The University and University Society (UGO) celebrated their New Year's reception with a ballet performance and an award ceremony. Around 550 guests, including Lower Saxony's Science Minister Falko Mohrs, enjoyed a stimulating evening.
"The model degree programme in human medicine, which is unique in Europe, the excellent research focus on hearing research, the extraordinary success in promoting start-ups and the fruitful and intensive cooperation with the Jade University of Applied Sciences are exemplary: the University of Oldenburg is well positioned - strong in research, teaching and transfer and with strong roots in the region." With these words, Lower Saxony's Minister for Science and Culture, Falko Mohrs, welcomed around 550 guests to the New Year's reception organised by the University and University Society Oldenburg e.V. (UGO). The New Year's reception has brought the university and the region together at the Oldenburg State Theatre every year since 1995.
In his address, University President Prof Dr Ralph Bruder looked back on a year of particular challenges for the university: "Once again, we had to prove how flexibly we can react to rapidly changing conditions." Bruder cited the pandemic and the energy crisis with their complex effects on university operations as examples. "I am proud of our sustainable culture of cooperation, which makes many things possible that initially seem almost insurmountable. We can continue to build on this in the future." Addressing the 56 professors who have been newly appointed to the university since the last New Year's Reception in 2020, he emphasised: "You enrich our university and open up new perspectives. We are delighted to have you on board."
University medal awarded
In this festive setting and in front of a sold-out audience, University President Bruder then honoured the former Chair of the University Council, Jörg Waskönig, with the University Medal. "Jörg Waskönig has rendered outstanding services to the University of Oldenburg. His commitment has provided important impetus and set the course for the development of the university, in particular University Medicine Oldenburg," emphasised Bruder.
Jörg Waskönig has chaired the University Council, the university's central advisory and supervisory body, for two terms of office since June 2013. He is also involved as a board member and chairman of the board of trustees of the "Dr h. c. Peter and Doris Waskönig Foundation", which was founded by his father in 1996. As Chair of the Oldenburg Employers' Association, Jörg Waskönig has also worked for many years as a driver of better networking between science and business in the region, emphasised Bruder.
The cultural highlight of the evening at the State Theatre was the ballet performance "Energetic Emotions", consisting of the two choreographic premieres "Expressive Slide" choreographed by Regina van Berkel and "Five Tangos" by Antoine Jully. The New Year's reception ended with the traditional "chat afterwards".
As in previous years, guests supported the university's "Deutschlandstipendium" scholarship programme, which supports particularly talented and committed students, by purchasing their tickets.
