University Council

The University Council supports the University Management with the development of the university. The chairperson of the University Council is elected by the University Council's ordinary members by simple majority. The functions of the University Council are listed in the University Constitution.

Currently, the University Council consists of the following ordinary members:

Zoltán Szalai
(Representative of the Owner - MCC)

42-year-old Germanist, cultural historian, director general of Mathias Corvinus Collegium, editor-in-chief at Mandiner news magazine, chairman of the board of Libri -Bookline Plc. He holds a Master's degree in German language and literature with secondary school teaching qualification from Eötvös Loránd University, a Master's degree in Human Resource Counseling from the University of Pécs, and a “summa cum laude” Ph.D degree from the ELTE Doctoral Program in German Studies. He broadened his knowledge through numerous scholarships including in Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Munich, London and Leipzig. He has been Director General of Mathias Corvinus Collegium since 2009, and since 2017 he has been director at Mandiner news magazine. He is married, father of two sons.

Balázs Szepesi
(Representative of the Owner - MCC)

Economist, sociologist, PhD in political science. He graduated at the Budapest University of Economics and at the Central European University. He started his career in 1999 at the Ministry of Economy. He worked for the National Development Office as head of department for Evaluation, Analysis and Modelling between 2003 and 2006 – his unit supported the preparation of national programs utilizing EU development funds. He led the research project ‘Report on the State of Capitalism in Hungary’ in 2008-2009. In 2009 he founded the Hétfa Research Institute with his fellows. He is the founder and editor of an online magazine, the Összkép (Big Picture) since 2015. He worked for the Ministry of Innovation and Technology as Deputy State Secretary for Economic Development between 2018 to 2020 – he was responsible for the SME policy programs of the government, and he coordinated the elaboration of the government's strategy to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises. From 2020 he is the Head of the School of Economics and the Institute on Entrepreneurship Research at Mathias Corvinus Collegium. He has led several research on the operation and characteristics of Hungarian enterprises and he is one of the founders of the Enterprise Research Network in Hungary. He was teaching throughout his career, he is a permanent teacher at the Rajk College for Advanced Studies, a patron teacher at the Széchenyi István College, and has taught several times at the Debrecen College of Economics. He has two children.

Botond Varga
(Representative of the Owner - MCC)

Botond Varga is Managing Director of LTE Hungária Kft. (Member of LTE-Group). Born in Vienna, Botond spent the first years of his life in Austria before moving back with his family to Budapest, Hungary. He has always taken advantage of the German language he learned as a mother tongue. First by attending a bilingual (German-Hungarian) secondary school in Budapest and later on in his bachelor studies at the Budapest Business School's (today Budapest Business University) Faculty of International Management and Business as well, where he studied international economics and business, and international relations specifying in EU-relations. After graduation (2005), Botond successfully applied for the post-graduate studies of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, where he graduated as MSc in Business and Management with a scope of Production Organization, Production Control and Logistics in 2008.

In 2005, during his postgraduate studies, Botond started working for a Hungarian private freight railway company, where he was assistant to the management and responsible for international relations and sales besides administration. Afterwards, in 2008, Botond was offered the possibility to build up the Hungarian branch of LTE Logistik- und Transport- GmbH, an Austrian based freight railway undertaking, serving customers throughout Europe. It was a great challenge for him, as he had to setup an operating company in a field known for its strict rules. LTE Hungary became very successful in the short term becoming an employer of more than 70 coworkers using their own traction (locomotives), personnel (loco drivers and wagon inspectors) and partially with their own railcars. Botond is managing director of LTE Hungária Kft. and steers the company as a proud member of LTE-Group. He is also a founding board member of HUPRA, the Hungarian Private Railway Association, an organization representing the interest of the private railway sector in Hungary. Botond lives in Budaörs, a suburb of Budapest in Hungary, is married and has a daughter and a son.

Karim Jalloul
(Representative of the industry or a public institution nominated by the owners)

Karim Jalloul was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and later relocated to Austria with his family during his childhood. Having completed his education at the Military High School in Austria and fulfilling his military service commitment, Karim initiated his professional endeavors while simultaneously pursuing further education. He became part of IAS (International Aviation Security) at Vienna Airport, a company associated with Trans World Airlines.

In 1993, he successfully graduated from the International Center for Hospitality Management MODUL in Vienna. Over the course of his career, he gained extensive experience in the hotel industry, starting from entry-level roles and progressing to managerial and executive positions. Additionally, he played pivotal roles as a founder and shareholder in various hospitality ventures.

Karim's professional journey included notable stints with renowned companies such as Country Inns & Suites by Radisson, Marco Polo Hotels & Resorts, Lifestyle Living Hotels & Residences, Lake’s Hotel in Austria (located on Wörthersee), Grand Hotel Vienna, The Ring Hotel Vienna, and the Kneissl Sports brand. Alongside his managerial roles, he shared his expertise as a lecturer at the International Center for Hospitality MODUL in Vienna from 2000 to 2020.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Karim was actively involved in various advisory and ambassadorial roles. He became a member of the Executive Club at the College of Higher Education Vienna, Co-Chairman of the Industry Advisory Board of Modul University, a Member of the Advisory Board of Green Tourism Group, and an Ambassador for Teach for Austria. Since its establishment in 2009, Karim has held the position of Vice-Chairman of the "Dr. Michael Häupl Förderungsfonds," a fund dedicated to supporting higher education for students in need.

Elisabeth Köstinger
(Representative of the industry or a public institution nominated by the owners)

Elisabeth Köstinger is a former Austrian politician who was Member of European Parliament from 2009 to 2017, and subsequently served as Minister for Agriculture, Sustainability and Tourism in the Government of Chancellors Kurz, Schallenberg and Nehammer. She retired from politics in 2022 to become an entrepreneur, investor and non-executive board member of Ryanair.

Prof. Dr. Alfred Posamentier
(Representative of another university or research institution nominated by the University Board)

Alfred S. Posamentier is currently Distinguished Lecturer at New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York. Prior to that he was Executive Director for Internationalization and Funded Programs at Long Island University, New York. This was preceded by 5 years as Dean of the School of Education and Professor of Mathematics Education at Mercy College, New York. Before that he was for 40 years at The City College of the City University of New York, at which he is now Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Education at and Dean Emeritus of the School of Education. He is the author and co-author of more than 80 mathematics books for teachers, secondary and elementary school students, as well as the general readership. Dr. Posamentier is also a frequent commentator in newspapers and journals on topics related to education.

Prof. Karl Wöber
Extraordinary members with an advisory vote

President / Rector of Modul University Vienna - see Prof. Wöber’s profile

THE MU CONSTITUTION

The term 'constitution' refers to the principles and rules that underpin the day to day running of our university. Our constitution defines the powers of different university committees and demonstrates how they relate to each other.

Read Modul University Vienna's Constitution