Founding rector Ronald Mönch from Bremen University of Applied Sciences died at the age of 82

Founding rector Ronald Mönch from Bremen University of Applied Sciences died at the age of 82

On Saturday, June 15, 2025, the academic world said goodbye to Ronald Mönch, the founding rector of the Bremen University. He died at the proud age of 82. Mönch played a formative role at the university from 1982 to 2001 and has been re -elected several times. The Bremen University of Applied Sciences was created in 1982 from the merger of four institutions and today has around 9,000 students who can choose from more than 70 courses. Last but not least, these successes are thanks to Mönch's visionary commitment, as the Bremen science senator Kathrin Moosdorf emphasizes in her appreciation: "His commitment in the early years was crucial for the development of our university." Buten un inner .

Mönch was born in Baden-Württemberg in 1942 and became known as a lawyer. After graduating from high school in Heidelberg in 1961, he studied law at the Universities of Heidelberg and Göttingen, before taking off the first legal state examination in 1966. After the military service and a study visit to the Sorbonne in Paris, the second state examination followed in 1971. First he worked as a lawyer before becoming a lecturer and later a professor at the University of Economics in Bremen. Between 1979 and 1982 he was its rector until the university passed into the newly founded Bremen University. wikipedia confirmed .

Introduction of the Bremen University of Applied Sciences

When founding the Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Mönch already had a clear plan. The university started around 3,000 students and has increased significantly over the years. Mönch's importance for Bremen science is also highlighted by the current Rector Konrad Wolf: "He laid the foundation for an institution that has developed into a load -bearing pillar of education in Bremen." Mönch's successful term was shaped by foresight, and his merits were recognized by the University Rectors' Conference (HRK), where he served as Vice President for student affairs from 2000 to 2002.

Not only as a rector, also as a scientist Mönch left his mark. He had more than just one foot in the door when it came to developing new fields of study. His commitment to high -quality education in Germany is also reflected in various publications. These include works such as "From the Technical Center to Bremen University of Applied Sciences. 100 years of engineering in Bremen" and the comment on the "Bremen Health Representation Act". The Federal Center for Political Education speaks of continuous change in the university structures , although Mönch has made a significant contribution to this.

a legacy, that remains

Mönch's life's work not only stands for top academic performance, but also for a fundamental change in the education system. In the past hundred years, the university landscape in Germany has changed drastically, from the old universities of the Middle Ages to modern university formation, which mainly relies on internationality and flexibility. Mönch was a pioneer in this change and campaigned for a university orientation that integrates both research and teaching. This philosophy is more important than ever today, since the universities have to position themselves more and more as independent actors in the knowledge society.

Ronald Mönch leaves a heir that will shape the Bremen University of Applied Sciences. His vision for education will continue to be inspiration for many generations of students and teachers. Today, while we commemorate his achievements, it becomes clear that its use for university education in Bremen is more than just a remarkable career - it is a timeless legacy.