Bavarian Minister of Science, Bernd Sibler, bestowed the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Gerhard Bringmann. The occasion is his decades of commitment to research and teaching and the academic self-administration of the University of Würzburg as well as his dedication to the further development of the educational system and, above all, to the reconstruction of higher education in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Minister of State, Sibler, paid tribute to Bringmann’s great academic commitment and thanked the holder of the Order: | “Professor Bringmann has earned merits in the service of science not only in Würzburg but also in Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular, he is actively committed to promoting science and research, education and vocational training as well as international awareness, tolerance, international understanding and development cooperation. I am therefore very pleased to present Professor Bringmann with the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, which was awarded to him by the Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in recognition of his special services. “ |