Our long-standing advisory board member Prof. Dr. Manfred Spreng passed away on March 3, 2026, at the ripe old age of 89.
Herolinda Shkullaku, Managing Director of NG Albania, recalls: "Prof. Spreng was a very special and unforgettable personality for us in Albania. He left a deep mark on our work and in many hearts. He was involved in the first Master of Science program in “Leadership and Assessment in Education” at NG University and enriched the opening event in October/November 2012 with an inspiring lecture. In addition, he helped us greatly in 2013 with his medical advice and commitment when a young patient from Albania was diagnosed with a brain tumor."
“It was a great pleasure for me that we were able to meet and exchange ideas on several occasions in Germany during NG events. I think of Prof. Spreng with great gratitude and warmth as a person who lived his deep faith authentically and always stood by us with his selfless support. His wisdom, warmth, and dedication will continue to be an example to us.”
As a brain researcher and passionate lecturer, he researched and taught until his retirement in 2001 and far beyond. As head of the Institute of Physiology and Biocybernetics at the University of Erlangen/Nuremberg, he focused on sensory and neurophysiology, medical information processing and medical expert systems. He loved teaching and working with students.
The consolidation and significance of the Christian faith in all areas of private and public life, as well as the preservation of Christian values, was an important goal in his life and motivated him to engage in a variety of activities, including in his home church in Erlangen, and lecturing on socio-political topics from a Christian perspective.
For us as NG Team, he was always ready to offer us good advice, both on medical issues and with great wisdom and many insights from his life as a Christian. We are very grateful that we were able to have him as part of the NG family. We will miss him!