On September 1st, Constructor University rang in its first academic year under its new name and brand. With accolades and inspiring words from its community, the university welcomed around 600 students with up to 100 different nations to start their academic careers in Bremen. New faculty members were introduced and extraordinary students and professors were honored.
University President Dr. Stanislav Protasov welcomed the new students in his Annual Opening speech: "I am delighted to welcome so many talented students today, on what might be one of the happiest days of their lives. Our university, their new home, is a place for them to learn and refine new skills and to gain real-life experience. Here, at Constructor University, we emphasize the importance of applying knowledge to today’s challenges, allowing our students to showcase and develop their talents.”
In his keynote address, Dr. Serg Bell, Chairman of the Board of Governors and majority shareholder of Constructor University, called on the students to multiply their knowledge and utilize it to empower the people and communities around them. Philipp Rösler, Vice Chairman of the university’s Board of Governors, emphasized the importance of diving into the diversity on campus, working hard, creating lifelong connections and therefore driving fruitful and peaceful global collaboration. In addition, Heiko Dornstedt, head of the local office in Vegesack, Iris-Stefania Petcu and Leslie Munyaradzi Magoronga as the undergraduate and graduate student representatives, respectively, as well as alumna and Alumni Association President Dr. Cornelia Scheitz found motivating words for the new students and welcomed them to the community and neighborhood.
Numerous prestigious accolades were also presented at the Annual Opening Ceremony. This includes the Dean’s Prize, which recognizes one outstanding bachelor's thesis from each of the university's three schools and one master's thesis. This year, bachelor students Maike Henschel (Biochemistry and Cell Biology), Vladimir Fedorov (Computer Science), Lukas Brockmeier (Industrial Engineering and Management) and master student Katharina Schiffer (Psychology), were awarded.
Each year, students nominate the best teachers for their exemplary teaching, commitment, and their helpfulness outside the classroom. Dr. Susanne Illenberger, Professor of Cell Biology, Dr. Kinga Lipskoch, University Lecturer in Computer Science, and Dr. Omid Fatahi Valilai, University Lecturer in Industrial Engineering, were all delighted to receive the coveted "Teacher of the Year" award at the ceremony.
In addition, the annual DAAD award for international students was presented. It recognizes excellent academic performance and outstanding social commitment. This year, Ömer Güzel received the award. He is studying Global Economics and Management and is co-founder of ResQme, a start-up that aims to use the latest technologies to reduce response times to natural disasters in countries of the global south and bring those affected together with those helping.
About Constructor University:
Founded in 2001, Constructor University is a top-ranked, English-language, private university, with a campus in Bremen, Germany. With its interdisciplinary approach, advanced digital learning tools and accredited programs, it equips students with fundamental knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills to build their professional career and address the world’s most pressing challenges.
The University emphasizes a synergetic and entrepreneurial spirit, offering program mentoring from top-tier professors and industry experts. Partner collaborations include the Constructor Institute in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Carnegie Mellon, the National University of Singapore, the University of Geneva, and industry references such as Anisoprint, JetBrains and ChemDiv.
Internationality and diversity lie at the heart of Constructor University, with more than 110 nations at its vibrant and close-knit campus community in Bremen. There, students enjoy active campus life, with access to clubs, professional networks and academic counselling, essential to their personal and academic growth.
Research-centric faculty projects at the University are funded by the German Research Foundation, the European Union's Framework Program for Research and Innovation, and globally leading companies.
The greater Constructor Knowledge ecosystem includes Constructor University in Bremen, Germany, and Constructor Institute in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. It is a provider of education services with education tools, worldwide traditional and online educational services, as well as advisory and strategic services to education customers in the fields of student recruitment, communications, and marketing support.