ASSOCIATION FOR EUROPEAN LIFE SCIENCE UNIVERSITIES

The ICA Rectors and Deans Forum meeting room location at BOKU

The Forum will be held in the building “Ilse-Wallentin-Haus” (ILWA), at BOKU University, Peter-Jordan Strasse 82, Vienna, Austria

Peter-Jordan Strasse runs left to right at the bottom of the map below.  The building of the meeting room is indcated.  

Getting to BOKU

The fastest and cheapest way of moving around Vienna is using public transport. Buses, suburban trains, trams and underground lines will take you almost anywhere in the city in no time at all. Vienna public transport Wiener Linien operates five underground lines, 31 tram and 80 bus lines, of which 21 are night lines. Night lines operate between 00.30 and 05:00.

Tickets for public transport can be bought via the website https://shop.wienmobil.at/en/products or at underground- and train stations. When travelling with trams, a ticket can also be bought on board.

Use the App “WienMobil” to manage your tickets on your phone, and plan your trips within the city.

To reach the Forum venue at BOKU University, in the building “Ilse-Wallentin-Haus” (ILWA), Peter-Jordan Strasse 82, we recommend travelling by public transport: bus line 40A, stop ‘Borkowskigasse’, 37A or 10A, stop ‘Dänenstraße’. Then it is a 3-minute walk to the event venue. If you arrive via the InnerCity Train (S-Bahn) S45 to station “Krottenbachstraße” it is a 15-minute walk to the event venue.  If you are staying in the Living Hotel Kaiser Franz Joseph it is a 20 minute walk to the venue.

Bicycle parking spaces are available at the Ilse-Wallentin-Haus. If you require assistance for barrier-free access participation in the event, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you need to use the car to get to BOKU, use the address Peter-Jordan Strasse 82 to navigate to the BOKU campus and park anywhere. Usually there are enough parking spots available within a 5-minute walking distance. See above point “arrival by car” for more information on parking fees.

Reaching  Vienna

1         Arrival by train

Several international and national train services ensure an efficient connection with all over Europe. Travelling to Vienna in comfort and in an environmentally friendly way by train is also possible thanks to an advanced system of night trains that connect Vienna with numerous European capitals. The three main Vienna train stations are centrally located and are well-linked to public transport.

1.1        Vienna Main Station - Wien Hauptbahnhof

Most of the trains arrive at the new Vienna Main Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof). All Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) long-distance trains stop here, as well as other international train companies’ trains. Hauptbahnhof is located on top of the subway station “Südtirolerplatz” (U1). Tram D takes you directly to the city centre (Karlsplatz – with connections to U1, U2 and U4). Furthermore, you can take tram O and 18 (to “Westbahnhof”) or buses 13A and 69A. There is also a suburban train (S-Bahn) stop in Hauptbahnhof.

1.2        Vienna Meidling Station – Wien Meidling

All trains reaching Wien Hauptbahnhof stop in  Wien Meidling. If you arrive at the train station Wien Meidling you can take the subway U6.

1.3        Westbahnhof

Vienna’s Westbahnhof is the Viennese terminus for trains arriving from Western Europe and Western Austria. The airport bus operated by Vienna AirportLines continues to stop at Europaplatz, in front of the station building. From Westbahnhof, you can take the underground U3 (orange) and U6 (brown) as well as trams 5, 6, 9, 18, 52 and 58.

2        Arrival by Bus

The well-developed public bus network of Postbus connects all Austrian states with Vienna. The main bus station for international long-distance bus carriers, like Eurolines or Flixbus, is located in Erdberg at the VIB – Vienna International Bus Terminal. There, you can reach the city centre by underground U3 (in the direction of “Ottakring”).

3        Arrival by Plane

Vienna’s central position in Europe makes it a hub offering optimal transportation connections to the whole world. The Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat) is located in the Federal State of Lower Austria, about 15 kilometres outside of Vienna, and there are several possibilities to reach the city centre.

3.1        Suburban Railway – S-Bahn

Rapid transit railway line S7 departs the airport every 30 minutes and stops at several centrally located stations with transfers to Vienna’s rapid transit railway and subway network. The S-Bahn stops in Wien Mitte – Landstraße (underground U3, U4, suburban railways, buses and trams), Praterstern (U1, U2, suburban railways, buses and trams), Handelskai (U6, S45, suburban railways and buses) and Florisdorf (U6, suburban railways buses and trams). A ride takes approx. 20 – 45 min depending on your destination. A one-way ticket to Vienna costs 4,30€ and includes also the use of public transport in the city. Check timetables and fares online.

