"My wish would be that we become the best university of our size ."

UBTaktuell: What have been the most important achievements during your tenure since 2013?

Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible: Certainly, the establishment of an Excellence Cluster is a highlight — we were the only university in Bavaria to receive our own "undivided" cluster in 2019. Africa Multiple has since established itself very well and contributes significantly to the reputation of our university. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the cluster will be extended in May! Moreover, there was an increase in the proportion of international students at the University of Bayreuth — from 5 percent at the time to 18 percent now. And, of course, the firm establishment of our startup activities and the growth in the number of professors who continue to sharpen our outstanding profile across all faculties. Speaking of faculties: Faculty VII in Kulmbach must also be mentioned here — a real success story. But please don't misunderstand me: These successes are all based on genuine team efforts; a president cannot achieve such things alone. I would therefore like to sincerely thank all my colleagues at this point!

UBTaktuell: Which topics did not go so well?

Leible: I was very saddened that we were unsuccessful in the current round of excellence, in which we had hoped to gain new clusters. Also, the unfortunate back and forth around the Regional Innovation Centre as a tandem institution to our Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. But that is now moving towards a pleasing resolution.

UBTaktuell: What are your goals for the new term? Are there particular focuses you would like to concentrate on?

Leible: I hope that we can continue on the successful path of internationalization. And we are working to ensure that, despite an increasingly difficult budget situation, we can continue to expand research and teaching and further sharpen our profile. We need to consolidate and make adjustments, yet remain innovative, such as embedding sustainability in all its dimensions on campus or implementing artificial intelligence as a method in research and teaching across the campus. Additionally, there is the issue of construction. The building substance on campus is still decent. But if we don't start planning for some major renovations now, we will soon no longer be competitive. That will be the challenge.

UBTaktuell: Where do you see UBT in the next 25 years?

Leible: My wish would be that we become the best university of our size in Germany.

UBTaktuell: How, in your opinion, can UBT strengthen the transfer of knowledge to society in times of fake news?

Leible: We need to use our channels into society to explain facts from a scientific perspective and reduce skepticism towards science. And we must remain a place of discourse and not even allow the issue of "cancel culture" to arise; because where, if not at a university, should it be possible to discuss openly and freely — always within the limits of the law?

UBTaktuell: What motivates you to continue in the challenging role of President?

Leible: The possibilities for shaping things, the feeling of being able to make a big impact in a team, and contributing to a science-based discourse.

UBTaktuell: How has the scientific landscape changed since you took office in 2013?

Leible: The environment has become harsher. Even the most well-founded insights from the university are irrationally questioned and — often in absurd ways — interpreted to mean the opposite. Moreover, the international competition for the best minds has become significantly tougher — with a budget situation that has worsened significantly since last year in Bavaria and Germany.

UBTaktuell: You studied at UBT. Could you ever have imagined becoming the President of this university during your studies?

Leible: No, I never even dreamed of it.

UBTaktuell: What, in your opinion, makes UBT special?

Leible: The most beautiful campus in Germany, our interdisciplinary nature, the manageability and the international openness — and above all the wonderful people who bring our campus to life and engage with it.