University of Bonn opens doors: knowledge fireworks at Dies academicus!

University of Bonn opens doors: knowledge fireworks at Dies academicus!

On May 19, 2025, the University of Bonn will once again be with its traditionalThis academicusbrought to life. On this open day, the lecture halls will be open to students, employees, relatives, tourists and passers-by to present the wide range of programs on offer. Dr. med. Thomas L. Loy demonstrates live knee operations on a practice model in the university's arcade courtyard.

The event not only offers a platform for medical insights, but also for a variety of lectures, exhibitions and guided tours, which take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Lecture Hall I there will be a presentation on an important topic: air pollution in residential areas, which is attracting more and more attention these days. Another academic highlight is the inaugural lecture by Dr. Claudia Kampmann on church history in the baroque castle church.

Variety of presentations

In addition, various university facilities present themselves with information stands. These include, among others, the Bonn University Shakespeare Company and the Transfer Center enaCom. A visit to the Academic Art Museum offers the opportunity to admire original sculptures and plaster casts from antiquity, including a plaster cast of a Roman sacrificial relief depicting Emperor Tiberius.

Guided tours in the Arithmeum focus on historical measuring instruments and geometric bodies, which are intended to give visitors a deeper understanding of mathematical principles and their development over the course of history. The university sports day takes place at the same time. A new outdoor fitness course is being opened here, which Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Klaus Sandmann introduces.

Academic lectures and discussions

The Dies academicus not only attracts local visitors, but also highlights global perspectives on migration and culture. On May 14, 2025, lectures were held in a different context in which the history of global migration was discussed. Evelyn Hu-De Hart spoke about “Five Hundred Years of Chinese Migration Abroad” and highlighted the role of Chinese communities in the emergence of multicultural societies.

Dr. Christine Whyte devoted her presentation to the fate of African children who were freed from the slave trade in the 19th century. These formed orphans of the British Empire. Dr. Aleksander Paradziński discussed the political structures of the 5th century, which revolved around the figure of Empress Pulcheria and illuminated the influence of dependencies.

Such interdisciplinary events are part of the constant effort to link the academic world with the public discourse about migration and its historical significance, as impressively presented in the lecture series "Migration. Migration movements from antiquity to the present" organized by the Free University of Berlin.

Conclusion of Science Day

Science Day ends with a team Olympics in which ten teams compete in eight disciplines. The “Zeitnah” team emerges as the winner, rounding off an inspiring day that impressively highlights the commitment and diversity of the University of Bonn.

With this wide range of offerings and the high level of participation, the University of Bonn shows once again how lively and integrative academic education can be. It remains to be seen what topics and formats will be featured next year This academicus be presented.