Chairs, tables, books... what else did a brand-new university need back in 1948? During the university’s first year, they were still scrounging to furnish and equip the campus in Dahlem. But they already had the most important thing: the drive and willingness to establish a free university in the western half of Berlin: Freie Universität Berlin.
The world has changed a lot since then, and so has Freie Universität Berlin. Seventy-five years – a period that spans over fifteen generations of students, innumerable research projects, young researchers, seasoned professors, famous guests, as well as countless chance encounters on campus, dirt paths, detours, and new beginnings. After all, these are also an important part of the world of science and research – seeing things from other people’s perspective and a thirst for lifelong learning. But some things never change, like our university’s name and purpose: We are Freie Universität Berlin.
We look forward to celebrating Freie Universität’s anniversary with you this year – on campus, in online lectures, at sporting events, and every once in a while, late into the night. The entire university will be participating in the celebration, with a variety of events being held over the course of the year. They will focus on what makes Freie Universität Berlin so special, our university’s contributions to society, and how we want to position ourselves in the world in the years to come.