Dr. Thomas Metten is set to assume leadership of the Communication and Marketing department at the University of Passau, effective May 1, 2026. This appointment marks a significant development in the university’s efforts to strengthen its external and internal communications strategy. The role positions Dr. Metten as the central point of contact for all public relations, media outreach, and institutional messaging activities at the university.
The University of Passau’s Communication and Marketing department serves as the primary interface between the institution and the public, responsible for presenting the university’s academic and research achievements to wider audiences. According to the department’s official description, it actively seeks updates on research results, awards, study programs, and other newsworthy developments from faculty and staff to share through official university channels.
Dr. Metten brings relevant experience to this role, having been involved in the “Mensch in Bewegung” (Human in Motion) project, a collaborative initiative between the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) and the Technical University of Ingolstadt. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the State of Bavaria under the “Innovative Hochschule” program, the project received approximately 10 million euros over five years (2023–2027) to develop solutions for knowledge-based regional development. As part of this initiative, Dr. Metten has contributed to efforts aimed at strengthening collaboration between science, and society.
His prior engagement with the KU’s Stabsabteilung Kommunikation & Marketing (Staff Unit for Communication and Marketing) further underscores his familiarity with university-level communication structures. That unit functions as the liaison between the university and the public, handling inquiries related to both internal and external communication — a responsibility directly aligned with the duties of the Communication and Marketing department at the University of Passau.
The University of Passau’s department utilizes multiple platforms to disseminate information, including the weekly “Termine und Personen” newsletter, the university event calendar, the Campus-Passau magazine, and regular updates on the university website and blog. Every Wednesday at 6 p.m., the university publishes a weekly update — available in German via Stud.IP for students and by email for employees, with an English version too provided for students. These updates are additionally distributed through the university’s web-based notification system.
For media inquiries, the department directs journalists to the Media Relations unit (Referat für Medienarbeit), ensuring centralized handling of press requests. When promoting research projects or events, the department requires a concise summary (maximum one DIN-A4 page), and for events, an additional program overview. Submitted materials must include suitable visual content — such as photos of speakers or projects — that meet internet and print quality standards.
This appointment reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its public presence and ensuring that its academic contributions are effectively communicated to stakeholders, including prospective students, partners, journalists, and the broader community. By placing an experienced academic and project coordinator at the helm of its communication efforts, the University of Passau aims to improve the clarity, reach, and impact of its institutional messaging.
As of now, no further official announcements regarding Dr. Metten’s specific priorities or planned initiatives in the role have been published by the University of Passau. Updates on his leadership and any strategic developments within the Communication and Marketing department are expected to be shared through the university’s official communication channels, including its website and weekly updates.
For more information about the University of Passau’s Communication and Marketing department, including submission guidelines for press releases and media engagement procedures, visit the department’s official webpage.
We welcome your thoughts on this appointment. What role do you think effective university communication plays in shaping public understanding of academic research? Share your perspective in the comments below and support foster a meaningful discussion.