Election of Vice-Presidents at TU Braunschweig The university is committed to both innovation and continuity

Some decisions go beyond personnel matters. They reveal a university’s priorities. With two new members of the Executive Board and a new department, TU Braunschweig is strengthening precisely those areas that are now of particular importance: cutting-edge research with high societal and global relevance, as well as future-proof teaching.

On 22 April 2026, the Senate of TU Braunschweig confirmed President Angela Ittel’s nomination for the part-time Vice-Presidents for the term of office from May 2026 to April 2028.

The university is combining continuity and renewal by retaining proven experience whilst restructuring the Executive Board in areas where universities face particular challenges today. With two new vice-presidents, two confirmed incumbents and a newly created portfolio, the university is sending a clear signal that strong, internationally visible research and innovative teaching are at the heart of its strategic development.

“In times of crisis, demographic change and artificial intelligence, universities must reposition themselves in research and teaching. The major challenges of our time demand strong, internationally oriented research and teaching that trains young people to become changemakers and equips them for an uncertain future. This requires trust, clarity and a Presidium that focuses precisely on these tasks.” – President, Angela Ittel

Markus Henke, Professor of Electrical Drives, will in future take charge of the Research portfolio as well as the coordination of cross-cutting tasks in the International division. The newly established Teaching Innovation portfolio will be headed by Stefanie Hartz, Professor of Empirical Continuing Education Research. Knut Baumann, Professor of Medical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, has been confirmed for a further term of office and will continue to be responsible for the Student Affairs portfolio. Arno Kwade, Professor of Mechanical Process Engineering and Particle Technology, will also continue his work on the Executive Board and further expand the Transfer and Innovation portfolios during the coming term. The Executive Board of TU Braunschweig will therefore be composed as follows in future:

The Executive Board of TU Braunschweig

• President: Prof. Dr Angela Ittel
• Full-time Vice-President for Human Resources, Finance and University Construction: Dietmar Smyrek
• Full-time Vice-President for Digitalisation and Sustainability: Prof. Dr-Ing Manfred Krafczyk
• Vice-President for Research and International Affairs: Prof. Dr-Ing Markus Henke
• Vice-President for Student Affairs: Prof. Dr Knut Baumann
• Vice-President for Teaching Innovation: Prof. Dr Stefanie Hartz
• Vice-President for Transfer and Innovation: Prof. Dr-Ing Arno Kwade

Research and International Affairs

In the “Research and International Affairs” department, TU Braunschweig is strengthening a key connection: Today, research reaches its full potential when it is connected internationally through collaborations, networks and global partnerships. The new structure will help align the research profile and international orientation more closely, make better use of synergies, and position TU Braunschweig more visibly within the global scientific landscape.

Markus Henke: Strengthening Research and International Affairs with Impact

Professor Markus Henke, a scientist with compelling leadership skills and technological expertise, has been elected to the Executive Board. He bridges the gap between basic and application-oriented research. He has experience in the automotive industry, is a professor of electric drive systems, and is the head of the Institute of Electrical Machines, Drives and Railways. He represents a field that is as relevant to the Braunschweig region as it is important for international innovation and research networks.

“The challenges of our time demand research that taps into new connections through international networking. My aim is, in particular, to further expand transdisciplinary research as a fundamental strength of TU and, in cooperation with our non-university research partners, to create an attractive environment for visible and effective research in a networked world.” – Professor Markus Henke

A new department: Teaching Innovation

By establishing the new “Teaching Innovation” department, TU Braunschweig is strengthening an area that is becoming increasingly important for the future viability of universities. Innovative teaching programmes are key to attracting students. For TU Braunschweig, this means that the attractiveness, timeliness and compelling nature of degree programmes continues to become more important. This is a significant development, particularly at a time when the role of higher education in society is being re-evaluated and universities are competing fiercely for students.

Stefanie Hartz: Teaching for the Future

Professor Stefanie Hartz is a researcher who brings particular expertise to this field. She is the scientific director of the Centre of Excellence for University Didactics in Niedersachsen, conducting research on teaching and learning, the development of teaching staff competencies, continuing education, and higher education research. She thus embodies teaching that combines academic rigour with good learning conditions.

“For me, teaching innovation means thinking ahead to combine academic quality with good learning conditions. I want to help ensure that TU Braunschweig creates spaces where lecturers can creatively develop their teaching and where students experience teaching that is challenging, relevant, participatory, and equally application- and theory-oriented.” – Professor Stefanie Hartz

University Council welcomes new Executive Board

The University Council welcomes the new composition of the Executive Board. Long-standing Chair Professor Lothar Hagebölling commented: “In these times, it is important that we reflect on our strengths whilst also having the courage to provide innovative responses to new challenges. The University Council looks forward to a constructive, forward-looking and trusting collaboration.”

Appreciation for Professor Hecker and Professor Koch

The Senate and the Executive Board thanked the outgoing members of the Executive Board for their many years of service. Professor Peter Hecker served as Vice-President for Research for around eight years and was also responsible for the early career stages of TU researchers for six years. During his time in office, he played a pivotal role in the strategic development of research structures and in securing external funding. He chaired the Strategy Commission and the Ethics Commission, among other things.

As Vice-President for Teacher Training, Professor Katja Koch demonstrated a long-term commitment to raising the profile of teacher training and developing it in the context of current societal challenges. From October 2020 to June 2021, she also took on interim responsibility for the university as President of TU Braunschweig. The Senate expressed its sincere thanks to her for her exceptional commitment and prudent leadership during a challenging transitional period