Gesine Grande re-elected as President – BTU focuses on continuity and raising its profile

The new term of office will begin in October 2026, following her appointment by the Minister for Science, Manja Schüle, and will last for six years.

Prof. Grande was elected in the first round of voting with an absolute majority. This marks the first time since the BTU was founded in 2013 that a president has been re-elected for a second term. 

“I am delighted by the broad support from the university and the trust placed in me by the Senate,” explains Prof. Dr Gesine Grande. “This second term creates the ideal conditions for continuing the BTU’s successful course together with all my colleagues and our external partners. We still have a lot to achieve; we have ambitious goals. I will continue to dedicate myself to our university with passion and all my energy in the years to come.”

“The BTU has visibly raised its profile in recent years and provided important impetus for the region,” emphasised the board chairperson, Prof. Dr Eike Albrecht, congratulating Prof. Gesine Grande on her re-election. “In particular, through her successes in developing the university as a centre of research, enhancing the profile of our study programmes and setting numerous strategic directions, Prof. Grande has shaped the university with a clear vision and great dedication. In her presentation, she convincingly demonstrated how she intends to continue on this path. Prof. Grande knows the BTU and its potential as well as its challenges. This convinced the Senate, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration.” 

About the candidate

Prof. Dr. p.h. habil. Gesine Grande, born in 1964, studied Psychology at the University of Leipzig, obtained her PhD as a Doctor of Public Health in Bielefeld in 1997 and completed her habilitation at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Leipzig in 2012. She served as a professor at the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK) and at the University of Bremen. Before being elected President of the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg in 2020, she served one term as Rector at HTWK Leipzig.

Prof. Grande is involved in a wide range of activities, including the GATE-Germany Steering Committee, the Supervisory Board of the Leibniz-Institute for Innovations for High Performance Electronics (IHP) and Leipziger Messe, as well as on the boards of trustees of various scientific institutions such as the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) and the Fraunhofer IPMS. She is board chairperson of the Lausitz Science Network (LSN) and a member of the board of trustees of the Fürst-Pückler-Museum Park and Branitz Castle Foundation and the Max Grünebaum Foundation, where she also serves as board chairperson.