Ulm University Honours 20 Years of Commitment by Honorary Professors Brigitte Zürn and Jens Poll
Academic Ceremony Celebrates Two Distinguished Contributors to Teaching and Professional Practice
The Faculty of Mathematics and Economics at Ulm University has celebrated the 20th anniversary of the honorary professorships of Professor Brigitte Zürn and Professor Jens Poll with a formal academic ceremony. The event was jointly organised by the Institute of Accounting and Auditing, the Institute of Business and Tax Law and Digitalisation of Law, and the Ulmer Forum für Wirtschaftswissenschaften.
Numerous guests from academia, business, legal practice and the University community gathered to recognise the long-standing contributions of the two honorary professors. For two decades, Professor Brigitte Zürn and Professor Jens Poll have enriched teaching at Ulm University through their professional expertise and extensive practical experience. Their commitment has played a significant role in strengthening the exchange between academia and professional practice and in providing students with a practice-oriented and forward-looking education.
The ceremony was opened and chaired by Professor Kai-Uwe Marten, Director of the Institute of Accounting and Auditing at Ulm University. In his welcoming address, Professor Robert Stelzer, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Economics, highlighted the lasting contributions made by the two honorary professors to the development of the Faculty and acknowledged their many years of dedication to academic teaching.
A central element of the event was the series of laudatory speeches delivered by Professor Heribert Anzinger and Professor Kai-Uwe Marten. They reflected on the professional and academic achievements of Professor Brigitte Zürn and Professor Jens Poll and emphasised their outstanding contribution to strengthening the connection between academic research and professional practice.
A particular highlight of the programme was the session entitled “Changing Perspectives: Reflections on the Discipline from Academia and Practice”, during which the two honorary professors shared their own insights. Professor Brigitte Zürn, Certified Public Auditor and Tax Adviser, and Professor Jens Poll, Attorney-at-Law, Certified Public Auditor and Tax Adviser, reflected on developments within their field and discussed the importance of maintaining a close dialogue between universities and professional practice.
The academic highlight of the event was the keynote lecture delivered by Professor Matthias Schüppen, Attorney-at-Law, Certified Public Auditor and Tax Adviser, partner at Graf Kanitz Schüppen und Partner, Stuttgart, and Honorary Professor at the University of Hohenheim. In his presentation, entitled “The Withdrawal of the Auditor’s Opinion”, he examined current issues at the intersection of auditing, law and corporate practice. The lecture was followed by a lively discussion, providing participants with an opportunity for further professional exchange.
Through this ceremony, Ulm University not only honoured the achievements of two distinguished individuals but also reaffirmed the importance of close collaboration between academia and practice. The event provided a fitting occasion to reflect on two decades of successful cooperation while also looking ahead to future developments in research, teaching and academic exchange.