3.2        ÖBB Railjet

The Railjets of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) run non-stop from Vienna Airport to Vienna Main Station and Wien Meidling Station. The Railjets carry you quickly twice an hour from Vienna Airport to Vienna Main Station (U1) in 15 minutes, or to Wien Meidling Station (U6) in about half an hour. A one-way ticket to Vienna costs 4,30€ and includes also the use of public transport in the city. Check timetables and fares online.

3.3        City Airport Train – CAT

The City Airport Train – CAT is the quickest connection from the airport to downtown Vienna and plies between the airport and the city every 30 minutes. It takes approx. 15 minutes to reach the station Landstrasse / Wien Mitte (connections to U3, U4, rapid transit railway, buses, suburban railways, and trams) but it will cost 14,90€ for a one-way ticket and 24,90€ for a round-trip ticket.

3.4        Bus

The Vienna AirportLines operates several bus lines between Vienna’s city centre and Vienna’s International Airport. The connection between Wien Westbahnhof and Vienna International Airport takes approx. 20 – 45 minutes depending on the traffic, with a one-way ticket cost of 9 €, and a round-trip cost of 15 € (tickets can be bought directly on the bus or online).

4.4        Arrival by Car

Vienna has short-term parking zones. Parking vouchers (“Parkscheine”), to be filled in and placed behind the windscreen, are available at tobacco shops (“Tabak-Trafik”), railway stations, ticket machines at underground stations and Vienna public transport offices (Wiener Linien). Parking within city limits is 2,60€ per hour, and you need to renew your parking voucher every two hours. Parking officers to check up on that are quite common everywhere in the city.  You can use the app “Handyparken” to manage your vouchers on your phone: https://www.handyparken.at/.

Navigating Complexity: ICA Leading the Circular Bioeconomy Transformation

Porgramme at BOKU University, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, Vienna & Local BOKU University Programme Friday afternoon

Download the Rectors and Deans Froum Progarmme flyer

Day 1. Thursday, 16 October

Day 2. Friday, 17 October

Navigating Complexity: ICA Leading the Circular Bioeconomy Transformation

to be held on 16 and 17 October 2025

at the “Ilse-Wallentin-Haus” (ILWA), BOKU University, Peter-Jordan Strasse 82, Vienna, Austria

This is an "öko Event".  This event fulfils the criteria of the City of Vienna for environmentally friendly and sustainable hosting of the ICA Rectors and Deans Forum by BOKU University.  In addition to the implementation of several environmentally friendly measures in the organisation of the forum, we encourage you to travel by public transportation within Vienna, please see the advice here.

Click here to see the detailed Programme
Download the Rectors and Deans Forum Progarmme flyer

Forum Focus

A: The goal of the ICA’s Rectors and Deans Forum

This annual ICA Forum, for Rectors, Presidents, Deans, and senior academic and management staff in life science Universities in Europe, aims to provide these university decision makers from ICA’s member universities with the opportunity to meet, to discuss current issues in the bioeconomy and life sciences, and to exchange views on these issues with relevant stakeholders in industry, government and NGOs.

B:  Forum Background & Rationale

As the bioeconomy continues to gain prominence as a key driver of sustainable development, life science universities have a critical role to play in shaping and implementing policies that foster innovation, sustainability, and resilience. These institutions are at the forefront of knowledge generation, technological advancements, and capacity-building necessary to transition toward a circular and sustainable bioeconomy. However, translating scientific insights into effective policies and practical applications requires strong collaboration between academia, policymakers, and industry and public society resulting in socially engaged life sciences using interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches.

This forum provides a dedicated platform to explore the evolving Science–Policy Interface and to showcase best practices in knowledge mobilization by ICA universities. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and academic leaders and echoing voices of the society, the event aims to foster dialogue, share experiences, and identify actionable pathways for universities to actively contribute to bioeconomy strategies at the regional, European, and global levels.

