Lower Saxony's Science Minister Dr Gabriele Heinen-Kljajić has approved the University of Oldenburg's proposal: Chemist Prof. Dr Katharina Al-Shamery will be appointed to "perform the duties of the President" from 1 April.
This is stated in the decree, which arrived at the university today. The temporary appointment to the office comes as University President Prof. Dr Babette Simon will take over as Chairman of the Board of Mainz University Medicine on 1 April.
Al-Shamery, Vice President for Research at the University of Oldenburg since 2010, will lead the university together with Vice Presidents Prof Dr Gunilla Budde (Studies and Teaching), Prof Dr Bernd Siebenhüner (Early Career Researchers and Quality Management) and the Vice President for Administration and Finance, Jörg Stahlmann, who has been appointed to manage the university's affairs. Computing Science Professor H.-Jürgen Appelrath will also take over Al-Shamery's previous position as Vice President for Research on an interim basis on 1 June.
"I will do everything in my power to drive forward the dynamic development of the university and consistently continue along the path we have taken. I have an experienced team at my side that will work together in a spirit of trust," explained Al-Shamery. In addition to Al-Shamery, Budde and Siebenhüner have also served as part-time Vice Presidents since 2010 and were confirmed in office in 2012. Appelrath had already held the position of Vice President for Research from 2009 to 2010.
The procedure for reappointing the President is regulated by the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act. A search committee proposes suitable candidates to the University Senate. This committee consists of three members of the University Council and three members of the University Senate as well as an advisory member appointed by the Ministry of Science. The University Senate decides on the committee's recommendation and submits the proposal, together with a statement from the University Council, to the Ministry of Science for a decision.
