Change of Rectorate: Constanze Janda makes history at DUV Speyer!

Change of Rectorate: Constanze Janda makes history at DUV Speyer!

Yesterday there was a significant change in the rectorate of the German University of Administrative Sciences (DUV) in Speyer. Constanze Janda, a respected legal scholar, was introduced as Holger Mühlenkamp's successor. Mühlenkamp has been in charge of the university for the past eight years and ceremoniously handed over the chain of office, on which the coats of arms of all 16 federal states are engraved. This handover is not only a symbolic act, but also a sign of the close connection between the federal states and the federal government as the sponsor of this university Rhine Palatinate reported.

Fedor Rose, the head of the State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate, insisted on assuring the new rector of the support of the state government. He described the DUV's profile as a "treasure for the entire Federal Republic", which underlines the university's central role in the German landscape.

A look at Constanze Janda

Constanze Janda, born in Dessau in 1976, is an experienced university lecturer who, after studying law at the University of Jena and later gaining qualifications, gained extensive knowledge in the areas of social law and administrative sciences. Since then, she has established herself as an expert and has been teaching at the DUV since 2016. At 49, she is also the first woman to head the university, which was founded in 1947.

Her academic career is impressive: after receiving her doctorate in 2002, she held several positions at various universities, including the SRH University of Heidelberg. Janda's research areas include integrative topics such as German, European and international social security law as well as various areas of labor law, demonstrating her extensive expertise.

Women in university management

Janda's appointment reflects a significant trend in the German university landscape. The Deutschlandfunk reports that 41% of universities are now led by women. This shows that there are more and more women in leadership positions in science, which not only provides inspiration for the next generation, but can also provide a breath of fresh air in universities.

Janda's takeover is not only a personal triumph, but also a sign of the progressive change in higher education in Germany. The fact that she can now contribute her knowledge and expertise to the management of such an important institution is a reason for many in science to be happy.