The key objectives of the forum are to:

1. Bridge the Science – Policy Divide – Enhance understanding of how life science universities can effectively contribute to the circular bioeconomy policymaking and implementation.
2. Enhance Policy Coherence – Explore mechanisms for aligning academic research with national, European bioeconomy strategies.
3. Showcase Best Practices – Highlight successful initiatives and collaborative models where universities have driven impactful change in the circular bioeconomy.
4. Foster Networking & Collaboration – Encourage partnerships among academia, policymakers, and industry to accelerate knowledge transfer and innovation.
5. Promote Actionable Solutions – Identify key takeaways and next steps for leveraging academic expertise in real-world circular bioeconomy challenges.

C:  Forum Structure & Thematic Focus

Day 1 of the forum sets the stage by exploring how life science universities can actively contribute to shaping bioeconomy policies and strategies at regional, European, and international levels. Through insights from key policy updates, global perspectives, and expert discussions, we will examine how knowledge generated within universities can inform decision-making, support policy coherence, and accelerate the transition toward a sustainable, circular bioeconomy.

Day 2 focus on interactive sharing of practices from ICA universities. Since it's a half-day session, it would be great to keep it dynamic, with space for multiple short interventions and discussions.

D:  Expected Outcomes

By the end of the forum, participants will:

• Gain deeper insights into the evolving circular bioeconomy policy landscape and life science universities’ role in shaping it.
• Learn from real-world examples of how life science universities have successfully influenced policy and implemented bioeconomy solutions.
• Identify challenges and opportunities for strengthening the science-policy interface.
• Foster new collaborations and networks to enhance knowledge transfer and impact.
• Develop a set of recommendations and action points to enhance, support and promote the proactive role of life science universities in driving the bioeconomy transition.

This forum serves as a springboard for stronger engagement between academia, policymakers, and industry, ensuring that research and innovation from life science universities contribute effectively to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.

E:  Programme Organising Committee

Chair – Marina Pintar, Dean Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Secretary - Rasa Pakeltiene, ICA Secretary General
Martin Greimel, Head of the Centre for Bioeconomy, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria 
Damiano Cilio, Centre for Bioeconomy, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria 
Michal Loztak, Senior Vice Rector, Czech University of LIfe Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
Simon Heath, ICA Deputy Secretary General

Click here to see the detailed Programme
Download the Rectors and Deans Froum Progarmme flyer

How to reach Zagreb and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb

The Faculty of Agriculture is located in Maksimir, Zagreb, see the location  
The events will be held at this address:
VI pavilion, ground floor
Faculty of Agriculture
University of Zagreb
Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Outline details to connect to the centre of Zagreb and the Faculty of Agriculture are shown below.  More detailed instructions will be sent in the joining instructions one week before the start of the ICA Forum.

By Plane

International Franjo Tuđman Airport is located 12 km from Zagreb city centre. 

Bus service from the Airport to the Main Bus station is available at the Airport. You can find more information on the Pleso transport website.

From the Main Bus station to the Hotel Dubrovnik: By tram (5 stops, 12 minutes): No. 6 (direction Črnomerec) and get off at the stop: Trg J. Jelačića (the main square)

From the Main Bus station, you can come to the Faculty of Agriculture by tram (8 stops, 20 minutes): No. 7 (direction Dubrava) and get off on the stop: Ravnice. Follow the Walking trail of Paula and Većeslav Pavlek all the way to the VI pavilion (10 minute walk, 750m). 

By Train

Zagreb Main railway station (Glavni kolodvor Zagreb) is located in the city centre and all of the trains from Europe are coming to this station.

You can check the train options form your location via the Trainline website.

From the Main Railway station to the Hotel Dubrovnik:

• 10 minute walk (950 m)
• By tram (2 stops, 4 minutes): No. 6 (direction Črnomerec) and get off at the second stop: Trg J. Jelačića (the main square)

From the Main Railway station to the Faculty of Agriculture:
By tram (12 stops, 25 minutes): No. 4 (direction Dubec) and get off on the stop: Ravnice. Follow the Walking trail of Paula and Većeslav Pavlek all the way to the VI pavilion (10 minute walk, 750 m).

By Bus

Zagreb Main bus station (Autobusni kolodvor Zagreb) is located in Držićeva street, near the Main Railway station. All of the international bus lines are coming to this station.

