In memoriam Professor Dr. Franz Kappel, University of Graz
In memoriam Professor Dr. Franz Kappel, University of Graz
Amidst the corona virus crisis and pandemy ASEA-UNINET has suffered a heavy loss: Professor Franz Kappel, one of the most active members of the network has passed away, leaving the network community in deep sadness, but also with invaluable memories of his manifold activities.
Professor Kappel was an active member of ASEA-UNINET already in the initial phase of the network, creating links to South East Asian institutions and being a member of the interview teams selecting candidates for scholarships of the Austrian government for doctoral studies, training and research programmes. Indonesian universities, in particular Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta, became soon a main focus of his engagement as guest lecturer and host for Ph.D. candidates. These ties intensified during the years, he rented a house in Yogyakarta to spend most of his holiday time working with and for the department of mathematics of UGM. Numerous prominent staff members of this department are his former students and through these, his lectures and organizational contributions one can truly state that he has formed the department’s present shape and scientific performance. His former scholars have reached leading positions, such as professorship, head of department and dean/vice-dean, making his impact and spirit perceptible up to date.
In the course of his professional contacts with ASEA-UNINET and the colleagues in Indonesia, Professor Kappel has also established many private and familiar contacts, and thus is leaving a large community mourning for him and expressing feelings of sympathy and condolence to his family.
ASEA-UNINET will always gratefully remember the pivotal and sustainable role Professor Kappel has played in the network, and his kind personality which made cooperation with him successful and pleasant alike.
April 22, 2020
Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. mult. Bernd Michael Rode
Honorary President
ASEA-UNINET
In memoriam Prof. Kappel: Testimonials and Pictures
Some pictures taken during Prof. Kappel’s visit to the University of the Philippines, 2010 (© Prof. Hartmut Kahlert, Graz University of Technology).
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