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President Finkeldey at inauguration: University of Kassel should "become more visible".
"The University of Kassel has a unique range of subjects, is well anchored in the region and has for many years focused on socially relevant issues in teaching and research, for example on the sustainability of our actions," said Finkeldey. "In the coming years, it will be a matter of maintaining this while continuing to improve teaching for a large number of students. At the same time, it will define my work that the University of Kassel should become more visible nationally and internationally in research." Here, he said, the university has great potential that is still being underutilized.
Finkeldey also still sees potential in internationalization: "This is a task that encompasses not only students, but the entire university." For example, he said, the University of Kassel wants to do more to attract scientists from abroad in the future.
The new president went on to say, "In addition to the central tasks in research and teaching, we in the presidium will also set priorities in the areas of promoting young academics, equality and diversity. We want to give young scientists optimal conditions for successful work in science during their doctorate and also afterwards, and we will continue to expand equality as an important cross-cutting issue in all areas of the university."
The new presidium will continue to coordinate closely with all important groups, committees and stakeholders in and around the university, Finkeldey said. "Only together can we meet the challenges ahead. A high level of motivation among all members of the university is a prerequisite for our ambitious plans in teaching and research. Personnel and organizational development therefore represent important focal points for our work. This also includes, for example, improving cooperation between departments and the central administration."
Finkeldey (53) has already been in office since October 1. In front of around 300 guests, he was officially inaugurated into office today with a ceremony at the Campus Center of the University of Kassel. He had been elected president of the University of Kassel in January of this year. The forestry scientist was previously vice president of the Georg-August University of Göttingen.
The ceremonial address was given by Prof. Dr. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, co-chairman of the Club of Rome and president of the then Gesamthochschule Kassel from 1975 to 1980. In his speech, he emphasized the innovative and interdisciplinary approach often taken in research projects at the University of Kassel. As a result, he said, it is in a better position than other universities to lay the intellectual foundation for the reorientation of civilizations in the face of impending environmental catastrophes.
Picture of Professor Dr. Reiner Finkeldey (photo: Sonja Rode/Uni Kassel) under http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2015/_Q9A8492.jpg
More pictures from the day are available upon request from the University Press Office or at
www.uni-kassel.de
Further information:
Contact:
Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de