MediaLab Europe boss steps down


5 Nov 2002

Dr Rudy Burger (pictured) has stepped down as CEO of MIT’s (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Dublin subsidiary MediaLab Europe, marking the end of the lab’s initial phase of development.

It is understood that Dr Burger will continue to act as an advisor to the board of MediaLab Europe and will continue in his role of Visiting Scientist at the MIT lab. Professor Kenneth Hasse as been appointed as an acting director of the lab for the next six months until a permanent director is appointed.

Since establishing MIT MediaLab Europe in Dublin a little over two years ago, Burger has been instrumental in its development on its 10,000 sq ft site, bringing employment there to over 100 people and securing on average some €50m per annum between the Dublin operation and its Boston parent, MIT. It is understood that the Government has contributed some €30m in the development.

A recent coup for MIT MediaLab Europe was the decision by mobile operator Orange to become a research partner of the lab for an initial three-year period.

MediaLab Europe’s chairman, acclaimed technologist Nicholas Negroponte said of Dr Burger: “As a successful entrepreneur, he contributed greatly to the establishment of MediaLab Europe, putting in place the infrastructure to support its early development. I would like to acknowledge and thank him for his personal contribution.”

It is understood that the Dublin operation’s next phase of development will be marked by consolidating its present achievements and deepening its research and interaction with Boston-based MIT.

By John Kennedy