Aurora Welcomes Veronika Sexl As New President
Aurora universities are pleased to welcome Veronika Sexl as their new President, effective 1 May 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the network’s leadership and continued commitment to advancing inclusive, research-driven, and socially impactful higher education across Aurora partner universities.
Veronika Sexl, Rector of Universität Innsbruck and Aurora President, effective 1 May 2025
During the opening ceremony of the Aurora Annual Conference 2025, held on 19 May at the historic Sorbonne University in Paris, a significant leadership transition took place. Martin Procházka, former Rector of Palacký University Olomouc, formally handed over the Aurora Presidency to Veronika Sexl, Rector of Universität Innsbruck.
This ceremonial handover not only celebrated continuity in leadership, but also signals a renewed momentum for Aurora’s collective mission to shape the future of European higher education through matching academic excellence with societal relevance and collaboration, research, and social impact actions.
A Vision for Aurora
Reflecting on her new role, President Sexl shared:
“I am deeply honored to take on the presidency of Aurora at such pivotal moment. In a time marked by global uncertainty, societal polarization, and rapidly evolving challenges, the role of higher education and cross-cultural European collaboration is more vital than ever. Aurora exemplifies the strength of European cooperation – diverse, inclusive, and united by a shared commitment to addressing the most urgent issues of our time through education, research, and public engagement.
As President, I will take care of the work of my predecessors and focus on new initiatives that support key Aurora strategic priorities, promote fresh ideas, and enhance Aurora’s impact within our communities; including our involvement in the European Universities Initiative. Aurora has been funded through the Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative since 2020, and through this, it contributes actively to the broader goals of the European Higher Education Area—helping to foster collaboration, innovation, and shared values across institutions.”
About Veronika Sexl
Veronika Sexl brings a distinguished scientific and academic background to her new role as President of the group of Aurora universities. A trained medical doctor, she studied at the University of Vienna before pursuing research fellowships in the United States at prestigious institutions such as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her academic career has included professorships at the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Vetmeduni), where she chaired the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Since 2023 she serves as Rector of Universität Innsbruck.
Prof. Sexl is internationally recognized for her contributions to cancer research and molecular pharmacology. Her work focuses on translational medicine, immune-mediated tumor surveillance, and key signaling pathways in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. Her research excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the ERC Advanced Grant and the Kardinal Innitzer Prize, and she is a member of both the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.
With a keen focus on fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and making a positive impact, President Sexl is set to lead Aurora towards an even stronger and more connected future. She is deeply committed to supporting young researchers, recognizing that the next generation of scientists is key to shaping the future of knowledge and discovery.