Bavaria’s Minister of State for European Affairs and International Relations, Eric Beißwenger, presented Prof. Dr Oliver Steffens, Vice-President for Research and International Affairs at OTH Regensburg, on Tuesday, 8 September, in Munich, the ‘Medal for Special Services to the Free State of Bavaria in Europe and the World’, known as the Europe Medal.
The award honours individuals who promote the European ideal and contribute to Bavaria’s international standing. The honour bestowed upon Vice-President Prof. Dr Steffens also highlights a development that has had a decisive influence on OTH Regensburg in recent years: the consistent expansion of its international network. Today, the university collaborates with more than 230 partner universities worldwide, has around 1,560 international students and facilitates hundreds of study abroad placements for its students every year.
European university alliance ARTEMIS established
In his laudatory speech, Minister of State Eric Beißwenger paid particular tribute to Steffens’ contribution to European university cooperation. He highlighted Steffens’ commitment to establishing the European University Alliance ARTEMIS, which brings together eight universities from eight countries, as well as his role in international research, innovation and knowledge transfer projects. Steffens helps ensure that a centre of academic excellence outside the major cities can operate visibly and successfully within the European Research Area.
“Europe thrives on the commitment of the people who shape it. It is precisely these people whom we have had the honour of honouring today with the Europe Medal for outstanding services to the Free State of Bavaria in Europe and the world. They build bridges, foster encounters and take on responsibility – across borders,” said Minister of State Eric Beißwenger.
For Prof. Dr Oliver Steffens, the award is above all recognition of a collective achievement: “I feel extremely honoured and am delighted to receive this award. My special thanks go to everyone who has helped shape this journey and continues to do so – in particular the dedicated colleagues and students at OTH Regensburg and our friends at the ARTEMIS partner universities. I accept this honour with great gratitude and in all humility.”
Networking with international partner universities driven forward
Since taking up his post as Vice-President, Prof. Dr Oliver Steffens has been consistently driving forward the university’s international orientation. In addition to establishing the ARTEMIS Alliance, he has further developed numerous university partnerships, strengthened participation in European innovation and research projects, and raised the profile of OTH Regensburg in international networks such as the Danube Rectors’ Conference. His commitment combines regional roots with international openness – an approach that was also expressly recognised by the jury of the European Medal.
Prof. Dr Ralph Schneider, President of OTH Regensburg, offered his warm congratulations on the award: “Prof. Dr Oliver Steffens has made a significant contribution to positioning OTH Regensburg as an internationally networked university within the European Research Area. Our successful university partnerships, our participation in European projects and, not least, the ARTEMIS university alliance all bear his hallmark. The awarding of the European Medal is therefore a well-deserved recognition of his exceptional commitment.”
Background: The Free State of Bavaria’s Europe Medal
Since 1990, the Free State of Bavaria has awarded the ‘Medal for Special Services to the Free State of Bavaria in Europe and the World’ annually. The award honours individuals from the fields of politics, science, education, culture, journalism and business who have rendered outstanding service to Bavaria’s international reputation or have made a lasting contribution to promoting the European ideal.
