GAMM Rundbrief 2002/Heft 2

GAMM-Jahrestagung 2002 in Augsburg 21
GAMM Jahrestagung Augsburg 2002
Grußworte des Rektors der Universität Augsburg
Prof. Dr. Wilfried Bottke
Mr. President of the GAMM,
Mr. Chairman of the DGLR,
Participants of the GAMM Annual Meeting 2002,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
it is my pleasure to welcome you to the University of Augsburg on the occasion of the annual
meeting of the International Association of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics. It is a great
honour for our university to host this important annual conference with so many distinguished
participating scientists from all over the world.
Our university was founded a bit more than 30 years ago with the former College of
Educational Sciences as its nucleus. The Philosophical Faculties were the first ones to be
established. Admittedly, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences were the last to
come, but today are the fastest growing ones reconfirming the important role of the applied
sciences as key technologies of our century.
In fact, the University of Augsburg is taking a leading role within the State funded High-Tech
Initiative Bavaria, which focuses on Applied Computer Science, Materials Science, and
Environmental Research and has established strategic alliances to become a global player in
their respective research fields. These activities are likewise reflected when it comes to
teaching.
To fit the needs of our rapidly changing society, a multitude of new curricula have been
created which have attracted a significant number of students. Another highlight is our Center
of Continuing Education and Scientific Transfer which closely cooperates with the newly
founded Centers of Environmental Studies and Information Technologies, as well as the Center
of Applied Materials Sciences and Environmental Research, in order to enhance and foster the
dissemination of scientific achievements. I strongly believe that the University of Augsburg is
playing a leading role in paving the way to cope with today’s problems and to meet the
challenges of tomorrow.
Finally, I would like to reiterate my sincere thanks to the International Association of Applied
Mathematics and Mechanics for having chosen our university to host this meeting. I would
also like to thank the local organizers for their tremendous efforts to make this conference a
success, and I wish all of you a most enjoyable and pleasant time, as well as stimulating
scientific activities in the coming days.
Thank you