A change in leadership will take place at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences (EH) in Freiburg at the end of 2026. On November 5, 2026, this transition was marked by a ceremony at the Forum Merzhausen in Freiburg, which also marked the opening of the new academic year. After two terms in office, Rector Prof. Dr. Renate Kirchhoff retired from active university service effective December 31, 2026, and Mike Höfer was inaugurated as the new rector effective January 1, 2027.

Dr. Gregor Walter-Drop participated in a panel discussion on behalf of the Rhineland-Palatinate Peace Academy as part of the ceremony, which addressed the relevance of social universities to the church, academia, and society, using the example of the EH Freiburg. In his remarks, he emphasized three aspects in particular: (1) the vital role of peace education against the backdrop of current challenges in politics and society, (2) the long tradition and societal role of peace engagement within the church, and (3) against this backdrop, the high adaptability and great significance of the “Peace Education” master’s degree program— unique in Germany — (LINK), which the EH Freiburg has been offering at the Freiburg Peace Institute since 2022.

A change in leadership will take place at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences (EH) in Freiburg at the end of 2026. On November 5, 2026, this transition was marked by a ceremony at the Forum Merzhausen in Freiburg, which also marked the opening of the new academic year. After two terms in office, Rector Prof. Dr. Renate Kirchhoff retired from active university service effective December 31, 2026, and Mike Höfer was inaugurated as the new rector effective January 1, 2027.

Dr. Gregor Walter-Drop participated in a panel discussion on behalf of the Rhineland-Palatinate Peace Academy as part of the ceremony, which addressed the relevance of social universities to the church, academia, and society, using the example of the EH Freiburg. In his remarks, he emphasized three aspects in particular: (1) the vital role of peace education against the backdrop of current challenges in politics and society, (2) the long tradition and societal role of peace engagement within the church, and (3) against this backdrop, the high adaptability and great significance of the “Peace Education” master’s degree program— unique in Germany — (LINK), which the EH Freiburg has been offering at the Freiburg Peace Institute since 2022.