Ceremonial handover of the presidency at HNU – Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser hands over to Prof. Dr. Julia Kormann after 20 years

In her opening speech, Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser said: "When I look back on my four terms as president of HNU, I am reminded of a few principles that guided me throughout my tenure, such as perseverance and strategic foresight – and the realisation that too much structure inhibits innovation. I am delighted to pass on the baton today, because I know that HNU is in good hands. Prof. Dr Julia Kormann is taking over as president, and with her analytical acumen and genuine enthusiasm, she will make her own mark."

Welcome address by Markus Blume

Markus Blume, Bavarian Minister of State for Science and the Arts, paid tribute to Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser and also awarded her the PRO MERITIS SCIENTIAE ET LITTERARUM distinction for her outstanding services to science and the arts: "Professor Dr Uta M. Feser has shaped the Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences over two decades with strategic clarity, great personal dedication and a clear creative vision. Under her leadership, the HNU has grown into a distinguished centre of science with strong regional roots. With the award of the PRO MERITIS SCIENTIAE ET LITTERARUM, the Free State of Bavaria honours this extraordinary life's work. At the same time, I am delighted that Professor Dr Julia Kormann, an experienced university administrator, is taking over responsibility and will continue the successful development of the university." He then presented Prof. Dr Uta M. Feser with her certificate of dismissal and Prof. Dr Julia Kormann with her appointment as President of HNU. 

Laudatory speech by Dr Beate Merk

The laudatory speech for Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser was given by Dr. Beate Merk, former Minister of State, Honorary Senator and Chair of the HNU University Council, who impressively praised the achievements of the outgoing President: "Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser, the university, which was somewhat colourless at the beginning, has developed into a real model of success. With her extraordinary openness, impressive networking skills and remarkable combination of calmness and willingness to take risks, she has inspired people with her ideas and won over many supporters for her vision. With clear vision and great perseverance, she has step by step transformed her plan to develop HNU into a modern campus university into a viable structure. Her tireless commitment to knowledge transfer and her curiosity about new perspectives and other countries have had a lasting impact on the university. I am now looking forward to welcoming the new president of the university, who, with her extensive network of connections in business, society and the cultural landscape, her open communication and her appreciation for her team and the students, offers the best conditions for keeping HNU successful and fit for the future."

Keynote speech by Prof. Dr Julia Kormann

In her keynote speech, the new president, Prof. Dr Julia Kormann, outlined the strategic direction of her term of office. She emphasised that the major challenges of the future can only be overcome through cooperation between science, business, politics and society – an approach that ideally corresponds to the goals of the Bavarian High-Tech Agenda and the German High-Tech Agenda.

With this in mind, Prof. Dr. Julia Kormann called on the guests present to work with HNU to bring about innovations that will have an impact on the region. Demand-oriented innovations for the regional innovation ecosystem arise, among other things, from project-based teaching, application-oriented research and start-up activities – areas that were developed under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser and already shape the profile of HNU today. "We have to make the necessary adjustments internally – but the feedback from our partners is the best guide to where we should make them," Prof. Dr Julia Kormann emphasised. She will implement her guiding principle of "needs-based innovations for the region" in three areas of action: 

• Participatory strategy process involving all internal university groups and external partners from science, business, politics and society. 
• Digital and sustainable transformation with the removal of internal barriers and the effective and efficient use of AI. 
• "Listening is better than talking" in order to identify needs at an early stage and integrate them into the university's actions.

At the same time, she emphasised the HNU's responsibility to contribute to resilience in society, businesses and local communities – a task she considers increasingly important in light of current global uncertainties. Issues such as health promotion, mental health and self-care skills, which she has already had a significant influence on as Vice-President, are to be further expanded.

"Let us work together to bring about the innovations with impact that our region needs, shape the transformation in a joint strategy process and listen to the needs of business, society and politics," summarised Prof. Dr Julia Kormann.

HNU Bowl discussion panel

The ceremony was rounded off by a panel discussion, the HNU Bowl, in which Eva Treu, Katrin Albsteiger, Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser and Prof. Dr. Julia Kormann spoke about innovation, sustainability and personal career paths. Against the backdrop of the slogans "New Thinking, Neu-Ulm" from HNU and "We Live New" from the city of Neu-Ulm, the participants answered questions relating to both professional and personal topics.  

Cutting of the "HNUta pretzel" and get-together

A symbolic moment followed with the cutting of a large pretzel in the shape of the letters HNUTA: Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser handed the first piece to her successor – a visible sign of the transition.

Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Claudia Kocian-Dirr, two or company provided musical accompaniment. Sascha Vespermann, HNU alumnus, hosted the event.

Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser: Looking back on 20 years

A look back at Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser's term of office shows how strongly she has shaped the university. Since she took office in 2006, HNU has developed from a young university with 1,800 students into a modern, internationally networked and regionally anchored institution with currently 4,400 students. She drove forward the expansion of the range of courses on offer as well as the establishment of central research facilities. International university partnerships and close cooperation with regional partners were systematically strengthened under her leadership. With strategic foresight, creative drive and a clear vision, she shaped the profile of HNU in a sustainable manner and, in 2024, secured independent doctoral rights for HNU.