![[Translate to Englisch:] Theda Borde (Mitte) mit den Prorektorinnen Anja Voss und Gesine Bär](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/d/csm_20230615_Abschied_Theda_Borde_82371aa258.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:]")
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, ASH Berlin said goodbye to its long-time companion Prof. Dr. Theda Borde. She had been a professor for sociomedical and medical sociological foundations of social work and clinical social work at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences since 2004. She researched and taught mainly on the topics of migration and health, gender and health, maternal health, interprofessional cooperation in health care, and health promotion.
As rector of ASH Berlin from 2010 to 2014, she was particularly committed to opening the university to so-called "non-traditional students," strengthening the research contribution of universities of applied sciences, inter-university cooperation in the Berlin School of Public Health, and workplace health promotion.
Inspiring, visionary, an engine for change
Today's ceremony was opened by ASH Rector Prof. Dr. Bettina Völter. In her speech, she paid tribute to Theda Borde as a "creative visionary and fighter, who is radiant and formative and has had a lasting impact on the profile of the university." The celebration was framed by Prof. Elke Kraus on the piano - with songs by the Rolling Stones, Dean Martin and Joan Baez.
Colleagues and other companions bid farewell to Theda Borde with pictures from their times together, appreciative videos and numerous emotional speeches. "Inspiring character," "visionary ideas," "an engine for change," "courage and vision," "high standards" were just a few of the heartfelt attributions from the college. Also underscored were her student-centered nature and her strong support for others' ideas.
Prof. Hürrem Tezcan-Güntekin spoke from the heart of many of those present, "I don't accept this farewell."
Theda Borde: "I am very touched by all the words and I am especially happy about the very early companions who were already here when I arrived at ASH Berlin. [...] Many here have not remained colleagues, but have become friends." What will she miss most? "The contact with the young people - but here, too, we will certainly find formats," says Borde.
More about the person
After graduating with a degree in political science from Freie Universität Berlin, Theda Borde ran an international education and counseling center for immigrant women from 1985 to 1996. From 1993 to 1996 she studied health sciences part-time at the Free University of Berlin and graduated with a Master of Public Health. A PhD in Public Health/Health Sciences followed in 2002 at the Technical University of Berlin. From 1996 to 2004, she worked as a research associate in various health science projects related to migration at the Charité Berlin and was co-founder of the cross-institutional Berlin research group "Migration and Health", which still exists today.
In 2022, Prof. Theda Borde was honored as one of the scientists "who have significantly shaped or are still shaping teaching, research and our city" as part of the exhibition "Capital of Women Scientists."
