Rector Michael Hoch
The Rector is the head of the University of Bonn. He acts as its representative and ensures that University rules are observed.
He is the head of the Rectorate and is responsible for the University’s strategic objectives. He also coordinates implementation of these objectives. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch has been the 143rd Rector of the University of Bonn since May 2015. He was elected for a further term of office (2021–2025) by the members of the University’s Electoral Assembly in October 2020. The Rector is assisted by the Rectorate’s Executive Management, the personal assistants to the Rector, Rector’s Office and Rector’s Press Officer and Deputy Press Officer.
The Rector is responsible for the area of knowledge transfer.

Dear members of our University,
Dear visitors,
Founded more than 200 years ago, the University of Bonn is located in the German city of the United Nations and second center of the German federal government in a unique region of cutting-edge international research. Chosen as a University of Excellence, it is known worldwide for its top-level networked research and teaching.
Many of our departments are leaders in their areas compared to the international competition. With six Clusters of Excellence (unique feature), two Nobel Prizes in the last 30 years (unique feature) and two Fields Medals (unique feature), we are also one of the top research universities in Germany.
Our excellent researchers in seven faculties and six Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs) are helping to provide answers to the challenges of the future.
I look forward to working with our students, researchers, instructors, employees and partners here and worldwide to continue the ongoing development of our University.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Hoch
Rector of the University of Bonn
Curriculum Vitae
- since 2015 - 143rd Rector of the University of Bonn
- since september 2022 - Second Chairman of the university alliance German U15
- 2023 - President of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
- 2023 - “Rector of the Year 2023” (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
- 2021 - “Rector of the Year 2021” (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
- 2020 - Re-elected as Rector of the University of Bonn
- 2020 - “Rector of the Year 2020” (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
- 2019 - “University Manager of the Year 2019” (CHE and DIE ZEIT)
- 2000–2006 - Co-founder of the Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) and Spokesperson for the LIMES Alliance
- since 1999 - University Professor of Molecular Developmental Biology at the University of Bonn
- 1983–1989 - Studies in Biology in Heidelberg and Paris

The University of Bonn started the academic year 2022/2023 with a ceremony in the packed main auditorium of the University Main Building.
After a long unplanned pandemic break, a delegation from the University of Bonn’s Rectorate and International Office visited four partner universities and several research organizations in Japan and formed new cooperation agreements. The goal of the visit was to reinvigorate the University’s existing partnerships and to prepare the ground for further collaborations in research and teaching. Topics of the exchanges were current developments in the German and Japanese higher education and research landscapes as well as university initiatives for more sustainable futures.
On Monday, the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) named our Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch “Rector of the Year.”
Contact
Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael Hoch
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Jonas Fehres
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Dr. Nicolas Bickmann
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Heidrun Schneider-Klinkosch
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Svenja Killmer
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Bettina Lange
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Ruzica Sajic
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn

Press Service
Please direct any press inquiries to the Press Service.
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Also see
The Provost
Holger Gottschalk has been the head of the University administration since 2017. His goal is to achieve agile university management.
University Council
The University Council advises the Rectorate, supervises the Rectorate’s Executive Management and elects the members of the Rectorate during the University’s Electoral Assembly.
enaCom Transfer Center
The enaCom Transfer Center is the point of contact for all matters relating to knowledge and technology transfer—for everyone interested in working together with us.