You can check the bus options on the official station website: https://www.akz.hr/en

We would recommend to use FlixBus, so you can use the FlixBus website as well.

From the Main bus station to the Hotel Dubrovnik
By tram (5 stops, 12 minutes): No. 6 (direction Črnomerec) and get off at the stop: Trg bana J. Jelačića (the main square).

From the Main Bus station to the Faculty of Agriculture
By tram (8 stops, 20 minutes): No. 7 (direction Dubrava) and get of on the stop: Ravnice. Follow the Walking trail of Paula and Većeslav Pavlek all the way to the VI pavilion (10 minute walk, 750m).

Call for Contributions – short interventions during the Forum Programme

We are calling for Short Interventions in the Spotlight Session: Universty Best Practices on Day 2 of the Forum - Friday 17 October,   
Your proposal should highlight successful actions, including:

• Integrating circular bioeconomy into curricula
• Regional bioeconomy hubs and living labs
• Start-ups and spin-offs supporting bio-based solutions
• Cross-sector partnerships with industry and policy-makers

see the programme.

Please prepare a 5-7 minute presentation involving NO MORE than three powerpoint slides. Please submit a brief statement of your intervention to Rasa Pakeltiene at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by September 15.  A selection of short interventions will be made from those submitted before the deadline.

Searching for Common Solutions: the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture and Next Steps

Ricard Ramon, Deputy Head of Unit, Policy Perspectives, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission, BE

In the last years, agri-food policies have been designed and discussed in growingly polarised context. The geopolitical and economic uncertainties have increased since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, forcing EU institutions to reformulate the policy strategies and address some debates in a new manner. While the European Green Deal, aiming at the climate neutrality by 2050, continues to be the growth strategy that the EU has shaped for the next decade, new policy avenues are emerging in order to advance towards sustainable and resilient food systems. Building in a new governance method to cope with the existing polarisation, the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture established the basis for a new consensus across the actors of the agri-food chain with the view to support and guide the future policy action of the European Commission. In his intervention, Mr. Ramon will present the context in which this Dialogue emerged, its characteristics and its final outcome, with a focus on the Recommendations addressed to the EU institutions. He will also outline the next steps established by the European Commission to advance on the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the agri-food within the boundaries of the planet, as well as the first ideas on the Common Agricultural Policy for the period post-2027.

Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture -Reflection on the policy implications from economic perspectives

Krijn Poppe, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, NL

For a reflection on the outcome of the Strategic Dialogue it is important to have a common understanding of the economics in the agri-food sector. This presentation discusses the insights from agricultural economics on the four questions that guided the Dialogue. Based on that, reflections on the outcome raise some points for further discussion.

Markets do not automatically renumerate all the producers. That is not so much the result of unbalanced power in the food chain but due to the slow adjustment processes in agriculture. As labour moves out of agriculture very slowly, the sector is characterised by a large number of farmers that face low incomes. That asks for a social policy in which the current CAP is not very successful: 80% of the direct payments is allocated via the land to the larger, more efficient farms and influences land values. The current mode of operation also leads to a production system that is not within the planetary boundaries. The Dialogue proposes to address this issue with a benchmark system that aligns private and public schemes for improvement. Innovation, technical and social, can play a bigger role. From an economic point of view innovation targets expensive inputs, like labour. Shifting the innovation from ever lower food prices to more sustainable production therefor asks for bringing sustainability aspects into the economic system, e.g. by putting a price on emissions. This asks for certain measures (like the carbon border adjustment mechanism) at the border of the EU, to prevent an unfair competition with imports.

How the EU research Framework Programme supports EU Agricultural and Environmental policy and the Strategic Dialogue

Paul Webb, Head of the “Green Europe” Department, European Research Executive Agency, Brussels, BE

In the last few months there have been many developments that may impact on research and researchers in Europe – a new Commission (including a request to prepare “a new multi-disciplinary Strategy for European Life Sciences”), Draghi and Letta reports on competitiveness and the single market and the Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture. The current strategies (Farm2Fork, bioeconomy, biodiversity etc) continue unchanged for now.  Discussion on the shape, size and ambition of the future Research Framework Programme continues at all levels. There is considerable pressure for radical change, and many voices of caution. Are we likely to see an evolution or a revolution?

