LMU Presidency: Excellence with Attitude – Science for Progress and Responsibility

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Our mission is to create knowledge – and assume responsibility.

Professor Matthias Tschöp has taken office as President of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and, in his inaugural address, outlined the course for the coming years: Academic excellence, lived responsibility, and a culture of open discourse will shape LMU even more strongly. "Our mission is to create knowledge – and assume responsibility," said Tschöp.

Tschöp cited Max von Pettenkofer as his guiding principle: “The progress of science is the progress of humanity.” He accepted the office “with great gratitude, much energy and humility.”

The LMU should not only research, teach, and learn, but be a place “where social responibility is defined and lived – by all members of the university.”

Four strategic guiding principles for LMU

Leveraging diversity:
As a comprehensive university, LMU draws strength from the plurality of people, disciplines, and ways of thinking. Diversity is actively understood as a source of new perspectives and creative solutions.

Rethinking research and teaching:
Especially in the age of AI, it is important that students not only acquire knowledge, but also learn how new knowledge is created.

Center of discourse:
In times of growing polarization, LMU will strengthen spaces for respectful exchange – listening, debate, and shared solutions as its hallmarks.

Active interdisciplinarity and responsible transfer:
From AI and philosophy to health research and robotics to climate and economics – interdisciplinary connections should generate reliable insights and new approaches. Academic freedom, world-class research, and the transfer to startups, education, politics, and new questions belong together.

Leadership culture, integrity and code of conduct

The Executive Board aims to operate "at the heart of the matter," engaging in transparent dialogue and on equal terms with faculties, students, staff, and committees. At the same time, in accordance with a binding Code of Conduct, zero tolerance applies to discrimination and abuse of power. Integrity is "not a footnote," but an essential prerequisite for all actions at LMU.

Attitude as a decision

Tschöp cited Sophie Scholl as a leading figure, among others: She showed "that attitude is more than an opinion. It is a decision." The goal is an open, courageous, high-performing, and humane university "that is world-class—and lives global responsibility."

The LMU Munich School of Management warmly welcomes the new President and wishes him all the best in his new role!