Yesterday (23 June 26), the former Rector of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Prof. Dr Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, received the Free State of Saxony’s highest honour. Saxony’s Minister-President, Michael Kretschmar, awarded Barbknecht the Saxon Order of Merit for his “work at the interface between science, business and politics”, according to a statement from the Saxon State Chancellery.
Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, as “long-standing rector of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and chair of the State Rectors’ Conference, played a key role in shaping the local higher education landscape”, the statement continues. Particular mention should also be made of his commitment to attracting international specialists, which extends far beyond the state’s borders, notably through the opening of liaison offices in Uzbekistan and Mongolia.”
The Rector of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Prof. Dr Jutta Emes, congratulated her predecessor on the honour: “We have come to know Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht as a bridge-builder between higher education institutions, politics, business and societal stakeholders. I am delighted that his commitment is now being honoured with the Saxon Order of Merit.”
The Order of Merit has been awarded since 1997 as a token of grateful recognition for outstanding services to the Free State of Saxony and its people. With this, the Free State’s highest state honour, Saxony honours women and men who have shown outstanding commitment in the political, economic, cultural, social or voluntary sectors.
