(» GERMAN VERSION)
Concrete elegance instead of ivory towers
Built to change: The outlook of Ruhr University Bochum, a mission statement cast in concrete. Since 1965, the university has been the driving force behind the change from mining district to knowledge region. With a reform spirit that defies academic tradition. The theme: Education for everyone!
Built to change – that is our foundation, our guiding principle, and our mission for the future – as an engine for an entire region. Fostering talent from all over the world, breaking down boundaries between disciplines, putting diversity into practice, keeping an open mind, and remaining ourselves while growing as people. With this RUB spirit, we can achieve great things around the world – if we are willing to reinvent ourselves again and again, too.
Stay different!
Best regards, Martin Paul
The students seeking advice here are every bit as diverse as the team itself.
Saiman and Zhenya work in the Psychological Student Counseling Service.
Diverse people, diverse disciplines
Ruhr University Bochum uses its diversity as a strength. It creates a community of mutual respect regardless of gender, origin, skin color, and religion. Saiman and Zhenya work in the Psychological Student Counseling Service and tell us why diversity has long been normality for them.
“Diversity doesn’t just refer to the students seeking advice but to our team of counselors, too,” says Saiman, who has severe visual impairment. “Our own diversity forms the basis for sensitive and professional counseling based on trust.” Saiman knows the danger of being discriminated against as part of a minority : “I am grateful that RUB is addressing this problem head-on.”
His colleague Zhenya works with international students. She is a trained psychologist and fled from Ukraine to Germany. She loves her new job and the diversity at RUB: “I love it when I meet people on campus who are very different to me, and when I hear languages that I don’t know.”
» LEARN MORE (diversity portal)
Full speed ahead for green business ideas
Climate neutrality, ecological transformation – it’s all rather complicated. Ruhr University Bochum provides the necessary expertise and works for better climate protection both on campus and in global networks. Green business ideas are given a boost in the WORLDFACTORY START-UP CENTER – to great effect, as the Team Gemesys example shows.
Dennis, Moritz and Enver from the Gemesys start-up agree: “RUB is the ideal place to launch a start-up.” All founder members are alumni from the university. The WORLDFACTORY helped the young team in its set-up phase with networks, funding programs, and office space. Thanks to the start-up help, Gemesys was able to develop a chip that produces a maximum of artificial intelligence with a minimum of energy. Climate protection in its most compact form!
» LEARN MORE (sustainability portal)
Getting rid of obstacles and opening new horizons
For many people, going to university is a major hurdle to overcome. Especially if the notion of an academic career is not part of their family culture. Ever since its earliest days, Ruhr University Bochum has been eager to get students from non-academic backgrounds on board. Its talent scouts visit schools, providing help and encouragement to talented young people – like Yasmina and Maike.
Yasmina never thought that a scholarship would be a viable option until she discovered RUB via the talent scout program . These days, she is studying law on a scholarship. Maike, who is just beginning her degree in Educational Science and Theater Studies, also established ties with RUB while still at school. She got to know the campus at talent meetings and workshops. And it was perfectly clear which university she would be going to: Ruhr University Bochum – where else?
» LEARN MORE (talent promotion)
It’s fun having people from all over the world at the university.”
David came to Bochum as an exchange student; Katherine places young people at universities abroad.
Internationality means open arms and open doors
Ruhr University Bochum is open for people from all over the world and promotes international student and lecturer exchanges. Their global networks bring RUB researchers together with teams of experts around the globe.
“It’s great what RUB has to offer as regards internationalization,” says David, who originally came as an exchange student from Ecuador and is now completing a Master’s degree in Subsurface Engineering in Bochum. David likes the many different cultures that are found at Ruhr University Bochum. “When I hear my native Spanish being spoken, I feel right at home.”
As an academic member of staff working on an internationalization program, Katherine plays a key role in shaping the welcome culture at Ruhr University Bochum. She coordinates foreign language courses and exchange programs and communicates daily with students and lecturers from different countries. “Other cultures are fascinating and rewarding,” enthuses Katherine, an RUB graduate herself.
» LEARN MORE (international profile)
Achieving great things together and helping each other with the smaller things
Psychology meets IT, field research meets theory: This is active teamwork across disciplines. It opens eyes and breaks down boundaries between people and disciplines. Given the wide spectrum covered at Ruhr University Bochum, these paths are not far removed from one another.
“Traditional research that focuses on just one discipline is showing its limitations today,” says IT specialist Jonas. “The really great challenges – like protecting companies and people from IT attacks – can only be met head-on by working as a team.” Together with Uta from the Chair for Labor Organization and Business Psychology, he works in the SecHuman interdisciplinary research college at RUB. Both of them love interacting with other disciplines and help each other with their doctoral studies. A real win-win situation!
» LEARN MORE (research portal)
Our new guiding principle “Built to change” is the framework for the transformation here at Ruhr University Bochum. The “Why RUB?” section of our website “Why RUB?” explains how this came about and what part was played by the university.
Tell us what moves you. If you have any ideas, criticism, or questions or would like to share your own story, we look forward to hearing from you.
A good idea on its own is not enough to turn inspiration into start-ups.
The WORLDFACTORY START-UP CENTER at Ruhr University Bochum is a veritable hub for science-based start-ups. It provides a fast track into entrepreneurship complete with technical support, expert advice, and networking opportunities, offering office space and infrastructure, and acting as a driving and motivating force.
The financial foundation comes from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia: With the Excellence Start-up Center.NRW award, the ministry provides the WORLDFACTORY with a solid financial basis and gives an important boost to prospective company founders.