University President Ranking: #3  [11.06.21]

For the 6th time in a row, academics have voted Prof. Dr. Stephan Dabbert among the top 3 most popular university presidents in Germany. With a school grade of 1.57, he is just behind the runner-up, Prof. Dr. Thomas Puhl from the University of Mannheim (school grade 1.53). The title of "President of the Year" goes to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch from the University of Bonn (grade 1.51).

To award the title "President of the Year," the German Association of University Porfessors and Lecturers (DHV) asks its members to rate the performance of their respective university heads with grades. The grade 1 stands for "ideal choice," the grade 6 for "worst imaginable choice." Open comments are also possible.

84 percent of participants gave the Hohenheim President a grade of 1 or 2. And the majority of comments were positive, e.g.: "Is very committed to the interests of the university. Very transparent communication, even of difficult topics."

In the election for "Science Minister of the Year 2021," Theresia Bauer, Minister of Science in Baden-Württemberg, landed in third place with a rating of 2.81. The winner is Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann, Minister of Economics, Science and Digitalization of the state of Saxony-Anhalt (2.26), followed by last year's winner Katharina Fegebank, Hamburg Senator for Science, Research and Equality, in second place (2.72).

 

Crises can only be overcome with joint effort

"I am very pleased about the renewed award by our scientists. I warmly congratulate Prof. Dr. Michael Hoch and Prof. Dr. Thomas Puhl on their success in the DHV ranking," stated Prof. Dr. Dabbert. Especially in difficult times, he said, it shows how cohesive the university is. "Situations like the Covid-19 pandemic can only be overcome by all of us working together. I am very grateful for this support."

Over the past year, the President continued, Hohenheim researchers have demonstrated their creativity and flexibility. "And despite the more difficult circumstances, they have not lost sight of other global challenges. After all, topics such as climate protection, preserving biodiversity, and securing the world's food supply are still relevant," emphasized Prof. Dr. Dabbert, "and that applies not least to our leading topic: the bioeconomy."

 

BACKGROUND: "President of the Year" award

With the "President of the Year" award, the DHV recognizes exemplary leadership by the honoree. The DHV is the professional association of scientists in Germany. The scientific management and implementation of the ranking, which this year covered 56 universities, is in the hands of the Center for Evaluation and Methods at the University of Bonn.

Voting is open to association members, who are asked in personal letters to evaluate the person holding the office at their own university. 4,448 scientists participated in the current voting. Only rectors or presidents who had been in office for at least 100 days and received at least 30 ratings when voting began were ranked.

The "President/Rector of the Year" award was presented at the Gala of German Science in Berlin on May 31, 2021. The DHV published the detailed results in the June issue of the journal "Forschung & Lehre".

 

The award winners since the introduction of the "President of the Year" at a glance

2021 Prof. Dr. Michael Hoch, University of Bonn

2020 Prof. Dr. Michael Hoch, University of Bonn

2019 Prof. Dr. Lambert Koch, University of Wuppertal

2018 Prof. Dr. Johannes Wessels, University of Münster

2017 Prof. Dr. Lambert Koch, University of Wuppertal

2016 Prof. Dr. Stephan Dabbert, University of Hohenheim

2015 Prof. Dr. Helmut J. Schmidt, TU Kaiserslautern

2014 Prof. Dr. Lambert Koch, University of Wuppertal

2013 Prof. Dr. Jan-Hendrik Olbertz, Humboldt University Berlin (President)

2012 Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Herrmann, TU Munich (President)

2011 Prof. Dr. Lambert Koch, University of Wuppertal

2010 Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schareck, University of Rostock

2009 Prof. Dr. Elmar Weiler, Ruhr University Bochum

 

Text: Elsner / Translation: Neudorfer