350 years of the University of Innsbruck - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2019 - 90 Euro Cent

The University of Innsbruck was founded 350 years ago. Austrian Post is congratulating it on this major anniversary with a commemorative stamp. The foundation stone upon which establishment of this venerable alma mater rested was the so-called “Haller salt surcharge” (Haller Salzaufschlag). The special tax, approved by Emperor Leopold I in 1669, provided funding for a regional university for Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The first faculty was the Faculty of Philosophy, followed in 1671 by the faculties of Theology and Law, and later by the Faculty of Medicine. The first main building was built in 1673. Following the abolition of the Jesuit order by Pope Clemens XIV, in 1776 the university moved to its former location in Universitätsstraße, which is still home to the Faculty of Theology today. In 1810 the university was – for the second time – converted into a grammar school, but it was restored to the status of a university by Emperor Francis (Franz) I in 1826 and has borne the name “Leopold-Franzens University” ever since. The University grows In the course of the 19th century further departments were added, meaning that soon more space was required. Women were admitted for the first time in the academic year of 1897/98, but initially only to the Faculty of Philosophy. A new main building was opened in 1924. During the second half of the 20th century the university expanded still further, and is now the largest educational institution in western Austria. In 2004 the Faculty of Medicine separated off to become a university in its own right and the remaining faculties were re-organised. As a result of the Bologna process, an international system of studies with bachelor's, masters and doctoral degrees was introduced in 2007. Today around 28,000 people are studying at the University of Innsbruck, more than half of whom are women. The university focuses on five areas in its research: Alpine space – man and environment; cultural encounters – cultural conflicts; molecular biosciences; physics and scientific computing. The design on the stamp shows the university's seal from the year 1673 and a depiction of the Babenburg Margrave Leopold III, whom Emperor Leopold I had made the patron saint of the federal province. Leopold III was also venerated as the patron saint of the university.