idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Science needs diversity, open-mindedness, and liberty. These values are “non-negotiable,” stated President Jutta Günther at the traditional “unifreunde” Assocation’s New Year's Reception at Bremen City Hall. On Tuesday, she spoke to around 300 guests from the worlds of politics, science, business, and society. The newly appointed professors were also warmly welcomed.
The president emphasized that academic liberty must be resolutely defended in the face of global attacks on democratic principles. The new autocrats' aim is to replace the struggle for an understanding of reality – academic discourse – with a contest of mere opinions, in which the might of the loudest prevails instead of the much more arduous search for truth. Attacks on the truth are also attacks on science and democracy.
As an example of the decline in academic liberty, Günther cited the Russian Ministry of Justice's decision to classify the German Association for East European Studies (DGO) – an interdisciplinary, academic society – as "extremist." ”With disastrous consequences for all of its work here in Germany.” In her speech, she emphasized that the University of Bremen is taking responsibility for protecting academia as the backbone of an open and democratic society and is clearly committed to democracy, diversity, and open-mindedness. It is determined to make its contribution to solving global challenges.
Partial Success in the Excellence Strategy
The past year has been a pivotal one for the University of Bremen, stated the president. In addition to the follow-up application for the existing “The Ocean Floor” Cluster of Excellence, a second full proposal was submitted on the topic of “The Martian Mindset." The decision on funding is expected to be announced on May 22. The president praised the outstanding work of the teams involved and emphasized that they are laying the foundation for the planned joint proposal with the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg in the University of Excellence funding line. “Our two reform universities are united not only by many years of cooperation, but also by the guiding principle of sustainability and a clear sense of social responsibility. Building on this, we want to deepen our partnership in the future and expand our joint links with non-university partners, as well as with industry and society,” she explained.
Sustainability Strategy for the Entire University
The university has underscored its claim to be a transformative university by adopting a sustainability strategy. This commitment is also reflected in the further development of the YUFE (“Young Universities for the Future of Europe”) initiative, which aims to strengthen global networking going forward. “This means also bringing strategic partners outside Europe on board in order to broaden student exchanges, for example.”
On behalf of the university, she welcomed numerous newly appointed professors to the University of Bremen. Their areas of expertise range from polar observation to cell biology, retail and logistics management, and clinical psychology.
The traditional New Year's Reception for the University of Bremen and Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University) is organized by the “unifreunde” association, which seeks to support academic endeavors. In addition to the university president, the Senator for Environment, Climate, and Science, Kathrin Moosdorf, Peter Hoedemaker, chair of the “unifreunde” association, and Stanislav Protasov, president of Constructor University, also gave speeches.
Chair of the “unifreunde” association, Peter Hoedemaker, University president, Jutta Günther, the Se ...
Annemarie Popp
Universität Bremen / Annemarie Popp
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