10 October 2025
Scientific pursuit for the sake of human well-being and a free societyThe University’s Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences Turns 20!
Photo: Universität Hamburg/MIN/Fuchs
The Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences (MIN for short) was founded with the goal of unifying mathematics, informatics and the natural sciences under a single umbrella at the University of Hamburg and promoting exchange between the fields. In the last decades, it has grown into the University’s largest faculty, with numerous cooperation and interdisciplinary projects and an international network. It boasts 8,500 students, including 1,800 doctoral researchers and teacher training students, as well as 200 professorships and 370 research associates.
“The twentieth anniversary of the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences is an important milestone in the history the the Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence. MIN combines excellent research with first-rate teaching: Its work, from basic research to socially relevant applications, makes a significant contribution to addressing central issues facing us in the future. I thank all members of the faculty for their tireless commitment, their creativity, and their contributions to the University’s national and international visibility,” said Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren, the University’s president.
“A lot has happened in the faculty’s first 20 years: Above all, its members have continuously done extraordinary work in research, studies, teaching, and knowledge exchange as well in all areas that support scientific pursuit. In my eyes, excellent research and teaching, team spirit, and the will to master challenges together are the fundamental building blocks of our success. The members of MIN pursue science and scholarship with great passion and personal commitment for the well-being of others and our free society. This is an opportunity for us to show our special appreciation,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Norbert Ritter, dean of MIN.
Looking back over 2 decades of MIN
On 9 October 2025, the main festivities took place in the Audimax, with words of welcome from Maryam Blumenthal, Hamburg’s senator for science, research, and equal opportunity; Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren, the University’s president; and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Norbert Ritter, the faculty’s dean. Highlights from the last 20 years followed, with the founding dean, Prof. Dr. Arno Frühwald, and Prof. Dr. Heinrich Graener (dean from 2009 to 2022) sharing memories and milestones. Dr. Angelika Paschke-Kratzin, the University’s equal opportunity commissioner, also shared her experiences and perspective.
Numerous members of the faculty and the University of Hamburg as well as external guests attended the festivities. Speakers not only mentioned MIN’s achievements and growth but also the responsibility to maintain its commitment to knowledge at a time of change and uncertainty.
Impressions and looking ahead
There was major focus on academic freedom, revealing that the faculty does not see itself merely as a place of knowledge but also as integral to a democratic culture in which research and teaching must take place freely. With a view to the upcoming years, the faculty announced that is would be further defining its profile, intensifying interdisciplinary research, and strengthening communication between society at large and policymakers.
On Friday, the festivities will continue with an academic symposium at the Bahrenfeld campus. Researchers in all MIN departments will give presentations on current projects in life science, materials, and quantum science and technologies. The goal is to foster dialogue and initiate new, interdisciplinary research projects.