In 2011, the Leibniz University Hannover Senate established a working group tasked with conducting an in-depth review and appraisal of the Nazi period at the former Technische Hochschule Hannover. It focused on the awarding and withdrawal of academic titles during the period from 1933 to 1945 as well as the restrictions imposed on ideological grounds – that is, the restrictions on academic positions, degrees and honours on the basis of political, “race-based” or other discrimination stemming from Nazi ideology. In addition, the working group comprehensively investigated and reviewed the corresponding preferential treatment granted during this period.
Through this work, Leibniz University Hannover has committed to investigating and appraising the darkest chapter of its history during the years of the Nazi dictatorship as comprehensively as possible, in keeping with the moral and ethical goals of its mission statement and its position in a democratic state based on the constitutional rule of law – and with deep regret that any rehabilitative measures now come too late for those directly impacted, but in the hope that their lasting personal reputation in the eyes of the university community and for posterity more generally can be duly restored.
Leibniz University Hannover has documented the role of its predecessor institution during the Nazi period in a comprehensive publication:
Publication
Unjust actions during the Nazi period at Technische Hochschule Hannover.
Restrictions and Preferential Treatment, 1933–1945.
Published by the Presidential Board of Leibniz University Hannover
Michael Imhof Verlag, Petersberg 2016
ISBN 978-3-7319-0429-8
The publication is available online in the repository of the TIB – Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology and University Library: