"Thank you for your trust in me"

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Alexis Papathanassis will continue to set the course for Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences for another five years as rector: the members of the Academic Senate confirmed him in office with an absolute majority at their meeting on 21 October 2025. Papathanassis, who accepted the election, will begin his second term in February 2026, which will last until 2031. A total of twelve candidates ran for the highest office at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences; four, including the incumbent, presented their goals and strategies for the next five years to the university community. The 50-year-old scientist thanked the senators: "The Academic Senate, as the representative of our university community, has confirmed my team and me for another term of office. In doing so, it supports our strategic direction for the coming years and trusts that we will implement it. This support lays the foundation for the work of any leadership. I see it as my duty to live up to the trust placed in me and will do my utmost to do so. Over the next five years, we will continue to modernise our range of courses and further improve our internal processes. In addition, we will intensify our internationalisation efforts, make our research activities accessible to a wider public and increase the attractiveness of our campus."
Above all, Papathanassis and his vice-principals will ensure that Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences retains its authenticity, its short distances and its family atmosphere. ‘All of this sets it apart and has shaped its reputation as the “university by the sea”.’ 

Student numbers successfully increased – bucking the nationwide trend

On the occasion of his re-election, the rector explained that Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences had demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity during the pandemic, which it had successfully overcome, and had managed to buck the demographic trend and decline in student numbers at German universities. "Despite the financial constraints of the state of Bremen and the locational disadvantages of the city of Bremerhaven, we have modernised a significant part of our range of courses and launched new, innovative degree programmes that meet regional needs. This is the success of our university community and the result of the commitment, hard work and dedication of its members. During my term of office, I had the privilege and responsibility of serving our university together with my rectorate team, and I am very grateful for this honour." 

Together with the repositioning of its marketing and the optimisation of internal administrative processes, Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences has a solid foundation on which to continue its positive development and effectively meet the challenges of its rapidly changing environment in the coming years. ‘Personally and on behalf of my rectorate, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to all my colleagues and sincerely thank all our partners and friends who have supported us over the years,’ said Papathanassis. 

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Alexis Papathanassis (*30 March 1975) has been Rector of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences since February 2021. After his appointment in 2005 as Professor of Business Administration, Business Informatics, Tourism/Maritime Tourism, he was intensively involved in the further development of the Cruise Tourism Management degree programme and took over the position of Dean of Studies in April 2009. From 2014, he was Dean of the Management and Information Systems Department before being elected Rector in 2021. His second term of office will begin in February 2026.