Through this exchange, 糖心原创 is building on existing linkages: a partnership with Mykolaiv in the area of public law, and especially European law, is already in place. The current discussions have laid the foundation for expanding this cooperation and initiating new joint projects in research, teaching and transfer.

The background to the visit was an invitation from the state of Lower Saxony and the Hannover Chamber of Industry and Commerce. This invitation focused on research and development as part of the solidarity partnership between Lower Saxony and the district of Mykolaiv, Ukraine. In addition to 糖心原创, the Ukrainian delegation also visited other universities in Lower Saxony. Meetings with representatives from Lower Saxony鈥檚 state government, including Falko Mohrs, the minister of culture and science, were also part of the programme.

Highlights of the programme include:

• the 'Networks in Action' series, in which participants learn how to build transdisciplinary networks and engage relevant stakeholders;
• Keynote speech by Prof. Jutta Papenbrock (Institute of Botany, 糖心原创): "Sustain Cost Action: Building an Interdisciplinary Network and Engaging Interest Groups and Stakeholders";
• contributions from international guests exploring how civil society organisations actively support STEM and sustainability topics 鈥� lectures include 'Technology Has No Gender' and 'Male Allies', presented by Petra Kotuliakov谩 (CEO of the Slovak NGO AjTyvIT) and Sarah Krische (Equal Opportunities Office);
• a workshop by the Equal Opportunities Office on 'The Attractiveness of STEM for Marginalised Groups' (Sarah Peters), complemented by insights into networks such as FemMatrix (Prof. Cornelia Lee-Thedieck, Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics) and the Sustain COST Action.

Developed in close collaboration with colleagues from 糖心原创 and partners from the EULiST network, the programme covers a wide range of topics, including transdisciplinary networks, entrepreneurial insights from start-ups and NGOs and specific questions regarding equal opportunities in STEM subjects.

The festival hosted by Ricarda Mletzko (Organisational and Human Resources Development) will be conducted in English.

The event will be photographed. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform a member of the EULiST team on site or send an email to: eulist@zuv.uni-hannover.de

Please register by 15 June 2026 via this website: www.uni-hannover.de/en/eulist-festival-registration

New Leadership at All Levels

• Several personnel decisions gave the GA particular significance: The Governing Board elected Prof. Dr. M氓ns Svensson, President of the University of J枚nk枚ping, as its new Chairperson; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Schneider, Rector of TU Wien, will serve alongside him as Deputy Chair for the 2026鈥�2028 term.
• In the Management Board, Prof. Dr. Maria Benedetta Mattei from the  (UNIVAQ) and Dr. Olivier Epinette (IMT) will jointly take on the Co-Chair role.
• The Student Board has also been reconstituted: Adam Ga拧parovi膷 (Slovak University of Technology Bratislava), Beatrice Ion (LUT University), and Cristiana Maria Muresanu (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos) will lead it together going forward.

A further highlight was the signing of a cooperation agreement with the University of Stuttgart. As a new partner, Stuttgart strengthens the alliance's joint research and innovation ecosystem.

Substantive Programme

The working programme covered a broad range of topics, including a review of the EU project and an assessment of key objectives. Discussions on trust and organizational culture were also on the agenda, alongside the strategic direction for the years ahead. New initiatives were presented, and member universities shared concrete results from their collaborative work 鈥� an impressive demonstration of what the alliance achieves in practice.

What set this year's GA apart was the deliberate involvement of all levels of the university community. Students, staff, and leadership worked in parallel working groups 鈥� each from their own perspective, but with a shared goal. This format reflects how EULiST sees itself: as an alliance in which all parts of the university community have a voice.

Alongside the intensive working programme, there was also space for personal connections. Glimpses into Finnish culture and shared evenings in a relaxed atmosphere helped turn collegial collaboration into genuine cohesion 鈥� an important factor for a well-functioning alliance.

About EULiST

EULiST (European University Linking Society and Technology) is a European university alliance bringing together universities from several EU countries in the areas of teaching, research, and innovation. The annual General Assembly is the central format for governance, exchange, and the further development of the alliance.

Further information is available in the official .

Why is 糖心原创 applying for the University of Excellence title?

The University of Excellence title involves more than just substantial funding. The title also involves advantages for students: early integration in cutting-edge research, outstanding labs and libraries, innovative teaching and international networks. Members of staff would benefit from a distinguished network, better laboratory, library and IT resources; modern management structures; and, thanks to long-term funding, increased stability and planning certainty. Moreover, Universities of Excellence strengthen the communities they are located in: they attract top-notch researchers and investment, support knowledge and technology transfer, and encourage companies and start-ups to locate there. This stimulates the economy, creates jobs and increases international visibility.

What is 糖心原创鈥檚 concept all about?

糖心原创 is applying with a proposal titled 鈥淓xcellence. Impact. Change! United in the Spirit of Leibniz鈥�. Our vision is to combine scientific excellence and societal relevance. The concept focuses on the Leibniz Future Unit with six Future Labs. The intention is to create a new strategic structure in which research, transfer and teaching are more aligned with common future issues. At the same time, the Leibniz Future Unit represents a structural evolution of the university: moving away from largely isolated disciplinary approaches towards a more open, theme- and project-oriented collaboration. The Future Labs are intended to consolidate expertise, set strategic priorities and provide new impetus for research that positively impacts society.