And what about the developments already introduced in Horizon Europe, which is, let us not forget, only just over halfway through its cycle? The Multi-actor approach, creation of a better evidence base, better support to innovation and deployment of solutions, co-creation between different services, etc. What was the European Commission seeking in Horizon Europe, and has it succeeded in its aims? How has the JRC been involved in the research structure in the Commission? Finally, how have research institutions been able to adapt to these new challenges? This presentation will address these questions from the point of view of the research funding agency.

On research and innovation: how life science universities do and can contribute to sustainable food systems

Joost Dessein, Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, BE

Farmers are taking to the streets across Europe, while the European Commission has responded with a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. These developments underscore the severe pressures facing the European agricultural sector, which must rethink its future. Consequently, Life Science Universities may need to realign their research focus. In this context, LSUs are confronted with the question of whether their research should primarily aim to sustain an economically viable agricultural sector within the challenge of planetary boundaries, or should instead address the complex and ‘wicked’ concept of "Sustainable Food Systems." The question, "What kind of research and innovation do we need?" appears to be more political than scientific, as it reflects various perspectives and narratives regarding the future of agriculture in Europe.

Life Science Universities often excel in research and education focused on the biophysical and agronomic aspects of agriculture. However, despite the recent rise of Living Labs, Multi-Actor Approaches, and inter- and transdisciplinary initiatives, they struggle to effectively engage with the sociological and political dimensions of Sustainable Food Systems. This raises the question of how we can make our research and education more future-proof, and whether we are training engineers and graduates for the job market or for society as a whole. Renewed attention to the role of imagination can inspire pathways of innovation. This keynote draws from examples of education and research in various Belgian and European contexts.

Do Life Science University graduates have the skills to cocreate environmental and social policies? 

Sebastian Goerg, TUMCS for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Straubing, DE

In a rapidly evolving world, graduates face increasing expectations to contribute to environmental and social policy development, particularly within the context of the bioeconomy. While academic programs are traditionally designed to equip students with discipline-specific skills, the pressing need for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration demands a broader approach. This talk will explore how we can better prepare graduates to transcend disciplinary boundaries, fostering a mindset that encourages co-creation and communication with policymakers and other stakeholders.

I will examine how curricular and extra-curricular activities can be leveraged to build essential competencies in interdisciplinary dialogue, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. The aim is to cultivate graduates who are not only experts in their field but also effective communicators and able to work on challenges at the intersection of science, industry, and policy.

Ben Durham
Chief director: Bio-Innovation at the National Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa
Ben Durham responsibilities include the implementation of the South African Bio-economy Strategy, the ultimate purpose of which is to ensure strategic socio-economic and environmental benefits from bio-innovation. Ben is on various local and international bodies – including the International Advisory Committee on Global Bioeconomy - and is leading the charge on the Bioeconomy Initiative under South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025.

 
Martin Greimel
Head of the Centre for Bioeconomy, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria 
Martin Greimel is coordinating all relevant activities of BOKU related to bioeconomy. He has chaired the European Bioeconomy University Alliance (EBU) till end 2024. He was a civil servant at the Austrian Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management where he was responsible for international cooperation in the field of forestry research and member of a group that developed the Austrian Bioeconomy RTI Strategy. He was coordinator, deputy coordinator and partner in several ERA-NET and other EU Framework Programme initiatives related to bioeconomy and forestry research. From 2004 till 2006 he was a National Expert at the European Commission in the DG Research; Dir Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food Research. He was Vice Chair of the COST Domain Forest, Products and Services and member of the Forest Technology Platform management group.

Luka Juvančič
Head of Bioeconomy Research Centre, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia 
Luka Juvančič is an agricultural and resource economist.  He is Associate Professor of Economics of Natural Resources at the Biotechnical Faculty, where he is leading the newly established Centre for Circular Bioeconomy. His research record spans widely in terms of roles (researcher, principal investigator, project leader), research topics (impact analysis and evaluation of agricultural and rural development policies, risk management, environmental and ecological economics, bioeconomy) and methodological approaches (macroeconomic models, spatial econometrics, system modelling, environmental accounting methods, economic experiments). Narrowing down to his work related to bioeconomy, research achievements worth highlighting include the coordination and preparation of evidence base on biomass availability, biomass use and economic performance of bioeconomy in Slovenia (project Bridge2Bio) and BIOEAST region (project BIOEASTsUP). He is a frequent contributor (publications, events) on the topics concerning business models, policies and RDI support for bioeconomy, extending these topics to teaching (course leader, supervisor) and professional work (co-chair SCAR WG Bioeconomy, member BIOEAST TWG Education).

