellists

Christiane Floyd is professor emerita for software engineering and honorary professor at TU Wien. Floyd has a strong concern for the responsible use of computing technology. Since 2006 she is committed to promoting the use of information and communication technologies for development in Ethiopia, currently advising the project ‘Technology Enabled Maternal and Child HealthCare’, sponsored by the Austrian Development Agency.

Henry Fuchs is one of the leading scientists in the field of virtual and augmented reality, pioneering many of its component technologies since the 1970’s, years before there was even a name for the field. Together with his research team he developed algorithms and hardware for real-time, realistic image generation of the virtual objects, producing the forerunners of the Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), found today in every computer and mobile device.

With over 42,000 citations, Moshe Y. Vardi is one of the most cited computer scientists worldwide. Since 1993, Moshe Vardi has been a professor at Rice University (Texas, USA). He is a leading researcher in the field of logic applications in computer science and plays a leading role in the discussion of the role of computer science in society.

Hannes Werthner is Professor of e-commerce at TU Wien (University of Technology Vienna). Since 2016 he is also Dean of the largest Faculty of Informatics in Austria. In his function as dean of the Faculty of Informatics, Werthner frequently addresses the societal responsibility of universities in public, focusing on the role of Informatics in the process of digital transformation.

Further details on the panellists’s biographies can be found in the short biographies (PDF).

Procedure

17:30 Opening by a member of the Dean’s team.

17:45 Welcome by Sabine Seidler, Rector of TU Wien

17:40 Introduction of the panellists by Margret Childs (Metropole)

17:45 Panel Discussion, moderated by Margret Childs (Metropole)

Ca. 19:00 Get-together; Join us for a drink after the event.

Panel discussion in English.

Please register here for this event.

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