At a special ceremony, Vienna Insurance Group CEO Günter Geyer received an honorary doctorate from the University of Economics in Bratislava.

Günter Geyer became a member of the Managing Board of Slovakian insurer Kooperativa when it was founded in 1990, and has been Chairman of the company's Supervisory Board since 1998. In those roles he has played a significant part in establishing Kooperativa as one of the leading insurers in the Slovakian market.

In his speech, the University's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rudolf Sivák, PhD, spoke highly of Mr Geyer's services to the Slovakian insurance industry. "Günter Geyer is a widely respected figure in the insurance sector. He played a vital role in the growth of the industry in Central and Eastern Europe during the region's transition to a market economy. I would also like to single out his past and present contribution to the development of the Slovakian insurance industry. Mr Geyer has more than two decades of experience of the Slovak economy, and has been closely involved in forcing economic links between Slovakia and Austria."

"I am extremely honoured to receive this doctorate. Following Slovakia's dynamic development over the past 20 years has been a fascinating experience, and I am very proud to have played my part in it. The dedication with which the Slovak people have driven forward progress in their country is remarkable. Our Slovakian partners and the country's economic success are very important to me personally," said Mr Geyer.

The University of Economics in Bratislava was founded in 1940 and offers high quality bachelor's, master's and doctoral qualifications in 64 business and management degree programmes. It is the leading business and economics university in Slovakia with currently more than 12,000 students. Its curriculum includes around 100 subjects, including numerous foreign language courses. The university has an extensive international network with 68 partner institutions worldwide and links with 215 universities as part of the Erasmus programme. Its graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects both in Slovakia and abroad. The university has a chair for the insurance industry, offering a degree programme in insurance.