The chairwoman of the election committee, Barbara Loos, congratulated the re-elected President and, once the proceedings were concluded, praised the orderly conduct of the election: “The collaboration within the election committee took place in a very constructive atmosphere. The electors have carried out their duties with great care. In recent years, President Gabriele Gien has provided important impetus for the development of the KU and has led the University with prudence and strategic vision in a challenging environment. Maintaining continuity in leadership is of great importance to the University and its future development.” Barbara Loos, who also serves as Chairwoman of the University Council, oversaw the presidential election at the KU for the third time, following those held in 2016 and 2021. In the vote held at noon, Gabriele Gien received 24 votes in favor and one vote against. Three members of the election committee were unable to attend the in-person election due to scheduling conflicts.
Gabriele Gien re-elected as KU President for a third term
![[Translate to English:] Präsidentenwahl 2026](/fileadmin/_processed_/e/3/csm_Praesidentenwahl_2026_Christian_Klenk_01_c742f2778c.webp)
Markus Blume, Bavarian Minister of State for Science and the Arts, conveyed the state government’s congratulations: “Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien on another term of office! To me, it's clear: She is exactly the right President for our gem of a University in the heart of Bavaria – the 2024 University Manager of the Year will lead Germany’s most popular university in 2026. These accolades speak volumes. She steers the KU from one success to the next in an authentic and team-oriented manner. Membership in the German Research Foundation (DFG), great successes in acquiring third-party funding, an outstanding staff-to-student ratio and ideal study conditions: President Gien knows what is important when leading a University. Her commitment to the future of the KU is simply fantastic. I'm looking forward to continued good collaboration!”
Speaking on behalf of the Bavarian bishops, Munich Archbishop Reinhard Cardinal Marx, who serves as Magnus Cancellarius (Grand Chancellor) of the KU, said: “On a personal behalf and on behalf of the Freising Bishops’ Conference, I would like to congratulate Professor Gien on her re-election as president of the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.” In recent years, she has provided important impetus for the University's further development. Not only do we, as the University’s supporting institution, recognize and appreciate this, but broader society also acknowledges the achievements and significance of the KU. This is evident, among other things, in the fact that Professor Gien was honored with the 2024 University Manager of the Year Award. "I look forward to continuing to work with Professor Gien and wish her all the best and God’s blessings as she continues her work."
The Foundation Council also believes that this re-election sends an important signal for the University’s future development. Its chairman, Horst Seehofer, emphasized: “With the re-election of Professor Gien, the Catholic University is placing its trust in experience, reliability, and strategic leadership.” In recent years, she has made significant strides in advancing the KU in the areas of research, teaching, and brand development. I would also like to thank her personally for that. Especially at a time when the focus is on securing favorable long-term conditions for the University, it sends an important signal that such an experienced and highly respected figure is at the helm of the KU."
On behalf of the Diocese of Eichstätt, Diocesan Administrator and Provost Alfred Rottler offered his congratulations on the re-election: “I would like to thank you for your dedicated and successful leadership of the KU over the past few years. Under your presidency, the University has made significant progress and has clearly strengthened its profile as a Catholic University. Your work is characterized by a strong sense of responsibility, a willingness to engage in dialog, and a keen understanding of the people at the University. The high level of recognition the KU has received during this time is a testament to the quality and reliability of your leadership. For that, you deserve our deepest gratitude and respect."
The re-elected President herself thanked the electoral committee and the University community for their trust and turned her attention to the tasks ahead in the coming years: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the electoral committee for their great trust. This vote of confidence means a great deal to me –as does the trust I have been fortunate enough to experience over the past few years through our collaboration at this University: within the University Management and Presidium, the various committees, the faculties, the administration, and, not least, from our dedicated students. Together, we have achieved a great deal. Now it’s time to look ahead. "My primary goal for the coming term is to bring the ongoing negotiations with the church sponsor and the Free State of Bavaria regarding the University’s funding after 2028 to a successful conclusion, in order to lay a solid foundation for the continued success of our University."
Presidential elections are held at the KU every five years, as scheduled. The governing foundation's election bylaws set forth the procedure. The 28-member committee is made up of the eight internal and eight external University councils, a further eight representatives appointed by the Senate from its ranks, and four representatives delegated by the Foundation Council. In this way, all groups of the University – professors, academic staff, research support staff and students – are involved in the election process. At the same time, the three central University bodies – the Foundation Council, the University Council, and the Senate – share responsibility for this important decision.
Today's election was preceded by a multi-step process. After the job posting, the applications received were reviewed for formal eligibility. This step was followed by a hearing before the members of the election committee and a list of candidates was drawn up. The application of the only remaining candidate was then sent to the Holy See in Rome. This is a special feature at the KU: Before the election, the Vatican issues the so-called “Nihil obstat”, that is, the Church’s declaration of no objection.
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien has been the President of KU since 2014. She had initially been appointed acting president by the University's governing body after the previous president resigned at short notice. She was re-elected in 2016 and 2021. With her re-election today, she is beginning her third term in office. The German studies scientist was born in Munich on January 11, 1962; she is married and the mother of two children. After her studies, she first started out as a school teacher. This was followed by academic positions in Augsburg and Freiburg, before she was appointed to the Chair of German Didactics at the KU in 2009. Shortly thereafter, she became vice president for academic affairs. In 2013 and 2014, she served as chair of the KU Senate.
During her presidency to date, the KU has undergone a comprehensive re-branding process. The University’s visibility and positioning as a research-intensive academic institution were strengthened, as was its excellence in teaching. The “KU 2030” University Development Plan has significantly sharpened the University’s strategic focus on becoming a “committed University.” A focused research strategy, the establishment of structures to support research, and a targeted hiring policy led to a steady increase in third-party funded research and to successes in major funding programs during Gien’s tenure. In 2023, the KU became the first non-state university to be admitted to the German Research Foundation.
In the area of teaching as well, KU has consistently expanded its high standards of quality and excellent support services for students. It has been named Germany's most popular university four times by the online portal StudyCheck. By combining academic education, social engagement, and personal development, the KU has set itself apart. In 2024, the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE) and the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit” named Gabriele Gien “Higher Education Manager of the Year” among German university presidents and rectors.
