Skip to main content

President's New Year's Reception

The President's New Year's Reception takes place on the Griebnitzsee campus.
Photo: Kevin Ryl
Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D. holds speech at his New Year's Reception

Traditionally, the President's New Year's Reception takes place on Griebnitzsee campus. At this high-ranking ceremony, the president looks back and informs about challenges and tasks of the university in the new year. In addition to the employees of the University of Potsdam, the guests include numerous personalities from politics, business, science and culture.

Every year, the New Year's reception also provides a festive setting for honors and awards. For example, the university awards the "Voltaire Prize for Tolerance, International Understanding and Respect for Difference", the Technology Transfer Prize, and the Guido Reger Founder's Prize.

Pictures of previous events can be found on our gallery page.

Impressions of the New Year's Reception 2025

  • In his New Year's address, President Prof Oliver Günther, Ph.D., identifies current challenges facing the university.
  • Voltaire Prize winner Prof Dr Rosario Figari Layús with the laudator Prof Dr Florian Schweigert (M.) and the President of the University of Potsdam, Prof Oliver Günther, Ph.D.
  • Sociologist Prof Dr Rosario Figari Layús from Argentina gives her acceptance speech for the Voltaire Prize 2025.
  • The Transfer Prize 2025 went to chemist Prof Andreas Taubert for his outstanding research into sustainable water treatment.
  • Transfer prize winner Prof Dr Andreas Taubert (centre) with Sascha Thormann from Potsdam Transfer (left) and Dr Andreas Bohlen and Wolfgang Hadlich from UP Transfer GmbH (right).
  • This year's 'Guido-Reger-Gründungspreis' went to the international start-up ‘CanChip’, founded by molecular biologist Ghazaleh Madanie.
  • 'Guido-Reger-Gründungspreis' winner Ghazaleh Madanie with the Managing Director of Potsdam Transfer Sascha Thormann (right) and Johannes Zier (left) from Startup Service.
  • Linda Bienert does outstanding work as Coordinator for Application and Student Affairs, for which she is honoured by Chancellor Hendrik Woithe.
  • Dr Birgit Kletzin from the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences is honoured by Chancellor Hendrik Woithe as an outstanding employee of the university administration.
  • The Voltaire Prize for Tolerance, International Understanding and Respect for Difference.
  • Voltaire Prize winner Prof. Dr Rosario Figari Layús (centre) with her guests and colleagues.
  • Dr Barbara Obst-Hantel, Chair of the Board of the Universitätsgesellschaft Potsdam e.V., invites guests to the reception.
  • Press officer Dr Silke Engel in conversation with AStA officer Danylo Poliluev-Schmidt.
  • The Potsdam instrumentalists provided atmospheric music at the New Year's reception.
  • Guests in conversation at the reception that followed the ceremony.
  • Lively exchange at the New Year's reception.