Foreword University President Hartmut Ihne

Foreword

The role of science in democracy

This annual report comes at an important time for Hochschule Bonn-RheinSieg. In 2020, we can look back with pride on a quarter century of science at our university of applied sciences. A lot has happened these past 25 years. The university has gone through a series of changes since its birth. Founded in 1995 by the German Bundestag, the German Federal Government and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, this child of German unity has become a recognised academic institution with an excellent position in research, teaching and knowledge transfer, as well as a regional and international focus. The success of the university shows how wise the political decision was at the time to focus on knowledge at the historic moment of unity and to enrich the diverse university landscape in NRW with an innovation-oriented university.

As a university of applied sciences, H-BRS actively shapes our region and far beyond. Regions are the actual cores of global development – globalisation is nothing more than their competition with each other. In the regions, competencies, innovations and people‘s lives come together. Science, which like our university works with local actors, simultaneously works in transregional and global contexts. Thus, regional small and medium-sized enterprises are globally networked as important partners of our university. The ability to cooperate with SMEs and in practice with the business world requires the ability to think, research and act in broader, also international contexts.

The essence of science is to comprehend things. It is analytical, synthetic, methodical and always curious. Diffusion is the motto of this year‘s annual report because science is first and foremost a matter of recognising, comprehending and diffusing knowledge. But this also means being heard and making an impact – not only in professional circles, but also in society. Precisely in the context of corona and climate change, we are witnessing the importance of science as an active companion to our democratic society and political

decisions. There is much to be done to shape our reality in a sustainable way and ensure that human dignity is the unalterable basis of our existence. The university, with its many members striving for innovation and commitment, its great partner institutions and loyal friends, is a beacon of hope for a good future.

Prof. Dr Hartmut Ihne President of H-BRS