Bye-bye 2024 and welcome 2025! Constructor University looks back on a successful year
Before we look forward to 2025, we’re taking a quick look back at 2024. Stellar research, inspiring events, groundbreaking cooperations and a plethora of social impact projects by students and employees alike combined to make 2024 a special year indeed for Constructor University. One event, however, stands out: the Europe Universities Summit organized by Times Higher Education (THE) held on campus in Bremen. Prominent personalities from the areas of science, commerce, politics and civil society gathered at Constructor University to discuss partnerships in higher education in April.
Bridge building and inspiring others: impactful events held at CU
As key players in shaping long-term social development, it is imperative that universities improve and facilitate cooperations with members of industry, civil society and other institutions of higher education, in order to bring about tangible and sustainable change for society. Addressing this challenge and exploring opportunities was at the core of the two-day summit Europe Universities Summit, which attracted 345 participants from 50 countries. At the same time, it afforded Constructor University the opportunity to present itself on a European stage and bolster its reputation in the higher education community. It did not stop there, however. With the first edition of “Constructor Demo Day,” CU strengthened its campus startup scene with an event that provided a capstone for the Constructor Accelerator Program, an initiative aimed to support startups from incubation to implementation. 30 teams of founders from more than 50 different nationalities participated in it. As another first, the university hosted the “Dynamic Days Europe” conference. Over the course of five days during the summer, 518 attendees got together to discuss the theory and application of dynamic systems.
Notable research and global recognition
For scientists, a significant metric in measuring success in research is the publication in renowned journals. 2024 saw numerous Constructor University professors earn international recognition. One such publication of international renown is the US-based “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS),” which published a study by Prof. Dr. Werner Nau’s team on a new method of intracellular protein transport in October. A team led by Prof. Dr. Michael Bau studied the effects of COVID-19 and climate change on drinking water in Berlin—the findings were then reported on in the journal “Water Research.”
Prof. Dr. Hilke Brockmann dedicated her research to the pursuit of happiness—a topic that interests scientist and researchers from around the globe as the recently published “Encyclopedia of Happiness, Quality of Life, and Subjective Wellbeing” demonstrated. The work has generated significant media echo, thanks in large part to Hilke Brockmann, who co-edited the work and further happiness research from a multitude of perspectives. The wins didn’t stop there, however. A team of computational systems biology researchers secured first place in the global science competition PEGS DREAM Challenge, while another successfully competed in the "Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL)", a global platform for the further development of autonomous vehicle technology.
Many other researchers have celebrated successes, including the group led by Prof. Dr. Dr.-Ing. Yilmaz Uygun with their world's largest delta 3D printer, which is now to be used for components in the space industry. Or the team led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hendro Wicaksono with its pioneering work on the management of supply chains with the help of causal artificial intelligence (AI).
Collaborations as a driver of innovation
Cooperation is central to the further development of a university. It provides new impetus and leads to innovation. For example, a research group from Constructor University is now participating in the groundbreaking SHiP (Search for Hidden Particles) experiment at CERN, the European Center for Nuclear Research. A cooperation with the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is set to be intensified and a dual degree program together with Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) in Famagusta, Cyprus, was recently announced. Constructor University also accepted 23 scholarship holders from Kazakhstan who have been selected by the prestigious Bolashak International Scholarship Program of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The university's cooperation were also strengthened on site in Bremen. Together with KUKA Assembly & Test GmbH, the university is now hosting the regional competition for Jugend forscht, the student and youth competition in the field of science and technology, on its campus.
Ascending the ranks and strengthening leadership
The satisfaction of students with their university and the excellence in both teaching and research were all once again reflected in international university rankings. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University ranking, Constructor University came in 57th out of 673 universities worldwide. Among German universities, the university ranked third. Top marks were also given in the ranking of the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE), the most comprehensive and detailed comparison of universities in the German-speaking world.
Back on campus, the university was further strengthened as a leading research institution by the appointment of two new members of the Supervisory Board. Theoretical physicist Prof. Dr. Dieter Lüst and economist Prof. Dr. Yves Flückiger were unanimously elected to the committee.
Commitment and community
2024 was indeed a banner year for Constructor University—thanks in large part, of course, to the students. Involved on numerous levels and in numerous projects, from on-campus events, such as the Art Fest to "Community Impact Projects," where they use their knowledge and expertise to give back to the community, the Constructor University student body is deserving of the highest praise. Most recently, the 200 participants of the BMW Causal Machine Learning Hackathon impressed the jury with their stellar contributions.
Last, but certainly not least, is the highlight of the academic year. The culmination of years of hardwork: graduation. Students, teachers, staff, parents, family and friends came to recognize and celebrate the 401 students of the Class of 2024. The university's 21st graduating class, received their certificates the special ceremony held on campus in June.
Thank you to everyone who helped make 2024 an unforgettable success and here’s to 2025!