"The University of Bern is moving briskly ahead"

At the 183rd Dies academicus of the University of Bern, the rector Christian Leumann broached the issue of the freedom of teaching and research, and took stock of the first "half-time" in the university's strategy. The President of the Executive Council of Bern, Bernhard Pulver, emphasised the significance of general political conditions for the success of the university - and looked back on 12 years as Director of Education. Zoë Lehmann Imfeld spoke for the Mittelbauvereinigung MVUB (Intermediate Staff Association of the University of Bern) and about Aristotle as a role model. Nine people were awarded an honorary doctorate and eleven researchers were given academic awards. "The success of the University of Bern lies in the freedom of research and teaching, as well in its autonomy", said rector Christian Leumann in his address of welcome. However, research freedom is sometimes called into question, and regular attempts were made to have stricter control over it - whether by questioning scientific findings or with regard to the controversial handling of ethical issues on research and technological progress. Leumann argued that scientific processes should take place with higher transparency but without restrictions for universities, without being negotiated in a "pseudo scientific" dark elsewhere: "Because the variety and creativity of solutions to problems only occur if there is freedom of methodical approach". Internationalisation and interdisciplinarity