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Archives: Boards

Gregor Weihs

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on .

Gregor Weihs is Vice-Rector for Research at the Universität Innsbruck, Professor of Photonics at its Department for Experimental Physics and Director of Research of the Cluster of Excellence Quantum Science Austria. He received his MSc degree from Universität Innsbruck in 1994. His PhD degree from University of Vienna was awarded “sub auspiciis praesidentis” by the President of the Austrian Republic in 2000. Before returning to Innsbruck, he held a junior faculty position at the University of Vienna, was Consulting Assistant Professor at Stanford University, Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo, and Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, Canada, where he was awarded the Canada Research Chair in Quantum Photonics.

From 2016 to 2021 he was the Vice-President for Natural Sciences and Engineering of the Austrian Science Fund and its interim President for several months. Other major awards include a Starting Grant by the European Research Council and the Wilhelm-Exner medal of the Austrian Trade and Crafts Association. He was a member of the Young Academy of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a Fellow in the QIP program of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. His research interests include fundamental physics, quantum and semiconductor optics and quantum information.

Francesco Palumbo

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Francesco Palumbo is Full Professor of Statistics at the University Federico II of Naples, where he served as Director of the Department of Political Sciences. He taught Statistics and Psychometric Statistics. His research focuses on multivariate data analysis and the application of statistics in public decision-making processes. He has coordinated national and international research projects and contributed to the development of innovative statistical methodologies. He is the author of numerous scientific publications and actively participates in conferences and seminars in the field of applied statistics. 

Arnaud Thauvron

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Arnaud Thauvron was elected Vice-rector of Education and University Life Committee at the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) on 18 September 2023. He holds a doctorate in finance and is a lecturer at IAE Gustave Eiffel, which he helped to found and directed for 7 years. At the IAE, he co-directs the International Management degree and the Master 2 in Wealth Management. He is the author of several books, including Gestion de patrimoine (Dunod, 13th edition, 2022), Finance (Foucher, 9th edition, 2019), Finance d’entreprise (Foucher, 4th edition, 2022) and Évaluation d’entreprise (Economica, 5th edition, 2020).

He was vice-president of the Réseau des IAE (2009-2013) and co-directed the Finance and Accounting research unit of the Institut de Recherche en Gestion (2002-2006). In September 2022, he was elected Vice-rector for Training and Socio-Economic Partnerships, and on 18 September 2023 he was elected Vice-rector for Training and the Commission for Training and University Life at UPEC.

Ragna Benedikta Garðarsdóttir

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Ragna Benedikta Garðarsdóttir is Pro-Rector of Education and a Professor of Social Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Iceland in 1995, an MSc in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics in 1997, and a D.Phil. in Social Psychology from the University of Sussex in 2006. She joined the Faculty of Psychology as an Assistant Professor in 2011, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2014, and became a full Professor in 2021. Ragna has served on the board and negotiating committee of the Association of Professors at State Universities. Ragna‘s research has focused on consumer societies, well-being, values and identity.

Wilbert van der Meer

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As International Office Director, Wilbert van der Meer is responsible for international academic partnerships at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). He works closely with both internal and external stakeholders to strengthen CBS’s global network, including collaborations on educational programs, research initiatives, and strategic alliances. Wilbert is responsible for CBS’s policies and strategies for internationalisation.

Previously, he held the position of Head of Education at CBS and, prior to that, served as Deputy Secretary General at Universities Denmark.

Wilbert van der Meer represents the CBS Vice-Rector of Education, Anna Thomasson, in the Aurora European universities alliance.

Montserrat Pinent Armengol

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Montserrat Pinent Armengol is at the Vice-Rectorate for Teaching Projects and Students at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili. This Vice-Rectorate is responsible for innovation in teaching, teaching methodologies and educational resources and for student reception, student services, internships and academic orientation. It also promotes student involvement in university life and supports student associations and representative bodies.

Simona Gibalová

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Simona Gibalová is fourth year General Medicine student at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice. As current President of the Aurora Student Council (ASC), she will leverage on her extensive experience as former Aurora Student Representative in the ASC. From collaboration on creating the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter to representing Aurora in the European Student Union, she will bring a unique perspective from an Aurora Associate Partner university to the ASC board for the first time.

Simona’s vision for this year involves deepening student collaboration on a local and European level, improving the Aurora Student Ambassador programme and bringing forward the needs of students from associate partner universities. She believes that the ASC is a unique opportunity for every student involved to gain new, outside-of-classroom knowledge, share good practices and gain growth on both personal and professional levels.

Eliška Karasová

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Eliška Karasová is MA student at Palacký University Olomouc. Currently the Vice-President of the Aurora Student Council (ASC), she will focus on ensuring smooth collaboration and communication across the ASC. Passionate about a new Student Ambassador model that values quality over quantity, she is dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for students of all universities within Aurora. She deeply appreciates the system that has already been established and aims to ensure that every university has the chance to fully engage and benefit from all that Aurora has to offer its students. To her, the ASC is a one-of-a-kind space to experience and celebrate cultural diversity.

Kristýna Raimerová

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Kristýna Raimerová is MA Student at Palacký University Olomouc and Secretary General of the Aurora Student Council (ASC). She will be responsible for ensuring that the ASC functions smoothly and efficiently, through a strong focus on organisation, documentation, and internal coordination. Known for her detail-oriented approach and reliability, Kristýna plays a key role in maintaining accurate records, managing Council schedules, and keeping members updated with the latest developments and decisions affecting the Council and the wider Aurora network. Committed to transparency and effective communication, the Secretary General ensures that the Council’s work is well-documented and accessible to both its members and the broader student community.

Benedetta Toledo

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Benedetta Toledo is PhD Candidate at Università Federico II of Naples. As Communications Officer for the Aurora Student Council (ASC), she will be responsible for promoting the work and initiatives of the ASC across various platforms. Her past experiences as UX & UI Designer and Social Media Manager, helps ensure that students from across Europe stay informed, connected, and engaged. She believes the ASC is an open space for meaningful dialogue, mutual learning, and personal growth. Her role also involves increasing awareness of Aurora, and encouraging more students to be involved in the diverse opportunities it offers. In doing so, the Council continues to promote an inclusive and dynamic environment where student voices are empowered and valued.