8 July 2025

After more than two decades of dedicated work as Professor of Special Needs Education, Prof. Dr Armin Sohns was officially bid farewell on 7 July at a festive event in the Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences Audimax. With greetings, a laudatory speech, a lecture and many personal encounters, companions, students and colleagues honoured the extraordinary achievements of the renowned scientist and university lecturer.

Prof Sohns has been a professor at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences since 2004 and has played a key role in shaping the academic landscape for many years. His particular achievements include the conception and management of the Master's degree course in "Transdisciplinary Early Intervention" and the establishment of the "Early Childhood" competence centre, which he has headed since 2019. He had previously worked as a professor at Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences and contributed his expertise nationwide as a visiting professor in Hamburg, Berlin and Gera, among other places.

During his academic career, Prof Sohns combined theory and practice in an exemplary manner. Interdisciplinary early intervention and inclusive educational approaches were particularly close to his heart - topics that he not only promoted through research, but also through his commitment to higher education policy. As co-founder of the Institute for Social Medicine, Rehabilitation Sciences and Health Care Research (ISRV) at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, he provided important impetus for practice-oriented and socially responsible university research.

The President of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, Prof Dr Jörg Wagner, paid tribute to Prof Sohns in his welcoming address with the words:

"In Professor Sohns, we are bidding farewell to an exceptional colleague who impressed us not only with his academic excellence, but also with his humanity, foresight and lasting commitment to education and participation. His work will resonate for many years to come - at the university, in the region and in the minds of his students."

In his farewell speech, Prof Sohns was touched by the appreciation and at the same time looked to the future with optimism:

"Working with and for young people has always been close to my heart. I am grateful for the many inspiring encounters at this university. I leave with the good feeling that what I have stood for will be carried on here."