President of Chemnitz University of Technology Re-elected

The members of the Extended Senate of Chemnitz University of Technology again placed their trust in Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier

The incumbent president of Chemnitz University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, was confirmed in office on January 24, 2023, by the Extended Senate of the university with an absolute majority of votes. He successfully beat his two competitors, Prof. Dr. Lothar Kroll from Chemnitz University of Technology and Prof. Dr. Niels Modler from TU Dresden. All three candidates had introduced themselves in the morning at a public university election hearing and presented their views, goals, and strategies for the upcoming term.

Strohmeier emphasized that he wants to maintain and further shape the successful course of Chemnitz University of Technology. "By 2028, I would like to further develop Chemnitz University of Technology into a university with a clear technical and cosmopolitan profile as well as strong appeal," said Strohmeier. Within the framework of the excellence strategy of the federal and state governments, he is striving for a successful application of Chemnitz University of Technology with at least one cluster. In addition, he wants to successfully position Chemnitz University of Technology through excellent research that addresses the megatrends of today, especially in the area of the university's core competencies.

The number of students at the university is to be increased by offering highly attractive, accredited degree programs and study conditions that will be further developed as part of student success management. "An important goal for the next five years is to have 10,000 or more students in Chemnitz, at least half of them in STEM degree programs," said Strohmeier. Young scientists will continue to receive consistent support, and this includes, in particular, plannable and attractive career paths.

In addition, Strohmeier wants to further promote international networking. This is to be achieved, among other things, through a successful application as a "European University" in the EU program "Partnerships for Excellence" together with partner universities in Europe. In addition, Strohmeier would like to expand transnational and interregional networks with Poland and the Czech Republic, among others, and intensify relations with the universities of Cambridge and Oxford.

Important concerns for him are also the further strengthening of the position of Chemnitz University of Technology in the Free State of Saxony as well as the increase of the formative influence of the university on the European Capital of Culture 2025 and on the science and business location of Chemnitz, for example through the establishment and expansion of at least four branch offices of the university, through regular business forums as well as through the continuation of the start-up network SAXEED and the start-up laboratory "TUClab". Furthermore, the president would like to advance digitization at the university and thus also promote more efficient processes.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks for the trust placed in me and I am looking forward enormously to further cooperation," said Professor Strohmeier after his election. The Deputy Chairman of the University Council of Chemnitz University of Technology, Dr. Michael Kreuzkamp, the Chief Electoral Officer and Acting Chancellor of Chemnitz University of Technology, Thomas Lang, and the Speaker of the Extended Senate of Chemnitz University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Thomas Milani, were among the first congratulators.

Strohmeier's second five-year term as President of Chemnitz University of Technology begins on the day of his appointment by the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism.

About the person: Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier

Gerd Strohmeier was born in Simbach am Inn on April 22, 1975. After training as an industrial clerk and completing an editorial traineeship, he studied political science, psychology and sociology at the University of Passau. This was followed by a doctorate and habilitation at the University of Passau. Strohmeier worked as a research assistant and private lecturer at the University of Passau and as a lecturer at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich and the University of Salzburg. He completed several research and teaching stays at the Universities of Cambridge, Durham, Wroclaw, and Cluj-Napoca. In February 2009, he was appointed to the Professorship of Governmental Systems in Europe in Comparison at the Faculty of Humanities of Chemnitz University of Technology, which he had already represented since 2008. From 2012 to 2015, he was Head of the Institute of Political Science. He has been President of Chemnitz University of Technology since 2016.

Prior to taking office, Strohmeier served as an expert for the German Bundestag and the Saxon State Parliament, and as an international advisor to the parliaments of Austria and Myanmar. As a contract researcher/policy advisor, he worked, for example, for the German Federal Government, the Saxon State Government, and political associations. He has received several scholarships, research grants, and awards.

(Author: Mario Steinebach / Translation: Brent Benofsky)

Matthias Fejes
25.01.2023

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