Bridge between TU Braunschweig and society New University Council formed

The new University Council of Technische Universität Braunschweig held its constituent meeting on 25 October. It brings together seven personalities from science, industry and culture to form a central advisory and supervisory body for the university. At the constituent meeting, the Council elected Professor Lothar Hagebölling as its Chair and Dr. Gabriele Heinen-Kljajić as its Vice-Chair.

Dr. Gabriele Heinen-Kljajić, former Minister for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony, Prof. Christian Thomsen, Institute of Solid State Physics at Technische Universität Berlin, Prof. Dorothea Wagner, Institute of Theoretical Informatics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Prof. Simone Kauffeld, Institute of Psychology at Technische Universität Braunschweig, are the four new members of the new University Council. The term of office of the members of the University Council is 5 years and ends in 2028.

The new University Council: (from left) Prof. Christian Thomsen, Dr. Gabriele Heinen-Kljajić, Dr. Stephan Venzke representing Prof. Tina Cornelius-Krügel, Prof. Lothar Hagebölling, Dr. Oliver Blume, Prof. Dorothea Wagner, Prof. Simone Kauffeld. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig

Three other members will remain on the University Council for the next five years: Prof. Lothar Hagebölling, former State Secretary, (4th term), Dr. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG (2nd term) and Prof. Tina Cornelius-Krügel, who, as Head of Department in the Ministry of Science and Culture, represents the Ministry in the University Council.

TU President Angela Ittel is looking forward to a productive cooperation with the new University Council and its enriching expertise: “In view of the many social challenges and profound global political changes, it is of great importance to us that the development of our university is accompanied by strong expertise. The University Council is an important advisory body in this respect. This exchange has enormous potential in terms of our development goals. I have greatly appreciated working with individual members of the University Council over the years in their respective roles, and I now welcome the new members in anticipation of a productive collaboration within this body.

The seven members of the University Council, the Executive Board and the advisory TU members. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig

Over the next five years, TU Braunschweig will face important issues such as the Higher Education Development 2030 initiative, measures to attract students, dealing with the energy crisis, digitalisation of administrative services, and the process of becoming a foundation university. The University Council will use its expertise to advise TU Braunschweig on these challenges and further strategic developments.

About the University Council

As a body, the University Council advises the Executive Board and the Senate of TU Braunschweig and gives its opinion on development and business plans, on the establishment of or participation in companies and on the draft of the target agreements with the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture. The University Council confirms the Senate’s proposal for the appointment or dismissal of members of the Executive Board. In addition, the University Council has the task of reaching agreement on proposals for the appointment of professors. The University Council is also entitled to request information from the Executive Board and the Senate on all matters concerning the university. According to section 52 of the University Act, the members of the Executive Board, the Equal Opportunities Officer, a representative of the student body and a member of the staff representatives generally attend the meetings of the University Council in an advisory capacity. The tasks of the University Council are regulated in § 52 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act.