The Senate of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) confirmed Prof. Dr Gesine Grande as President for a second term of office on 7 May 2026. The re-election represents continuity at the top of the university. At the same time, the decision emphasises BTU's role as a driving force for the transformation of Lusatia. The new term of office will begin in October 2026 following the appointment by Science Minister Manja Schüle and will last six years.
Prof. Grande was elected with an absolute majority in the first round of voting. This is the first time since BTU was founded in 2013 that a president has been re-elected for a second term of office.
"I am extremely pleased about the broad support from the university and the trust of the Senate," explains Prof. Dr Gesine Grande. "The second term of office creates the best conditions for continuing BTU's successful course together with all our colleagues and our external partners. We still have a lot to do, we have big goals. I will continue to work passionately and wholeheartedly for our university in the coming years."
"BTU has visibly raised its profile in recent years and provided important impetus for the region," emphasises the Chair of the Senate Prof. Dr Eike Albrecht and congratulates Prof. Gesine Grande on her re-election. "Prof. Grande has shaped the university with a clear line and great commitment, particularly with her successes in the development of the science location, the profiling of the degree programmes and numerous strategic decisions. In her presentation, she convincingly demonstrated how she intends to continue on this course. Mrs Grande knows the BTU and its potential as well as its challenges. This has convinced the Senate, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration."
Minister of Science Dr Manja Schüle congratulates Gesine Grande: "Congratulations to Gesine Grande on her well-deserved re-election! This is a great decision – for many reasons. Not only because she is still the only East German university president. But also because, with a dedicated team and many partners, she has managed to ensure that the second largest university and only technical university in the state has become the driving force behind structural change in Lusatia. Because it has further sharpened the university's profile with new degree programmes such as teacher training and midwifery. Because it was one of the first universities in Germany to develop a concept for action against right-wing extremist influence and set up a monitoring centre. Because it has managed to increase student numbers again. In short, because BTU stands for innovative strength, networking, attitude and confidence in the future. I am delighted that we can continue our collaboration!"
Born in Leipzig in 1964, Gesine Grande studied psychology at Leipzig University and completed her doctorate at Bielefeld University in 1997. After gaining her licence to practise as a psychological psychotherapist, she completed her habilitation at the University of Leipzig in 2012. She was Rector of Leipzig University of Applied Sciences from 2014 to 2019 and has been President of Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg since 2020.