The board, which is re-elected every six years, brings together distinguished individuals from science, business, and politics who advise the institute and provide impetus for its further development. A new term of office began at the start of the year. In July, the board members met for the first time as the newly elected board.

At the beginning of the meeting, long-standing members whose terms had come to an end were ceremonially bid farewell. Among them were prominent figures from business and politics, including Prof. Heinrich von Pierer, former CEO of the global company Siemens and Managing Director of Pierer Consultings; Prof. Siegfried Balleis, long-time Mayor of the City of Erlangen; and Dr. Hans Schleicher, former Head of the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs. All three significantly contributed to the development of the institute through their dedicated voluntary service over several terms. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich R. Reinhardt, long-time Chairman of the Board of Medical Valley European Metropolitan Region Nuremberg, former Executive Board Member of Siemens Healthcare, and personal supporting member of MPL, was also honored for his contributions. The voluntary commitment of Prof. Dr. Klaus L. Wübbenhorst, Managing Partner of WB Consult GmbH and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and of the Executive Board of EMN e.V., was also recognized.

Following the election of the new Chairman of the Board, Prof. Dr. Michael Weinhold, Chief Technology Officer of Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Dr. Wolfgang M. Heckel, former Director General of the Deutsches Museum and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, led the meeting. In his report, MPL’s Managing Director, Prof. Florian Marquardt presented recent developments and scientific achievements at the institute. Dr. Christina Beck, Head of the Press and Communications Department at the Max Planck Society, addressed the Society’s role in the context of current geopolitical developments. In his scientific presentation, Dr. Michael Frosz, Head of the Technology Development and Service Unit “Fiber Production & Glass Studio,” provided an overview of the current state of research and technological advances in the field of photonic crystal fibers.

Immediately after the Board of Trustees’ meeting, the first public general meeting of the newly founded support association “Verein der Freunde und Ehemaligen des Max-Planck-Instituts für die Physik des Lichts e. V.” took place. The initiative to establish the association originated within the Board of Trustees. Going forward, the association will provide the institute with both ideological and material support.