Unibund Halle–Jena–Leipzig celebrates its 30th anniversary

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Central German University Association Halle–Jena–Leipzig. The largest universities in the federal states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia joined forces in 1995 to jointly promote projects in the areas of research and teaching. The Unibund is celebrating the anniversary with a public event on 23 June in the Paulinum – Auditorium and University Church of St. Pauli in Leipzig.

The event will begin with words of welcome from the ministries of the three federal states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony. The programme will then include a panel discussion (at 11:30 am) with the rectors Prof. Dr Claudia Becker (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg) and Prof. Dr Eva Inés Obergfell (Leipzig University) as well as President Prof. Dr Andreas Marx (Friedrich Schiller University Jena).

Perspectives of the university managements

Most recently, all three universities were successful with their own Cluster projects as part of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments. The panel discussion will therefore also focus on the perspectives of the university managements on these successes and on future endeavours to achieve excellence.

In the afternoon (from 1:30 pm), scientists will talk about examples of cooperation and possible initiatives for the future. Topics will include: joint courses of the museums and collections, cooperation between the language centres, mentoring programme for female postdocs, Leibniz ScienceCampus "Eastern Europe—Global Area" (EEGA), "Forum for the study of the global condition" (a joint platform for research in the humanities and social sciences).

Keynote lecture

A keynote speech by several researchers in the morning (11 am) will be dedicated to the genesis and success factors of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle–Jena–Leipzig. Established in 2012, iDiv is the most successful project of the Unibund. The centre was funded by the German Research Foundation for ten years and is now permanently supported by the states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony as well as the three Unibund universities, in cooperation with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). The research centre has earned itself an international reputation as a leading institution in biodiversity research.

Unibund Forum

The afternoon's topics include a second very successful joint project: the Unibund Forum, which the universities of Halle-Wittenberg, Jena and Leipzig present together every year at the Leipzig Book Fair. The popular science programme there is always very well received by the fair visitors.

There will also be an afternoon lecture on the International Startup Campus. This joint initiative is dedicated to bundling and expanding the support services for young start-up teams in Central Germany into internationally orientated contact points.

Comments on the anniversary

The Unibund is an important cooperation partner for Leipzig University and at the same time a decisive factor for the strength of Central Germany as a science location. Of course, the first thing that always comes to mind is the great joint success with the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research. Since its foundation, the Unibund has also been brought to life time and again by students and researchers in various departments who utilize the opportunities for exchange across federal states.

Prof Dr Eva Inés Obergfell, Rector of Leipzig University

Three universities are stronger together than each on its own. I think it's a good idea to join forces and make something special out of what is good. For 30 years, the Unibund has not only enabled us to study across universities and recognize each other's certificates. It also creates space for joint cutting-edge research.

Prof Dr Claudia Becker, Rector of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

The Central German University Alliance has developed steadily over the past 30 years. Today, the universities of Halle, Jena and Leipzig are increasingly working together across locations in research, teaching and transfer. We are finding common answers to many future questions within the alliance—because our academic profiles complement each other and we are pooling our different strengths in a targeted manner.

Prof Dr Andreas Marx, President of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena