Message at the end of the year from Rector Prof Dr Kerstin Krieglstein
Freiburg, 18.12.2024
Prof Dr Kerstin Krieglstein addresses the university members with a review of 2024 and an outlook for the new year.
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein. Photo: Jürgen Gocke / Universität Freiburg
Dear members of the University of Freiburg,
2024 will come to an end in just a few days. It was a challenging year for the University of Freiburg, and certainly for you as well, but it was a year in which we achieved a lot together in spite of everything. Together we are nearly 33,000 strong. All of you help make this University what it is: one of the most successful universities in Germany. This is shown not only by the numerous rankings in which we enjoyed great success again this year but also by many individual achievements in research, in teaching, in studies, and in exchange with society. I would like to thank you all for your great dedication. Our collective achievement makes me proud.
I was also impressed by the achievement of everyone who contributed to the interim success of our Clusters of Excellence and cluster initiatives. The University community wishes the participating researchers all the best for the ongoing reviews. There is no doubt in my mind that they will prevail with their scholarly excellence in 2025, thus preparing the ground for us to achieve University of Excellence status.
Political and social issues have kept us very busy this year, and they also have an impact on daily life at the University. Our goal was and remains to preserve and to strengthen the University of Freiburg as a place of democratic values, humanity, and academic freedom. I would like to thank all of you who have contributed to a good and constructive atmosphere. Let us carry these values with us into the new year.
Despite persistent political and social challenges, I look to the new year with confidence and optimism. The first highlight will be our University Ball on 25 January, at which I hope to get into a conversation with many of you.
I wish you a relaxing winter break in which you find time to recharge your batteries and good luck in the new year.
Kind regards,
Kerstin Krieglstein