The Leibniz-HKI mourns the loss of its long-time supporter Johann Komusiewicz
It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Dr. Johann Komusiewicz, who had a decisive influence on the development of the Leibniz-HKI in various roles over more than three decades. He passed away on January 14, 2025 at the age of 79.
Johann Komusiewicz began his academic career in the mid-1960s by studying mathematics at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, where he obtained his doctorate in 1972. He remained associated with the university as a lecturer in numerical mathematics until German reunification and then moved to the newly founded Thuringian Ministry of Science and Culture. There he was initially Head of Division and until 2005 Head of Department. In these functions, he represented the state of Thuringia as Executive Director and later as Head of the Board of Trustees of the Leibniz-HKI. Until his retirement in 2009, he was State Secretary in the Ministry of Science of the State of Brandenburg. Johann Komusiewicz rendered outstanding services to the Leibniz-HKI as a member of the Leibniz-HKI e. V., of which he had been a member since its foundation.
Johann Komusiewicz was a tireless networker who, due to his involvement in numerous committees and working groups, including the German Research Foundation, the German Council of Science and Humanities and the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, made important contributions to the development of an efficient research landscape in eastern Germany. This particularly benefited the research location of Jena with the Friedrich Schiller University and the Beutenberg Campus as the largest research center in Thuringia.
His commitment to science policy made a significant contribution to the development of the Leibniz-HKI’s research foci, which are the basis for the high reputation and continuing success of the Leibniz-HKI in application-oriented basic research. Through his work, Johann Komusiewicz has deeply influenced the scientific community in Jena and beyond. He will be remembered as a brilliant analyst, committed fellow human being and inspiring colleague. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.