Chemical milestones: Bielefeld's faculty celebrates 50 years of innovation!

Chemical milestones: Bielefeld's faculty celebrates 50 years of innovation!

On July 8, 2025, the Faculty of Chemistry at Bielefeld University will celebrate its 50th anniversary. To mark this special occasion, an official celebration evening will be held for invited guests. The faculty also invites you to an open day in the central hall of the main university building on Saturday, July 12th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A varied program awaits visitors under the motto “Chemistry you can touch and take away”.

The half-year celebrations offer hands-on experiments for all ages, an exciting experimental lecture and practical experiments teutolab chemistry. No registration is required, so everyone has the opportunity to experience the fascinating field of chemistry up close.

A look into history

The Faculty of Chemistry was founded in July 1975 with a focus on molecule-based materials. The first dean, Professor Dr. Thomas Dorfmüller, shaped the first years of the faculty. Particularly noteworthy are the faculty's milestones, such as the approval of a collaborative research center in 2002 and the introduction of a bilateral graduate school in 2016. These developments represent important advances in research and teaching.

The current dean, Professor Dr. Thomas Hellweg, looks optimistically into the future and emphasizes that the faculty is pursuing new ideas and is ready to face the challenges of the next 50 years. Part of this vision includes planning new degree programs focused on sustainable chemistry to be offered starting in the winter semester of 2026, including an English-taught master's degree program.

teutolab chemistry and the motivation for chemistry

The teutolab chemistry, founded on February 4, 2000, is the first hands-on laboratory for school classes in Germany. Initiator Professor Dr. Katharina Kohse-Höinghaus and the team of teachers promote enthusiasm for scientific subjects through targeted experiments and strengthen the connection between schools and Bielefeld University. The focus is on the hands-on philosophy and encourages students to experiment independently.

Over the years, a national and international network with over 70 satellite laboratories has developed. The teutolab chemistry is currently run by Professor Dr. Angelika Kühnle, who works together with a dedicated team to strengthen interdisciplinarity and the use of digital media in chemical education.

Sustainable chemistry as a topic of the future

At a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly important, chemistry plays a central role. Chemistry is ubiquitous not only in cell phones and clothing, but also in numerous household products, and sustainable chemical processes can help reduce the impact on the environment. The concept of sustainable chemistry is increasingly being integrated into curricula, although it has often been little represented in school and extracurricular lessons. This development is particularly important to arouse children and young people's interest in environmental protection and resource efficiency.

The German Federal Environmental Foundation has developed various educational approaches that promote experimental learning. Topics such as material cycles, recycling and composting as well as heat flow regulation are covered so that students can explore the idea of ​​cycles intensively. Catalysts are presented to show how chemical reactions can occur more efficiently.

In summary, the Faculty of Chemistry at Bielefeld University is a significant player in chemical education and research. With its extensive program at the 50th anniversary and its long-term goals for sustainable chemistry, it shows both its tradition and its progressiveness. The changes being initiated could pave the way for the next generation of chemists and sustain interest in this fascinating field.