The event was opened by IAMO Director Thomas Herzfeld. In his speech he looked back at the stand-out achievements of the staff and former staff of the institute. The establishment of the institute and the relocation to the Weinberg Campus Technologiepark in Halle (Saale) in particular represented a major challenge for the founding directorate team. Over the years, IAMO has evolved progressively with regard to its thematic and geographic focal points, as well as the size and significance of the establishment. In the meantime, the institute can now look back on over 3,000 publications, 120 doctorates, seven post-doctoral qualifications and four successful evaluations. The experience gathered over the last 30 years has been used to develop new future prospects for the institute.
Michael Lehmann, Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and Environment of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, delivered a welcome address to the attendees. He is Deputy Chair of the IAMO Board of Trustees and has supported the work at the institute for many years. Lehmann confirmed that the excellent results of the last evaluation in 2023 were down to the great efforts made by staff and the successes that they have achieved. In particular, he pointed out that IAMO, with its relevant research topics, including climate change and environmental risks, innovative technologies and artificial intelligence, international trade and food security, is a decisive partner for interaction with the world of politics, international organisations, business and society. One noteworthy characteristic of the institute is knowledge transfer to transition countries, together with the research work in the study regions themselves and capacity building with regard to researchers from the regions. Alongside its global presence, IAMO also plays a key role in amplifying Saxony-Anhalt as a science location.
Former staff at the institute then went on to present testimonial lectures.
Martin Petrick of Justus Liebig University Giessen detailed why the political transformation that began in 1990 formed the basis for the research carried out at IAMO. The break-up of the Soviet Union and the reforms of the successor states led to far-reaching restructuring processes in agriculture. Petrick pointed out that the accessibility and orderly evaluation of reliable datasets are of decisive significance for agro-economic research. The exchange of research content also forms a key social component of the work. He went on to summarise that the institute fulfils a unique task within the German research landscape and that there are ample grounds for a successful future for IAMO.
Nataliya Zinych, John Deere GmbH & Co. KG, reported on her professional career and experience at a leading agricultural equipment manufacturer. She detailed the impact that political framework conditions can have on the company, customers and the agricultural sector as a whole. This requires the company to respond with European, international or global strategies. Particular focal points of John Deere Germany in this respect are consequently sustainability, agricultural policy, international collaboration and access to data and technologies. As the company accesses findings and experience from research establishments and associations, interlinking and interaction between science and academia is of particular importance.
The lecture was followed by the prize award ceremony of the IAMO Alumni Association. IAMO research administrator Marianne Müller-Albinsky received a distinction for her outstanding service. Not only does she advise and support the researchers of the institute in their research work, she also brings them together and co-ordinates networks. Moreover, she is the Chair of the Staff Council at the institute and represents the scientific/academic establishments of the state of Saxony-Anhalt in the structural committees.
The event also saw the staging of a special “World Café/Speed Dating” with IAMO alumni from diverse fields, including research, public administration, consulting and business. This event enabled the doctoral researchers to conduct intensive discussions with the alumni and to network with them. The doctoral researchers benefit from the comprehensive knowledge and experience of the alumni. The World Café/Speed Dating was organised by the IAMO Council of Doctoral Researchers and the IAMO Alumni Association.
The photo gallery of the festive event “30 Years of IAMO” can be found here.
