Dec 17, 2024
Christmas greetings from the Dean
Ladies and gentlemen, friends and supporters of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering, dear members of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering!
The year is drawing to a close and it has been another special year in many respects. Each and every one of us will have their own view of it, their own story.
As the year draws to a close, allow me to draw your attention to what I consider to be a significant anniversary this year: 300 years of Kant, a philosopher or perhaps the philosopher of the Enlightenment. Are you still looking for a Christmas present? "Sapere aude!: Why we need a new Enlightenment." - a book by Heiner Geißler.
Critical thinking, taking responsibility, acting - not waiting and reasoning are needed today more than ever.
Kant regarded reason as an instrument that helps us to order the world. If we try to use reason to deal with crises or, as we engineers say, problems, we will find solutions. Confidence that we will succeed in finding a solution is important. Confidence is based on trust in what we have achieved so far. What has been achieved is what counts, not what has been told is enough - that is the big difference - often compared to current politics!
Confidence should also guide us in the new year. If we trust in our strengths, our relationships with each other, if we look after ourselves and each other, then we will achieve a great deal.
The Christmas message of hope, peace and redemption for humanity is an important message regardless of religion. I wish you - regardless of which religion you belong to or whether you have no religious affiliation - I wish us all that this message will be fulfilled, that the weapons in the Middle East, in Ukraine and in all the other hotspot regions of our world will be laid to rest and that politicians will find peaceful solutions. It is time to remember the words of those who have experienced wars and whose "Never again" therefore sounds authentic: "I always thought that everyone was against war, until I found out that there are some who are for it. Especially those who don't have to go in." (Erich Maria Remarque, German writer, 1898 - 1970).
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering with their energy, time and dedication this year. We wish you all a Merry Christmas, peaceful and relaxing days and a good start to a peaceful, successful and happy 2025.
Stay with us, stay connected and stay connected with each other.
© Tobias Ritz
Dean
NameProf. Dr.-Ing. Michael Beckmann
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Besucheradresse:
Zeuner-Bau, Raum 254 George-Bähr-Strasse 3c
01069 Dresden
Deutschland