15.08.2026

Info Letter December 2023

Dear Readers:

At our Annual Academic Celebration, we once again awarded prizes for the best students of the year and for outstanding dissertations in the 17 departments – congratulations to all the winners! Congratulations also to the TU Dortmund Young Academy Research Award and to the eight TU members who received the teaching award. The achievements of all these laureates show the importance of outstanding teaching and research at our university.

Our keynote speaker Prof. Christian von Coelln explained which fundamental freedoms form the foundation for this. The Cologne lawyer pointed out that academic freedom means using scientific methodology to address a question with an open mind. Research may be free of purpose and may also challenge prevailing views, as knowledge is constantly evolving. Disagreements must be tolerated in the interpretation. Freedom of opinion means that there is a requirement to dissent, not a ban on speech. Universities are therefore also places for lively debates in our democracy. His very clear statements inspired conversations at the subsequent reception in the Mensa.

As the year draws to a close, I would like to wish you a happy holiday season and all the best for the new year. You can read about the news from the last month in this info letter.

Best regards
Manfred Bayer
President of TU Dortmund University

News from TU Dortmund University

The Audimax is full of people at TU Dortmund University's annual academic celebration.

Academic Anniversary Celebration Focuses on Peace and Freedom

Around 700 guests attended the festive event in the Audimax where numerous prizes were awarded.

Black and white portrait of an older man in a suit smiling into the camera.

Mourning the Loss of Former President Prof. Paul Velsinger

Paul Velsinger passed away on 1 December at the age of 84. He served as TU President from 1978 to 1990.

A staircase and a walkway on campus where students travel in both directions.

TU Dortmund University Registers Slight Increase in Number of New Students

5,108 people started their studies in the winter semester. The university now has a total of 30,300 students.

Illustration with cogwheels of different sizes containing smaller icons on the topic of research.

Launch of the New Research Strategy

The Rectorate presented the nine goals to staff and students and kicked off the university-wide participatory process.

A gentleman with glasses and a suit stands at a lectern labeled "TU Dortmund".

TU Dortmund University Awards Honorary Doctorate to Professor Ed Folsom

The Walt Whitman expert from the University of Iowa received the award for his outstanding scientific commitment.

Photomontage from photos of the buildings of Uni Duisburg-Essen, Ruhr-Uni Bochum and TU Dortmund.

MERCUR Funds Two New Cooperative Research Projects

TU scientists receive half a million euros for their research on nucleic acids and the labor market within the UA Ruhr.

One of the Best Trainees Nationwide

Jana Witt completed her training as a media designer with the grade “very good” and was honored for this in Berlin.

Opening Hours During The Christmas Break

After the company holidays, some libraries, cafeterias and sports facilities reopen before the start of the lecture period.

All news

Editorial office: Lisa Burgardt

Phone: ++49 (0) 231 - 755 6456
E-mail: lisa.burgardt@tu-dortmund.de

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