Former Zeiss CEO Prof. Michael Kaschke receives honorary citizenship of the city of Jena

At its last meeting on 29.04.2025, the Jena City Council decided to make Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke, Chairman of the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG from 2011-2020, an honorary citizen of the city of Jena.

"During his time as CEO of the Carl Zeiss Group, the decision was made to initiate the construction of the new ZEISS high-tech site in Jena, an investment of several hundred million euros, which will also result in a significant increase in the number of employees. This decision will strengthen the founding location of ZEISS in Jena for the future. This applies to the company itself as well as to the research and university landscape and the business location as such," said Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche and thanked his predecessor Dr. Albrecht Schröter, who had taken the initiative and collected signatures in support of the application.

Michael Kaschke was also the driving force behind the founding of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG in 2002, which has since developed into one of the most successful listed medical technology companies in Germany with its headquarters in Jena.

In addition to his commitment to Jena, Michael Kaschke has taken on numerous other commitments in business and science. For example, he was a long-standing member of the University Council of Friedrich Schiller University Jena and has been President of the Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany since 2022.

"Michael Kaschke's services to Jena go beyond his purely scientific and economic activities and are diverse and lasting. For years, one of his main concerns has been the promotion of young scientists," continued Nitzsche. For example, he is strongly committed to promoting the skills of pupils and students in the STEM field.

The establishment of the German Optical Museum Foundation, whose aim is to further develop the Jena Optical Museum into the German Optical Museum (D.O.M.), is also largely due to his initiative. The renovation and new construction of the museum, which is currently underway, is laying the foundations for strengthening the city's touristic, educational and economic appeal.

Michael Kaschke's attachment to Jena is also evident in other projects, such as his commitment to the restoration of the historic Johannis cemetery, including the grave of Carl Zeiss, and the Jena church building association.

"Through his work, Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke has had a decisive influence on the development of the city and has rendered outstanding services to the well-being of its inhabitants. I am delighted that the city council passed this resolution unanimously," said Nitzsche.

The ceremony for the awarding of honorary citizenship to Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke is to take place in late autumn.