LMU bids farewell to long-serving president at 553rd anniversary celebration

“What an era: Bernd Huber was president of the scientific flagship LMU Munich for 23 years. During this period, Professor Huber shaped science like few others.” These were the words of Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder in praise of the departing president.

In his address, Söder described the calm, depth, and clarity with which Huber made LMU a University of Excellence and shaped Bavaria as a hub of scientific enterprise. “Under his stewardship, LMU became a German ‘Harvard’: bristling with quality, highly innovative, and an elite training center for top international researchers. During his term, there were three Nobel Prizes for Physics alone!” Söder went on to highlight Bavaria’s role as a leading player in research and science: “Through our Hightech Agenda, we’re investing over six billion euros. Our sincerest thanks to Bernd Huber and all the very best to his successor Matthias Tschöp! PS: As recognition for his accomplishments, Professor Huber will be receiving the Maximilian Order. This is our ‘Bavarian Nobel Prize’ and a very exclusive club for personalities from science and the arts.”

Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts, Markus Blume, Chair of the University Council, Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, and Chair of the Board of University Representatives at LMU, Professor Armin Nassehi, also praised Huber’s dedication to LMU in their addresses.

Minister Blume emphasized: “What a special dies academicus: LMU is 553 years old today and we’re saying goodbye to a president who has himself made history – as the longest-serving university president in Germany and the successful architect of our University of Excellence status.”

Under Bernd Huber, LMU became a University of Excellence as the largest university in Bavaria, obtained top spots in international rankings, and pursued a strategy of internationalization, continued Blume. “Professor Huber was not only the president and the architect of success, but also a builder: By expanding the sites in Grosshadern, Martinsried, Oberschleissheim, and along Königinstrasse, he gave LMU the buildings it needs to be fit for the future and bolstered Munich as a location of scientific endeavor. We express our sincerest gratitude for an era full of vision and passion. May God reward Bernd Huber for everything he has done for LMU and Bavaria during his 23 years in office! The groundwork he has laid for the future could not be better: As of October 2025, Prof. Matthias Tschöp will take over the rudder of his alma mater. I’m convinced that under his captaincy, our flagship LMU will remain on the course of excellence!”

 Successful tenure

Bernd Huber’s tenure was marked by a highly successful strategic orientation toward top-level research. This is reflected in numerous high-profile building projects, including six of the so-called federal-state research buildings, which have created outstanding conditions for researchers. Under Huber’s leadership, LMU was already successful in the first round of the Excellence Initiative in 2006, and has been able to build on this position in all subsequent rounds of the competition. At the same time, it has consolidated its position in global rankings and significantly enhanced its international reputation through collaborations with leading universities worldwide.

The courses on offer at LMU have also been continuously modernized and internationalized, with the creation of new interdisciplinary courses, the introduction of English-language master’s programs, and the expansion of digital learning formats, to name just a few. Such initiatives have made the university even more attractive to students at home and abroad. Establishing close connections between research and teaching was especially important to Huber in order to foster the scientific curiosity of students from an early stage and offer them excellent study conditions.

Festrede zu „Science and Society“

The official lecture for the anniversary celebration was held by physics professor Sylvie Retailleau, former French Minister of Higher Education and Research. Retailleau discussed the key role of science for society, democracy, and international understanding while emphasizing that scientific cooperation also functions as a powerful form of diplomacy. Science, she explained, allows critical access to reality, which is particularly useful in times of increasing disinformation in helping to distinguish between facts and fake news and counteracting ideological simplification. Above all, the deep interconnections between science and society are an important instrument for strengthening acceptance for science – and thus ultimately for strengthening democracy. For Retailleau, it is clear: Science is not just knowledge production, but a public good – and a foundation of democratic culture.

Professor Bernd Huber, who always opened the anniversary celebration during his time in office, gave the closing address this time. He thanked the speakers and especially the Minister-President for his announcement of the awarding of the Maximilian Order. “It’s the highest award of the Free State of Bavaria, the gold standard as it were. This makes me grateful and proud,” said a delighted Huber. He also thanked all scientists and staff for their commitment during his 23-year tenure. This was rewarded once again in the current round of the Excellence Initiative with a total of seven successful cluster applications, which Huber described as “a beautiful farewell gift.”