Rector Michael Hoch
- The Rector is the head of the University of Bonn. He acts as its representative and ensures that University rules are observed.
- He is the head of the Rectorate and is responsible for the University’s strategic objectives. He also coordinates implementation of these objectives.
- Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch has been the 143rd Rector of the University of Bonn since May 2015.
- He was elected for a further term of office (2021–2025) by the members of the University’s Electoral Assembly in October 2020.
- The Rector is assisted by the Rectorate’s Executive Management, the personal assistants to the Rector, Rector’s Office and Rector’s Press Officer and Deputy Press Officer.
- The Rector is responsible for the area of knowledge transfer.
Dear members of our University,
Dear visitors,
Founded more than 200 years ago, the University of Bonn is located in the German city of the United Nations and second center of the German federal government in a unique region of cutting-edge international research. Chosen as a University of Excellence, it is known worldwide for its top-level networked research and teaching.
Many of our departments are leaders in their areas compared to the international competition. With six Clusters of Excellence (unique feature), two Nobel Prizes in the last 30 years (unique feature) and two Fields Medals (unique feature), we are also one of the top research universities in Germany.
Our excellent researchers in seven faculties and six Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs) are helping to provide answers to the challenges of the future.
I look forward to working with our students, researchers, instructors, employees and partners here and worldwide to continue the ongoing development of our University.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Hoch
Rector of the University of Bonn
Curriculum Vitae
- since 2015 - 143rd Rector of the University of Bonn
- since september 2022 - Chair of the university alliance German U15
- 2023 - President of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
- 2023 - "Rector of the Decade" (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
- 2020, 2021, 2023 - “Rector of the Year” (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
- 2020 - Re-elected as Rector of the University of Bonn
- 2019 - “University Manager of the Year 2019” (CHE and DIE ZEIT)
- 2000–2006 - Co-founder of the Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) and Spokesperson for the LIMES Alliance
- since 1999 - University Professor of Molecular Developmental Biology at the University of Bonn
- 1983–1989 - Studies in Biology in Heidelberg and Paris
As is tradition, the University of Bonn opened its 2024/2025 academic year on October 18, the date of the institution’s founding. The joy at everything that the University of Excellence and its members had achieved was tempered by a contemplative mood due in particular to the many conflicts currently affecting the world—conflicts whose impact can also be felt here in Bonn.
Rector Professor Michael Hoch has now been given the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” of Japan’s Imperial House in recognition of his contribution to academic exchange and Japanese-German understanding. The order, which is one of the highest awarded in Japan for services to civil society, was presented by the country’s Consul-General Setsuko Kawahara on behalf of the Tennō and the Prime Minister of Japan at a ceremony held at her official residence in Düsseldorf.
The University Election Assembly of the University of Bonn has elected five female Vice-Rectors and one male Vice-Rector. This completes the team with which Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch will start his third term of office in May 2025. Vice-Rectors are part-time and form the Rectorate together with the Rector and Provost Holger Gottschalk.
The 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Germany was celebrated in 2023. The signing of the German-Korean treaty of friendship on November 26, 1883 marked the start of a close political, cultural and academic partnership, and the University of Bonn also enjoys extremely strong links with universities and other academic and scientific institutions in South Korea in many areas and disciplines. For instance, the Korean Studies team at the University of Excellence has covered various topics relating to the country’s past and present in its research and teaching for many decades now.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael Hoch
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Jonas Fehres
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Niklas Almasi
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Christopher Prinz
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Heidrun Schneider-Klinkosch
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Svenja Killmer
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Ruzica Sajic
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Marlena Wolter
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Press Service
Please direct any press inquiries to the Press Service.
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Also see
The Provost
Holger Gottschalk has been the head of the University administration since 2017. His goal is to achieve agile university management.
University Council
The University Council advises the Rectorate, supervises the Rectorate’s Executive Management and elects the members of the Rectorate during the University’s Electoral Assembly.
enaCom Transfer Center
The enaCom Transfer Center is the point of contact for all matters relating to knowledge and technology transfer—for everyone interested in working together with us.