XVII VOLUME OF THE ENCYCLOPEDIA-COMPENDIUM HISTORY OF INSURANCE IN AUSTRIA PRESENTED AT THE UNIVERSITY BUSINESS ACADEMY
A ceremonial presentation of the XVII volume of the encyclopedia-compendium History of Insurance in Austria was held on June 8, 2026, in the amphitheater of the Faculty of Law for Commerce and Judiciary at the University Business Academy in Novi Sad. The publication is authored by Prof. Wolfgang Rohrbach, PhD, a member of the European Academy of Sciences and one of Europe’s leading scholars in the field of insurance history.
Nearly a decade ago, the University Business Academy hosted the presentation of the XIII volume of this distinguished encyclopedia-compendium, thereby establishing a tradition of promoting one of the most significant international publishing projects in the field of insurance history. The presentation of the XVII volume continued the successful cooperation between Professor Rohrbach and the University, reaffirming their shared commitment to preserving professional and scholarly heritage.
The event was opened by Prof. Milan Počuča, PhD, Rector of the University Business Academy in Novi Sad, and Prof. Dragana Ćorić, PhD, Provincial Protector of Citizens – Ombudsman, who emphasized the importance of scientific cooperation, the preservation of professional heritage, and the continuous development of the fields of law and insurance. Their remarks further highlighted the significance of international research projects and the importance of strengthening ties between academia, industry, and the wider professional community.
The central part of the program was dedicated to the presentation of the XVII volume and its contribution to the development of the insurance profession. Distinguished experts and university professors specializing in law and insurance, including representatives of the Association of Serbian Insurers, members of the academic community, and representatives of the insurance industry, shared their perspectives on the importance of this publication for both the scholarly and professional communities.
Speaking about the origins of this extensive work, Professor Rohrbach explained that the idea of writing an encyclopedia based on historical facts had first emerged more than four decades ago.
"From the very beginning, forty years ago, I intended to write an encyclopedia grounded in historical facts. I have often heard people say that nothing can be learned from history, but I firmly believe the opposite. Just as chess players study previous games and moves, insurance relies on lessons drawn from the past. No insurance premium can be calculated without knowledge of previous losses, floods, thefts, and other events. Everything we know and everything we are has been learned from history," Professor Rohrbach stated.
He further noted that the XVII volume places particular emphasis on the influence of industrial revolutions on the development of insurance.
"We have witnessed five industrial revolutions, all of which have had a profound impact on insurance, and this is one of the themes explored in the volume. Today, we also have artificial intelligence, which can significantly improve the speed of work and data processing, but it cannot replace human beings. It can only make use of what humanity has already created. This is why I believe that everyone engaged in scholarly work must understand their past, because without it they cannot effectively plan their future," the author emphasized.
On behalf of the host institution, Prof. Milan Počuča, PhD, Rector of the University Business Academy in Novi Sad, addressed the audience, highlighting the value of the University's long-standing cooperation with Professor Rohrbach and the importance of this scholarly project for the academic community.
"For the second time, our University has the honor of presenting a compendium whose Editor-in-Chief is our great friend, Professor Wolfgang Rohrbach, member of the European Academy of Sciences. Our cooperation spans more than two decades, and we are particularly pleased that several professors from our University have contributed to individual volumes of this publication. This work has been recognized as a scholarly publication of exceptional quality, and we are proud to present it to our students, faculty members, and insurance professionals," said Rector Milan Počuča.
According to Rector Počuča, the encyclopedia represents a significant contribution to the academic community and serves as a valuable source of knowledge for future generations of researchers and professionals.
The event brought together numerous representatives of the academic community, experts in the fields of law and insurance, representatives of the insurance industry, students, and guests interested in the development of legal science, economics, and insurance. The presentation provided an opportunity not only to introduce the latest volume of this major publication, but also to encourage dialogue on the importance of historical experience for understanding contemporary social, economic, and legal processes.
The presentation of the XVII volume of the encyclopedia-compendium History of Insurance in Austria once again reaffirmed the University Business Academy’s commitment to strengthening international academic cooperation, promoting scientific excellence, and fostering dialogue between academia, industry, and the wider professional community. The event conveyed a powerful message that understanding the past remains one of the essential prerequisites for successfully addressing future challenges and advancing society, the economy, and the insurance profession.
