The largest lecture hall at OTH Regensburg was transformed into a place of reflection, new beginnings and a shared commitment to democracy, diversity and scientific progress. More than 450 guests from the worlds of politics, science, business and society, as well as numerous staff and students, accepted the invitation to the 2025 Academic Annual Celebration on Friday, 5 December 2025. Upon entering the hall, guests were greeted by an extraordinary stage design: a giant globe flanked by contrasting social slogans on demonstration posters, with a bus stop, a nuclear waste barrel, a Pride flag, an e-bike and a dead tree in between. A symbol of the tensions and divisions of our present, but also of the university's task of creating spaces for exchange.
The programme was hosted by BR and ARD journalist Meike Föckersperger. She welcomed the guests of honour, including Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, representatives of the Ministry of Science, the district, the state parliament, the government of the Upper Palatinate, neighbouring universities and former presidents of OTH Regensburg. The OTH choir accompanied the celebration and provided musical highlights that gave everyone goosebumps from start to finish.
Markus Blume, Bavarian Minister of State for Science and the Arts, conveyed his greetings in a video message. In it, he emphasised that OTH Regensburg is on the road to success, with progress and responsibility going hand in hand. Responses to the transformations brought about by AI, climate change and global shifts must come from universities. To this end, the university set sail early on, even in stormy times.
Annual review by President Prof. Dr. Ralph Schneider with a clear stance
In his annual review, President Prof. Dr. Ralph Schneider picked up where the view of the stage had already begun: with the tensions, fears and polarisation that are affecting our society. ‘Taking responsibility does not mean insisting on your own point of view,’ he emphasised. ‘It means listening, tolerating different perspectives and looking for solutions that bring us back together as a society.’
Schneider took the guests through a year that challenged and shaped the university. He mentioned fierce reactions to social media posts, from the raising of the Pride flag to vegan Leberkässemmel, as examples of the fragmented debate spaces of our time. The president emphasised OTH Regensburg's clear commitment to respect, tolerance and diversity. These values are firmly anchored in the mission statement, the university development plan, and the sustainability and internationalisation strategies.
He highlighted formats such as ‘60 Minutes for Tolerance’, the Philosophical Café, the lecture series on social responsibility and the STADTnah initiative, through which the university creates spaces for dialogue in the heart of the city. The poverty report for the city of Regensburg, which shows that even economically strong cities must not lose sight of vulnerable groups, is one of the socially oriented research and teaching projects.
Schneider summed up for the year 2025: more than 11,100 students, top rankings in StudyCheck and CHE rankings, strong spin-offs such as the multi-award-winning start-up RocketMIND, outstanding transfer achievements, a powerful young scientific community, the right to award doctorates, which will only be granted in 2023, and the first scientists to obtain their doctorates at OTH Regensburg itself.
In the area of study and teaching, he painted a nuanced picture: declining interest in technical degree programmes, but at the same time rising numbers of Master's students, new English-language degree programmes and targeted initiatives for young talent, from research camps for girls to the First Lego League.
From iconic social media videos to dedicated award winners
With humour and heart, Schneider recalled personal highlights such as iconic social media videos, sporting achievements, and outstanding foundation and research awards. President Schneider invited one of the 2025 Dualissimo award winners, Florian Braumandl, onto the stage and asked him how he managed to remain socially engaged during his dual studies. The answer: time management and stress resilience. His friend Omid, who is originally from Afghanistan and joined Florian at school in Year 9, is the reason why he is standing here today. Omid motivated him and he learned a lot from him.
President Schneider went on to report on milestones in the campus expansion, from the groundbreaking ceremony for the Johannes Kepler Building of International Services to the improvement of accessibility and the independent renovation of the roof and façade at the Prüfening location.
A guest who was only present via video that evening received much applause: Professor Harald Lesch, who personally named OTH Regensburg the ‘best university in the world.’ He will accept the president's invitation next year and speak as the keynote speaker at the annual academic celebration on 4 December 2026.
‘Our constitution does not protect us. We must protect it.’
The highlight of the morning was the keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Ursula Münch, Director of the Academy for Political Education in Tutzing. In an impressive, clear and encouraging analysis, she outlined the tensions in our changing world: authoritarian tendencies, polarisation, economic uncertainty, digital disinformation, numerous fears among citizens, not least of the negative consequences of globalisation and migration.
Her central message: ‘The resilience of our democracy exists, but only if the majority wants it and a visibly committed part of society actively protects the democratic constitutional state.’ Münch spoke about experiences of powerlessness, about the temptations of populist simplifications, about the longing for strong leadership. She warned against forms of ‘soft authoritarianism’ that formally allow democratic institutions to exist but undermine their foundations.
At the same time, however, she also offered words of encouragement. Democracies are capable of learning, flexible and resilient when citizens take responsibility, recognise compromises and do not allow themselves to be driven by fearmongers.
Münch particularly emphasised the importance of universities as places of free science and reflection, as safe spaces for debate, and as the educational force behind a generation that will shape the future of the economy, politics and society. ‘Today's students will decide whether our society will be optimistic or despondent tomorrow. That is why universities in particular bear an enormous responsibility, and they are living up to it,’ said Dr Münch.
Foundation Award for Prof. Dr. Ingo Ehrlich
Another festive highlight was the presentation of the award by the Foundation for the Promotion of OTH Regensburg for special achievements in cooperation between science and industry. The 2025 award winner is Prof. Dr. Ingo Ehrlich from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and scientific director of the Technology Campus Neustadt an der Donau.
He emphasised that the success of the laboratory and the Technology Campus depends largely on being a cooperative partner for companies that takes the interests of others seriously.
Students praise appreciative cooperation
The student representatives, Judith Gabriel and Simon Stuber, emphasised that the university is not only a place of learning but also a living space. They thanked the university management for their appreciative cooperation and expressed their delight at the new student loft in Prüfening and the evening canteen. The goals for the coming year are to expand health services, further develop the campus and increase voter turnout within the university.
To conclude, presenter Meike Föckersperger reminded everyone of the ongoing mission: listen. Act together. Put good ideas into practice.
The subsequent reception provided an opportunity for further discussion, networking, laughter and planning. It was clear that this day was not just a celebration of a year, but of a shared journey. The 2025 Academic Anniversary Celebration once again demonstrated what OTH Regensburg is: a driving force for the future, a place of togetherness and a voice for democracy and cohesion, far beyond the campus.
