Opening doors, shaping the future: Dr. Roy Kühne takes over chair of the IB Hochschule Board of Trustees

Opening doors, shaping the future: Dr. Roy Kühne takes over the chair of the Board of Trustees of IB Hochschule

With the upcoming start of the summer semester in the new building of IB Hochschule für Gesundheit und Soziales, a new chapter begins that can be understood as both a spatial and a substantive new beginning. This phase of renewal also includes a new chair of the Board of Trustees: Dr. Roy Kühne, an experienced health politician, now takes on this central role.

As a former member of the German Bundestag and a recognised expert in physiotherapy and medical aids provision, Dr. Kühne brings exactly the kind of professional perspective that is decisive for modern, practice-oriented university development. In an interview he talks about his goals, priorities and how the Board of Trustees can accompany and strengthen the university in the future.

Opening thanks and outlook

"First of all, I would like to expressly thank the previous Board of Trustees under the leadership of Dr. Bergmann-Pohl for its committed and reliable work – especially in times that posed particular challenges for universities and social educational institutions. On this basis we can now continue to work and set new impulses.

I am very much looking forward to working with the President, Prof. Hartinger, and the entire team of IB Hochschule. Together we want to develop the university strategically and further strengthen its place in everyday academic life."

Which aspects of the university's profile would you particularly like to strengthen, and what impulses do you see from the Board of Trustees?

"IB Hochschule has a clear profile in the health and social sciences – particularly in training therapeutic professions. I want to develop this profile further and anchor it even more clearly in everyday academic life. The university should be visible as a scientifically grounded, practice-oriented and socially relevant place of education.

The newly composed Board of Trustees, which again includes proven experts from politics and business, can provide important impulses for this. This diversity of experience allows us to recognise trends early, reflect societal needs and specifically support the university's strategic development."

Where do you see opportunities for innovative developments in teaching and research, and how can the Board of Trustees support such processes?

"I see great opportunities in the further development of digitally supported teaching formats, in interprofessional training models and in practice-oriented research on current societal challenges – such as mental health, demographic change or care innovation.

The Board of Trustees can support these innovation processes by opening networks, brokering cooperation with partners from practice, politics and business, and accompanying strategic decisions with its expertise. In this way we create an environment in which new ideas can emerge and high-quality research can grow."

How would you like to further develop the university's external presentation and public perception?

"IB Hochschule should become even more visible in the future – regionally, nationally and within the professional public. We want to communicate more clearly the high quality of our degree programmes, the relevance of our research and the commitment of our teachers. Targeted public relations work and a more modern digital presence will help position the university as an important partner in health and social services.

What is essential to me is to show more clearly what contribution we make to securing skilled workers and to the further development of therapeutic and social professions. Together with the new Board of Trustees, we will consistently develop the public perception of the university further."

Many thanks for this interview!

The interview with Dr. Roy Kühne impressively shows how closely political shaping power, scientific development and social responsibility are connected. His long-standing engagement in physiotherapy and medical aids and his Bundestag experience generate important impulses for future projects in teaching, research and transfer.

With the start of the summer semester 2026 in the new building (Building 2) on the Health Campus at ukb, this new beginning becomes visible. The doors stand symbolically open for new paths, perspectives and partnerships.

Together with Dr. Kühne and the newly composed Board of Trustees, the university looks confidently into a future in which innovation, quality of care and the further development of therapeutic professions play a central role.