University of Bayreuth, Press Release No. 009/2025 - 30 January 2025

Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible Re-elected as President of the University of Bayreuth

Today, the Senate and University Council of the University of Bayreuth confirmed Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible for his third term as President of the University. The re-election underscores the trust in his successful work and his strategic vision for the future of the University.

From left: Prof. Dr. Volker Ulm, Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, re-elected President, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dr. phil. Dr. h.c. Sabine Kunst, Chairwoman of the University Council of the University of Bayreuth after the election.

UBT/Kolb

Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible has been at the helm of the University of Bayreuth since 2013. During his tenure, he has driven the development of the university into an internationally recognized institution, focusing on excellence in research and teaching as well as on innovative structures and collaborations.

Following his re-election, Prof. Leible expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him: “I look forward to continuing to accompany the University of Bayreuth along its successful path together with the University Governing Board, Senate, and University Council. Together, we will make the university future-proof even in an increasingly challenging environment. In turbulent times like these, universities are not just places of knowledge transfer, but primarily places of knowledge generation and free discourse. Artificial Intelligence is playing an increasingly significant role – both in research and in shaping our society. As a university, we must actively shape this change and seize the opportunities of AI to explore new horizons and take responsibility. We are not facing easy times: Budget constraints and demographic changes will be challenges that we must and will tackle together.”

His dedication makes him the ideal candidate for the future.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dr. phil. Dr. h.c. Sabine Kunst, Chairperson of the University Council of the University of Bayreuth

Chairperson of the University Council of the University of Bayreuth, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dr. phil. Dr. h.c. Sabine Kunst, emphasized the merits of Prof. Leible: “Under the leadership of Prof. Leible, the University of Bayreuth has achieved an excellent position. His vision for future topics and his strong international orientation are a guarantee for the University's excellent development. His dedication also makes him the ideal candidate for the future.”

The University of Bayreuth is among the research-intensive universities in Germany and is known for its interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative study programmes. With the re-election of Prof. Leible, the university has set a clear signal for continuity and progress.

About Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible:

Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible was born in 1963 in Bad Schwartau. After studying law at the University of Bayreuth, he completed his doctorate in 1995 and his Habilitation in civil law in 2001. From 2001 to 2006, he held the Chair of Civil Law, Civil Procedure Law, International Private Law, and Comparative Law at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and from March 2006 he held the Chair of Civil Law, Private International Law and Comparative Law at the University of Bayreuth. In 2010, he was appointed Vice President for International Relations and Outreach at the University of Bayreuth. In 2013, Prof. Dr. Leible was elected President of the University of Bayreuth. His research focuses are in the areas of European Private Law, International Trade Law, and Comparative Law. Since 2023, he has been the chair of the Bavarian State Rectors' Conference "Universität Bayern e.V." He is also a member of numerous national and international academic bodies and networks, including the German Society for International Law, the International Association of Legal Science, and the European Law Institute, and member of the Board of Directors of the Bavarian University Center for Latin America (BayLAT). In addition, he is active in the University Rectors' Conference and is a member of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).

Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible Re-elected as President of the University of Bayreuth

Anja-Maria MeisterPressesprecherin der Universität Bayreuth

Anja-Maria Meister
Pressesprecherin der Universität Bayreuth