The opening of the academic year 2025/2026 at the University of Bonn

University of Bonn confidently starts the new academic year

 The University of Bonn opened the 2025/26 academic year with a ceremony in the auditorium on Monday, 20 October 2025. The focus was on the speech by Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch. The University's International Choir and the Campus Brass Ensemble provided musical accompaniment for the evening. Bonn's mayor, Gabi Mayer, delivered a welcoming address, while AStA chair Sean Bonkowski contributed the student perspective. Four individuals were honoured with the University Medal: Prof. Klaus Borchard, Prof. Dieter Engels, Prof. Wolfgang Löwer and Prof. Sigrid D. Peyerimhoff.

The Rector's speech – review and assessment

Rector Hoch looked back on a year marked by global uncertainties: from Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine to the continuing tense situation in the Middle East and the profound changes in the international order. He emphasised the increasing threat to freedom of research and teaching worldwide and referred to the upheavals in the international scientific landscape, which also affect the mobility of researchers and talent flows.

 The financial conditions at federal and state level also remained challenging. At the same time, Hoch focused on the social situation of students: despite the reform of the BAföG student loan system, high living costs and a housing shortage made everyday student life difficult, with international students often particularly affected. The university provided support within the limits of its capabilities.

Despite everything, the past year has been ‘eventful and extraordinary’: from November 2024 to February 2025, eight clusters of excellence and new initiatives successfully completed their evaluations – a huge undertaking involving many participants, and an effort that was well worth it: all of them emerged as winners from the funding decision in May this year. All six existing clusters of excellence were extended, and the two new initiatives also received funding commitments. This means that Bonn, with eight clusters, is once again the national leader, as it was in the last seven-year funding period.

 In June, an important step towards system accreditation was taken with the successful on-site inspection. At the 20th anniversary of the university festival at the beginning of July, around 7,000 guests celebrated with 2,000 graduates from 77 nations. In addition, three new members were introduced to the University Council, which has been chaired by Dr Georg Schütte since this year. And at the end of September and beginning of October, the two-day on-site visit by the reviewers in the ‘Universities of Excellence’ funding line once again impressively demonstrated how strong the ‘Bonn Spirit of WE’ is – in the close cooperation between the rectorate, faculties, administration, all status groups and many committed individuals.

 The university's success is also reflected in its figures and awards: record third-party funding, a huge leap forward in the DFG Funding Atlas with the most significant upward movement among the top 40 universities, 54 ongoing ERC grants and top positions in the THE and Shanghai rankings. Outstanding awards such as the Leibniz Prize for Angkana Rüland, the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize for Lena Funcke and the Breakthrough Prize for Dennis Gaitsgory also impressively demonstrated the university's performance.

Outlook – Focus on ‘Emerging Leaders’

Hoch has set an ambitious goal for the coming years: the University of Bonn wants to position itself permanently among the best academic institutions worldwide.

The University of Bonn's strategy for excellence clearly outlines how it intends to catch up with the world's best. Excellent research conditions, a strong transdisciplinary orientation and consistent international networking are some of the key factors. Special emphasis will also be placed on promoting the next generation: an ‘emerging leaders strategy’ aims to provide students, doctoral candidates and young researchers with even better training and development opportunities from an early stage in their careers. Because, as Rector Hoch says, ‘Only those who attract and retain the best minds can hold their own in global competition.’

We are grateful for the tremendous support provided by the state government. We are now eagerly awaiting the experts' decision on whether the University of Bonn will continue to receive funding as a University of Excellence for the next seven years.

Close ties between the city and the university

Mayor Gabi Mayer gave a welcoming speech on behalf of the federal city of Bonn. She emphasised the close ties between the city and the university. She said that the university has always been a reliable partner and, as a leading university of excellence, has given the Bonn region great prestige in the field of science. She wished the approximately 7,000 first-year students starting this winter semester a good start and all those who have recently moved to Bonn a smooth transition. She recommended that they take full advantage of the city's diverse offerings. ‘And perhaps you will feel so at home in Bonn that the city will become more than just a place to study,’ said Mayor Mayer.

The chair of the General Student Committee, Sean Bonkowski, touched on some sensitive issues from the students' perspective, such as the particularly difficult housing situation for students in Bonn. Demand for housing still far exceeds the existing supply. He also sees considerable room for improvement in the BAFöG student loan system. The latest BAFöG amendment was, at best, a ‘mini-reform’. Bonkowski warned that the state's announced budget consolidations should not be at the expense of students. Finally, however, there was also praise from the AStA chairman: the system accreditation, which has now entered its decisive phase, is a great opportunity for a sustainable improvement in teaching at the University of Bonn. The establishment of a comprehensive survey of all students on the topic of mental health was also an important milestone.

 Honours and programme for the evening

In addition to the speeches and the rector's address, the university honoured four outstanding personalities with the University Medal (see separate article). The festive setting was enhanced by the University's International Choir and fanfares from Campus Brass.