Looking back, moving forward: Constructor University’s 2025 year-in-review
As we wind the calendar down on another year and settle in for the holidays, what better time to reflect on the year that was? From ground-breaking research to creative collaborations, productive partnerships and engaging events, 2025 was another exciting year of growth and transformation for Constructor University. Here’s a look back at some of 2025’s biggest moments and milestones from the Constructor community.
Plotting a course for the future: campus updates
We start by looking 'back to the future', as Constructor University took major steps in 2025 to solidify its role as a global leader in research and innovation for today and tomorrow. In June, the university celebrated a €100 million milestone by confirming a partnership with leading European developer Ten Brinke to add up to 1,000 new beds of on-campus student housing. This news followed the launch in May of a hybrid collaboration between Constructor and US-based online university Nexford University, opening new pathways for students across the world to begin their degree online before completing their studies on campus in Germany. Both events marked major steps towards the university’s Master Plan of doubling student enrolment by 2031.
These and other strategic initiatives will be carried into 2026 by a renewed leadership team, with Turgut Tülü joining Constructor University as its new Chancellor in February and Dr. Serguei Kouzmin appointed as the new University President in November. Previous Chancellor Oznur Bell also transitioned into a strategic role as Chairwoman of the Board of Governors. This new leadership team will carry Constructor University into a new year of boldly advancing research and technology, and empowering the next generation of scientists, professionals and leaders.
Fuelling discovery: research and grants
In labs, workshops and field sites across the planet, Constructor University’s community of renowned researchers contributed groundbreaking new research and discoveries this year in science, technology, mathematics and more.
Making big waves in ocean science, Professor Andrea Koschinsky contributed to a key study on hydrothermal plumes and the flow of iron in the world’s oceans, while geo-chemist Michael Bau shed new light on gadolinium contamination from MRI’s in the North and Baltic Seas before generating national buzz as a guest expert on German TV show Markus Lanz. Also making a ‘splash’ was Professor Werner Nau’s research on “high-energy water,” which attracted attention from science and media outlets both in Germany and internationally.
Linking cutting-edge technology to human health, Professor Nau also secured a prestigious €10 million ERC Synergy Grant – the single largest grant award in Constructor University history – for a groundbreaking new strategy to “drug undruggable diseases.” Meanwhile, Professor Ulrich Kleinekathöfer and his research team fabricated the first-ever fully functional mirror-image nanopore, and Professor Dr. Amir Jahanian-Najafabadi showcased a new machine-learning-based method for brain monitoring that could significantly improve early diagnosis of neurological conditions like Major Depressive Disorders (MDD). Finally, Professors Klaudia Brix and Petr Popov combined machine learning with cell biology to uncover important new findings about the Thyroid, a small gland with a big role in human health.
Lastly, with the release of the 2025 German Diversity Barometer, Constructor University’s Regina Arant, Georgi Dragolov and Klaus Boehnke helped stoke the national discourse on diversity, tolerance and identity in Europe's leading immigration nation. Listen to Professor Boehnke share his full thoughts and analysis of the report on the Constructor Talks Podcast, which also launched in 2025!
Connecting to excellence: partnerships, events and collaborations
Every year, Constructor University forges innovative partnerships and collaborations that put its values into action. From the Balkans to the Himalayas, and from students to start-ups, these invaluable connections forged in 2025 helped elevate our values of innovation, education and sustainability.
In one of the year’s most promising collaborations, 2025 saw the launch of the $1 million Constructor Start Acceleration Program, inviting early-stage, tech-focused start-ups from around the world to build their scalable business ideas through access to Constructor’s vast mentorship network, educational resources and research labs. With the first round of finalists announced in November, the program promises an exciting start to 2026, when the top 15 start-ups will pitch their businesses live to investors, media and the public for a chance at $100,000 at Constructor’s second annual Demo Day event this coming February.
In a high-speed partnership with sister organization Constructor Technology, the Constructor Autonomous Racing Team took on world’s best and fastest driverless cars at Abu Dhabi’s iconic Yas Marina circuit, making it all the way to the Grand Final race of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League.
Constructor University’s commitment to education as a fundamental human right was on full display at home and abroad in 2025. “Turn questions into answers” was the motto of the Jugend Forscht youth science competition hosted by Constructor University for the first time ever in February. Our campus also welcomed inquiring young minds from throughout the local region in both January – where a small group of lucky students spent a week with MIT students for the MINTernational week – as well as in the fall for the annual MINT-Tag (STEM Day) event. These local events complemented international education partnerships such as the Global Scholarship Program with SOS-Kinderdörfer, as well as initiatives aimed at helping teens in Romania and women studying IT in Azerbaijan.
Finally, Constructor University continued to leverage its leadership and expertise in digital transformation in 2025, partnering with learning institutions in both Saudi Arabia and the small, mountainous nation of Bhutan on separate initiatives to promote greater digitization, integration and connection for these developing economies.
Thank you to everyone who helped make 2025 yet another incredible year for Constructor University. We raise our glass to you and the coming new year!