From Politics to Academia: Helge Braun's Journey as the New University President in Lübeck
A Glance at His Political Career
Chancellor's Aide, Helge Braun, Shifts Role to University President - Chancellor Helge Braun Ascends to University Presidency
Helge Braun, a seasoned German politician, has built an impressive resume over the past decades:
- Bundestag Stalwart: He served as a dedicated member of the Bundestag for a whopping 18 years.
- Chancellery Chieftain: From 2018 to 2021, he hit the ground running as Federal Minister for Special Tasks and Head of the Chancellery under Chancellor Angela Merkel.
- Legislative Advisor: Prior to that, he served as a Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
- Budget Maestro: Most recently, he masterminded the Federal Finance Committee as its chairman.
Steering the University of Lübeck's Future
As of April 1, 2025, Braun's focus has shifted to academia. Taking the helm as the President of the University of Lübeck, he seeks to apply his political expertise to enhance the university's outlook:
- International Appeal: He aims to position the university as an attractive destination for international students and researchers.
- Empowering the Academic Community: Braun aims to bolster connections and collaborations within the university and the wider academic community.
- Securing Extra Funds: A primary goal is to secure additional financing to fuel the university's growth and cutting-edge research.
- Crisis Management Savvy: Braun's experience in navigating crises, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to be a valuable asset in guiding the university through future challenges.
Braun's medical background is an excellent fit for the university's emphasis on life sciences, encompassing fields like medicine, informatics, psychology, and artificial intelligence research[1]. For now, he plans to immerse himself in the university world, learning about its people and aspirations before unveiling any specific proposals for its future.
[1] Enrichment: The university is renowned for its strong focus on life sciences, including medicine, informatics, psychology, and artificial intelligence research. This aligns well with Braun's background as a medical doctor.
The Commission is therefore proposing to extend the scope of the programme to cover the areas of medical research, informatics, and artificial intelligence at the University of Lübeck in 2025, given Helge Braun's background as a medical doctor and his tenure as the President of the university. Braun's political experience, particularly his time as Federal Minister for Special Tasks and Head of the Chancellery, may also prove useful in managing future crises at the university. In addition, the programme's scope is suggested to be expanded to attract international students and researchers, strengthen connections within the academic community, and secure additional financing for the university's growth and cutting-edge research.