Jukka Kantola
Chair, World Bioeconomy Association
Jukka Kantola is a seasoned executive and internationally recognised advocate for the circular bioeconomy, with 30 years of leadership experience across Europe and Asia. As the Founder of the World Bioeconomy Forum and the Chair of the World Bioeconomy Association, Jukka has worked to elevate the global bioeconomy agenda by engaging stakeholders from industry, policy, finance, and research. Jukka’s work focuses on biomass valorisation, bio-based innovation, and fostering global cooperation in support of sustainable development. He regularly contributes to high-level dialogues (e.g., COP, G20) and co-authored the flagship report Financing a Sustainable Global Bioeconomy (2024), outlining strategies to align capital with bioeconomy goals. Jukka hold an eMBA from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree in Engineering from Aalto University.

Klara Loch
President, International Forestry Students’ Association – IFSA
Theresa Klara Loch is an early-stage researcher and PhD student in forest and environmental policy at the University of Freiburg, Germany. Her research explores social and social-ecological networks in forest governance, taking a relational approach grounded in an interdisciplinary perspective.
She recently completed her term as President of the International Forestry Students' Association (IFSA) for 2024/25 and has been active in youth, climate justice, and gender equity networks for several years. She is also involved in the IUFRO ForGEDI Task Force, advocating for greater equity and diversity in forest-related fields.

Tapio Määttä
Rector of University of Eastern Finland. Chair of the EBU Presidency. Professor of Environmental Law

Geert Marsmans
Cargill Vice President, R&D FOOD EMEA
Geert Cargill is an activist and practitioner in food industry innovation. A business leader with a deep passion for research and science, he enjoys building high-impact teams—bringing together colleagues and stakeholders to transform knowledge into tangible value. Geert represents Cargill at industry associations, research consortia and start-ups. He is board member at the European Specialty Food Ingredients association, at the European Technology Platform Food for Life, an (advisory) board member of several institutes and start-ups in ingredient discovery and technology development. A lifelong learner, Geert holds a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences and an engineering degree in Chemical and Biological Industries. His education also includes studies in business administration and innovation leadership. Prior to joining Cargill, Geert had worked at academia, at an SME, and at stock-quoted multinationals.

Mona-Anitta Riihimäki
Chair of ICA CoP for Bioeconomy Education & Dean at Häme University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Mona-Anitta Riihimäki is Dean of the School of Biotechnology and Natural Resources. Mona is Chair of the Committee for Natural Resources Education, of the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences. In October 2024 she started to act as a chair of ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education (CoP Bio-Edu). Lately she has been involved in national assessment of Bioeconomy Higher Education as a evaluation team member (Finnish Education Evaluation Centre FinEEC). In 2025 she’ll continue the work, when the role of sustainability in all education levels will be in FinEEC’s focus.

Caroline Sundberg
Head of The Universities in South Sweden Brussels Representation, Belgium
Caroline Sundberg, Head of The Universities in South Sweden (Lärosäten Syd) Brussels Representation. The Universities in South Sweden is a regional platform that brings together Blekinge Institute of Technology, Halmstad University, Kristianstad University, Linnæus University, Lund University, Malmö University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The Brussels representations’ role is to increase the profile of the universities at the EU level, to improve the monitoring and influencing of EU policy programmes and to support the building of closer international partnerships. An overall goal is to support an increased participation in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe.

Caroline is member of The Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF) Working Group on EU-policy and programme initiatives in Research, Innovation and Higher Education, an advisory group to the Expert Group on Internationalisation. Caroline has a background in Higher Education policy and has been based in Brussels since 2017. She has worked both in politics and policy over the years. Caroline is a Lund University alumnus in Political Science and Gender Studies and Erasmus alumni from Sciences Po, Paris.

