Prof. Hahne was educated at the University of Pretoria, (BSc 1960, with distinctions in Physics III, Mathematics III and Applied Mathematics III and M Sc 1964 ) and the University of

Cape Town (Ph D 1967). At Stellenbosch University  he served as Chairman of Department of Physics (1985 – 1986, and

1990 – 1991), and as Dean of Science (May 1991.- Sept 2002). He was Involved in setting up SACEMA as the first PI with Ekkehard Kopp 2004. He was awarded the Havenga prize for Physics, 1991 and De Beers Gold Medal of the South African Institute of Physics, 1995. He was elected as Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa, 1992 and Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.

He was involved in setting up AIMS in 2002 and was appointed as an AIMS Trustee and a member of the AIMS Council. He held the position of Director at AIMS South Africa from 2003 to 2011.  He was instrumental in the Institute’s establishment and oversaw the successful graduation of 252 students from the Programme.