"A special distinction"

Professor Dr. Ulrich Rüdiger, Rector of the University of Konstanz, receives honorary doctorate from Taras Shevchenko National University in Kiev

"To receive such a special distinction from Taras Shevchenko National University fills me with pride and joy”, said Rector Ulrich Rüdiger on 5 December 2016 in his acceptance speech in Kiev (Ukraine). Professor Dr. Leonid Hubersky, Rector of Taras Shevchenko National University in Kiev, had just before handed him his certificate of appointment confirming that he is a new honorary doctor at this top Ukrainian university. The doctorate was conferred during a meeting of the senate of Taras Shevchenko National University.

Leonid Hubersky said that Professor Rüdiger’s academic achievements in the field of physics justified the awarding of the honorary doctorate. He also emphasized Ulrich Rüdiger’s commitment, both personal and in the context of university policy, to their universities’ alliance, the most important one with a German university, assured Hubersky. In 2017, the partnership will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Over the years, the relationship has developed in many directions: cooperation between the two universities includes a lively exchange between researchers and students. Ulrich Rüdiger emphasized the excellent academic standard of the students and doctoral researchers from Kiev who come to the University of Konstanz. In addition, the relationship to Taras Shevchenko National University is characterized by very fruitful cultural links.

Professor Rüdiger, for whom it is already the second time, following his honorary doctorate from the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Moscow, that he has received this high academic distinction, also mentioned the latest meetings between the two universities: in 2015, a joint congress took place at the University of Konstanz in cooperation with the German and Ukrainian rectors’ conferences, during which a delegation from Kiev learnt about the University’s organizational structures. Only this year, the performance given by the university choir from Kiev was one of the highlights of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the University of Konstanz.

In his acceptance speech, Ulrich Rüdiger also spoke of Babi Yar, which in 1941 saw the massacre of Jewish people by the German armed forces. “I by no means take for granted what I am fortunate enough to experience here today”, said Ulrich Rüdiger.

Ulrich Rüdiger has been rector of the University of Konstanz since 2009. In 2014, he was re-elected for a second term of office until 2023. After completing his studies in physics, his doctorate and his post-doctoral qualification in Aachen, New York and San José, he joined the University of Konstanz as a professor of experimental solid-state physics in 2002. He was Vice Rector for Research at the University of Konstanz from 2007 to 2009.

In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to science, he received the "Ordre des Palmes Académiques", one of the highest awards of France. He has been Vice President for Research and Young Researchers of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) since 2014.

 Facts:

  • In 1992, the partnership between the Taras Shevchenko University and Konstanz was established.
  • In 2012, Ulrich Rüdiger received the honorary doctorate from the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Moscow.
  • In 2012, he received the "Ordre des Palmes Académiques".