Peter Wehrheim
Head of Unit  "Food Systems and Bioeconomy" DG Research & Innovation, European Commission, Belgium
Prior to his present assignment Peter Wehrheim worked for the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan. He is a member of the International Advisory Council to the Global Bioeconomy (IACGB). From 2010 to 2018 he was Head of Unit for Land Use and Climate Finance in Directorate-General for Climate Action. Before 2004, Peter worked at the Universities of Bonn/DE, Maryland/US (with a Heisenberg scholarship of the German Research Foundation) and Kiel/DE. Between 1994 and 2004 he worked as a part-time consultant for the World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI / Washington), the German Bank for Reconstruction (KfW) and other development agencies. He received his doctoral degree (and his habilitation) in agricultural economics from the University of Giessen (University of Bonn, Germany) and comes from a vinery in southern Germany.

Elena Zepharovich
Scientific Officer, EC Joint Research Centre (GRC) Ispra, Italy
Elena Zepharovich is a project officer working within the Land Resources and Supply Chain Assessments Unit on bioeconomy-related projects. She holds a PhD in Geography and Sustainable Development from the University of Bern, where her research addressed deforestation and environmental justice in Argentina’s Chaco region. At JRC, she develops innovative methods to assess land-based biomass sustainability, aligning with EU policies aimed at balancing biomass production, biodiversity preservation, and climate mitigation. She also contributes to policy analysis efforts supporting the European Green Deal and biomass policies.

Book your hotel

For reference, when selecting your hotel please note that the ICA Rectors and Deans Froum will be held at BOKU University, 
Peter-Jordan-Straße 82/II, 1190 Vienna.

Living Hotel Kaiser Franz Joseph
BOKU is pleased to recommend Living Hotel Kaiser Franz Joseph, with which BOKU has a long-standing partnership. The hotel enjoys an excellent reputation for both comfort and service.  It is conveniently located for our event. It is within 25 minutes walking distance of BOKU University, and provides easy access to the Gala Dinner venue via public transport.

55 rooms has been reserved exclusively for participants until Friday, 26 September 2026. After this date the remaining rooms will be released, and availability cannot be guaranteed.

Thanks to BOKU's partnership, delegates benefit from a special discounted rate of around 98€ per night single occupancy including breakfast, depending on the room selected.  When booking indicate the following reservation codes
Option A: Enter the corporate code BOKU25 in the "corporate box on the booking form" when booking directly on the hotel website;
OR
Option B: Contact the hotel directly by email and mention the booking code BOKU25 and the name of the event ICA Forum 2025 organised by BOKU University.

• Address: Sieveringer Straße 4, 1190 Vienna
• Phone: +43 1 32900 0
• Website: living-hotels.com/hotel-kaiser-franz-joseph-wien/
• E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• General Information: “The nice one in the vicinity”
• Public transport travel information to BOKU: (click here).
• Walking distance from BOKU: ~ 25 minutes uphill (click here)

Other recommended hotels:

In addition to the hotel Living Hotel Kaiser Franz Joseph BOKU is pleased to suggest the following three hotels based on excellent reviews and convenient locations, ensuring easy access to the event venues

Boutiquehotel Stadthalle, although slightly further from the university, this hotel is conveniently located along the metro line, providing easy access to the campus and Gala Dinner venues. It is a green-certified hotel.  BOKU University also has already collaborated with this in the past.  It is the world’s first city hotel with a Zero Energy Balance.

• Address: Hackengasse 20, 1150 Vienna
• Phone: +43 1 982 42 72 / +43 1 982 42 50
• Website: https://www.hotelstadthalle.at/index-en.html
• E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Public transport travel information to BOKU: click here

Hotel Am Parkring is a hotel with which BOKU University has also previously collaborated, offering comfortable rooms in a central location.

• Address: Parkring 12, 1010 Vienna
• Phone: +431514800
• Website: https://www.hotelamparkring.wien/
• E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Public transport travel information to BOKU: click here

Hotel Stefanie, which BOKU University has also collaborated, is officially recognised as the oldest hotel in Vienna. While it is a little more distant from BOKU, its central location makes it an excellent base to explore the city.

• Address: Taborstrasse 12, 1020 Vienna
• Phone: +43 1 211 50 0
• Website: https://www.hotelstefanie.wien/en/
• E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Public transport travel information to BOKU: click here

PLEASE CONTACT

Dr Rasa Pakeltiene
ICA Secretary General
Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA)

Tel: +370 672 00184
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