Foundation university, strategy process and excellence strategy – during the Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) New Year’s reception on Thursday, 9 January 2025, university president Prof. Dr. Volker Epping provided insights on topics of particular importance to the university. The New Year’s reception is a networking event that aims to intensify exchange between academia, the business sector and politics; roughly 500 guests attended the event in the Lichthof, the atrium of LUH’s main university building.
At the beginning of his speech, Professor Epping delineated the university’s role within the global context: “Some people are calling for universities to increasingly position themselves politically. But what we have to remember is this: our responsibility is to promote science and academia. Our mission, enshrined in law, is to be a place where teaching, research and discourse can take place freely – independently, objectively and based on evidence.” Yet this in no way means that LUH closes itself off to the challenges of the world, he said. On the contrary: “We encourage and expect scientists and academics to address the urgent questions of our time. They analyse causes, develop innovative approaches and thereby contribute to solving global problems – all with the requisite scientific excellence.”
Foundation university and strategy process
Epping then looked back at 2024, which began with a change for LUH: the university is no longer directly sponsored by the state, but is instead sponsored by the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover Public Law Foundation, a foundation under public law. “This step has not only changed the framework and conditions for our work but has also opened up entirely new possibilities. We now have more autonomy,” said Epping. The foundation model has put LUH in a position to pursue its goals more clearly and decisively, he said.
The president then provided an outline of the strategy process going forward in this context. “Our strategic planning is our compass for the future. If we implement our processes consistently and use our resources in a targeted way, in 2031 – 200 years after the university was founded – we should be able to state with conviction that Leibniz University Hannover is among Germany’s top universities, is a globally networked player in science and education, and is a key force for societal and technological transformation which builds bridges between the scientific community, business and society.”
Excellence Strategy
In looking back at 2024, Epping’s summary focused especially on the outstanding research achievements, as evidenced by the strong increase over recent years in the acquisition of ERC grants, a European funding source for excellent researchers at all career levels. Also impressive is the clear increase in third-party funding. “Another key component of our strategic development is our participation in the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments. With the successful Clusters of Excellence Phoenix D, Quantum Frontiers and Hearing4All, we have sustainably strengthened our competitiveness in the international realm,” said Epping.
The proposals for the extension of these clusters were submitted in August 2024. Two review processes have already taken place, and the third will follow this month. The funding decision on 22 May 2025 will determine the university’s future direction: if at least two clusters are extended, it will be able to compete again for University of Excellence status. Intensive preparations for this possibility have already been underway for months. “This challenge will shape the coming two years for our university, while simultaneously giving us the chance to further strengthen and expand our scientific excellence,” said Epping.
Safeguarding democracy
In closing, the president again highlighted how LUH is positioning itself in the current societal context: “The central issue of our time is the safeguarding of democracy, the safeguarding of our liberal democratic order and the safeguarding of our democratic ideals and values.” The significant rise of nationalism is putting democracy and the rule of law under strain, he said. With regard to Leibniz University Hannover, Epping emphasised the following: “We stand firmly on the foundation of our liberal democratic order. We will resolutely oppose any attempts, no matter how minor, to undermine it.”
Read the complete New Year’s speech
Welcoming remarks for newly appointed professors
Following his speech, the president welcomed and introduced the 16 new professors appointed to LUH in 2024. He invited the guests to get to know their new colleagues over the course of the evening, and beyond the New Year’s reception, and to explore possibilities for new collaborations. An online gallery of the newly appointed professors with photos and brief biographies is available here: http://go.lu-h.de/neuberufenengalerie
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