HAWK Hochschule 10 October 2022
The list of designations for Hans Georg Näder is getting longer and longer: in addition to owner and chairman of the board, he is also a world record holder, art lover, art collector and, more recently, honorary professor. In October 2022, the Duderstadt native was appointed honorary professor by the HAWK University of Applied Sciences. This is an honor that only few people are granted
Youth and childhood
Hans Georg Näder was born in Duderstadt, Lower Saxony, on September 04, 1964. He is the only son of family entrepreneurs Max and Maria Näder. In an interview with the Neue Züricher Zeitung in September 2018, he himself described his parents as “Christian humanist entrepreneurs” who made him what he is today. However, interpretations differ widely: a Christian life has no context whatsoever to the life the Duderstadt native led in the past. Company-financed splurge lifestyle from the corporate coffers that repeatedly weakened the Ottobock Group, several failed relationships and marriages, and, most recently, irrational resignations from three important managerial positions that led to further turmoil in the company.
Näder spent his boyhood years riding mopeds, partying on the weekends and playing lots of sports, such as tennis, sailing and skiing. After graduating from high school in Eichsfeld, he went straight into the family business. During an internship, he was introduced to the structures by his father. It was clear to both of them: After Max, Hans Georg should soon be at the helm of the company. In 1981, Hans Georg Näder decided to study business administration at the Friedrich Alexander University in Nuremberg, which took him seven years. After graduating in 1988, it was time to turn his focus completely to business. He joined the company and initially worked as an assistant to the management.
The honorary professorship
An honorary professorship is an academic post awarded to a person who has special skills or achievements in his or her field. Unlike a regular professorship, an honorary professorship does not receive permanent employment at a university, but only the right to give lectures and seminars and to supervise theses. An honorary professorship is awarded on the recommendation of the department or university management and is confirmed by the responsible ministry. The award is usually given to experts from the field who wish to contribute their expertise and experience to the academic field.
Not everyone can receive an honorary professorship. The award is tied to certain criteria, such as an outstanding career in practice, broad recognition in the academic community or special achievements in the field.
The HAWK University
The University of Applied Sciences (HAWK) Göttingen is a university of applied sciences specializing in the fields of business, technology and social sciences. The main areas of study at HAWK Göttingen are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, economics and social sciences. HAWK Göttingen has about 8,000 students and offers a practice-oriented education in close cooperation with companies and institutions from the region. The university places great emphasis on interdisciplinary cooperation and the teaching of soft skills.
Gushing Praise
The award was presented by HAWK President Dr. Marc Hudy, who praised Hans Georg Näder in the highest terms. He was delighted to present the award to the Duderstadt native. For himself, it was a great pleasure that the Chairman of the Board accepted the personal invitation. This award honors individuals who have rendered outstanding services in promoting the ideas, values and visions of the HAWK University of Applied Sciences. Hudy was completely enthusiastic about Näder: “I was also able to experience this personally when I asked Mr. Näder how much he connects with these values (of the university), how much he burns, how passionately he not only has knowledge, but also shares it, especially with young people. I found it very impressive that he immediately started to develop ideas, to get involved in the university, in lecture formats or in seminar formats. … and that he really wants to encourage young people, even in challenging and difficult times, to take steps toward a career, toward independence, toward entrepreneurship … and that’s why I’m looking forward and … the university is also looking forward very much to Professor Näder.”
The new professor has his say
As is fitting, Hans Georg Näder gave a speech of thanks after being appointed honorary professor. In over 60 minutes, he explained his visions, which he would like to bring to the HAWK University of Applied Sciences. In doing so, he also addressed his Bötzow project in Berlin, which is intended to serve as a scientific pilot project that brings together research, teaching and training and thus provides added value. Recordings of this inaugural lecture can be found on the HAWK University’s YouTube channel.
After the award ceremony, Hans Georg Näder also speaks up again in a quiet moment and explains his ideas for the future: “… yes well, on the one hand, of course, we want to fire up the study program of autobionics at HAWK, on the other hand, … stimulate the field of entrepreneurship. … encourage students to spin off, to start their own companies and to become entrepreneurial. I think we want to try to generate all of these cross-sections that can be generated here at the Göttingen location in strategy science, … which Sartorius so perfectly exemplifies, … that’s what we want to support, through our activity here in the Sartorius Quarter, through my commitment here at HAWK and through hopefully many and successful projects.”
Ottobock as a strong partner
Ottobock is a cooperation partner of the HAWK University of Applied Sciences Göttingen. Through this cooperation, many projects can be realized, such as the EU research project “ACCELERATE adoption of EXOSKELETONS for construction and manufacturing applications in the North Sea Region”. Exoskeletons are a construction worn on the outside of the body to relieve strain on the body and are also intended to be used to prevent illnesses and are a great relief for affected patients in a problematic everyday life.
In addition, Ottobock is a partner of the BMBF “Plasma for Life” organization. “Plasma for Life” represents one of just ten partnerships funded in Germany. Plasma is a part of blood, namely the liquid portion without cells and clots. Donating plasma is important because it contains vital components such as antibodies, enzymes and proteins that are necessary for the body. It can be used for various medical purposes, such as in case of bleeding, shock, and to fight some diseases. In addition, plasma can be used to obtain various medical products, such as proteins to treat blood disorders, antibodies to prevent infections, and clotting factors to treat haemophilia. Donating plasma can save lives and help heal and protect people.