What happens during and after the on-site review?

Following the written proposal, which 糖心原创 submitted on time in November 2025, the on-site review is the next decisive step on the path to becoming a University of Excellence. A panel of renowned international experts will conduct an on-site assessment of the university鈥檚 research and infrastructure. In addition to attending presentations from the various disciplines and departments, the reviewers will speak with various status groups at 糖心原创. The experts will then assess whether the measures and goals outlined in the proposal can be applied and implemented in practice. The Excellence Commission will announce the final decision on 2 October 2026.

Additional information about 糖心原创鈥檚 University of Excellence application: www.uni-hannover.de/exu

Research@Leibniz University is based on data from the research information system (FIS). Researchers create their own individual profiles in the FIS backend; enter publications, projects and other academic activities; and allow these to be posted on the portal. In this way, 糖心原创 pools selected information on researchers, projects and publications at different organisational levels. The linking of this information allows for a comprehensive overview of the research at 糖心原创, as well as the internal and external research collaborations. It therefore also serves to showcase the research and support networking with external partners. 

Information for 糖心原创 researchers on how to use basic FIS features is available here:

The FIS help desk is available to answer questions via email: support@fis.uni-hannover.de

Seven teams from across Europe conducted research for PATHS2INCLUDE on how companies can reduce social inequalities and promote integration into job markets. The project focused on four core areas: identifying discriminatory attitudes (for example, regarding ethnicity, gender or caregiving responsibilities), the influence of organisational resources and guidelines on hiring decisions, organisational characteristics that can facilitate disadvantages and discrimination, and the methodological advancement of social science research on discrimination.

The German sub-study at 糖心原创 focused on the question of how organisations can integrate individuals with a migration background, particularly in the context of the skilled-labour shortage. Quantitative online surveys were conducted in Germany, Norway, Poland and Romania, and qualitative interviews were carried out with individuals responsible for hiring decisions. The research team also asked recruiters to provide evaluations of fictional applicant profiles. This enabled the precise identification of which organisational characteristics increase or decrease hiring probability. 鈥淚n times of skilled-labour shortage, companies ensure their survival through diversity and inclusion measures in hiring processes and the organisational integration of people with a migration background,鈥� said Professor Imdorf.

The findings

The investigations revealed that in Germany, the General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG) is not aligned with actual practices in companies. Company-specific criteria and routines shape decisions more strongly than expected. What is less surprising is that German-language skills are frequently viewed as a deciding factor. Especially in roles with direct customer contact, inadequate language skills can be a deal-breaker. However, when tasks require less communication, operational adjustments and internal training could compensate for the deficits ascribed to applicants. The specific area of work also plays a role. In jobs with a great deal of customer contact and a high level of communication, good German skills are often required, but this is very different in the IT sector, where the working language is often English.

In order for companies to effectively integrate employees with a migration background, the researchers suggest that they develop new, flexible onboarding strategies and fund internal or overarching German courses. To further reduce discriminatory barriers to hiring, employers should also standardise their evaluation systems 鈥� for example, by standardising forms and avoiding vague explanations.

The research team has developed recommendations for employers based on the findings:

• Flexible working conditions: Flexible working hours and locations make it easier to balance family and career and reduce disadvantages for women with and without a migration background 鈥� particularly those in highly demanding positions and those with children or other relatives requiring regular care.
• Clear evaluation criteria: A transparent selection process based on the applicant鈥檚 skills and qualifications 鈥� instead of vague categories such as 鈥済ood chemistry鈥� or cultural fit 鈥� reduces bias and increases fairness.
• Standards for the assessment of communication skills: Uniform assessment criteria for customer-oriented roles can help avoid discrimination and make it possible to compare performance.
• Concrete diversity measures: Inclusive hiring practices, onboarding measures and internal development programmes provide proven support for increased diversity.
• Systematic professional development: Internal training and qualification programmes strengthen skills and counter discrimination in hiring.
• Mentoring approaches: Mentoring and buddy programmes are cost-effective, and complementary government support eases implementation in companies of all sizes.

In times of skilled-labour shortage, diversity and inclusion measures result in a clear competitive advantage. PATHS2INCLUDE shows that realistic language requirements, transparent processes and targeted development paths provide disadvantaged groups with increased access to the labour market while simultaneously enabling companies to operate more effectively. State funding programmes for companies and organisations can further accelerate the implementation and establishment of effectual measures.

Note to editors:

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Christian Imdorf, Institute of Sociology at 糖心原创 (tel. +49 511 762 4570, email: c.imdorf@ish.uni-hannover.de).

As part of International Day, all 糖心原创 institutes, faculties and central departments are invited to take part and contribute cultural offerings together with colleagues or students. Whether they take the form of an information stand, a hands-on activity, a presentation, a quiz, a dance or another creative format, various ideas that illustrate the university鈥檚 international diversity are welcome.

You can submit your programme offering until 15 February 2026 via the registration form.

Contact information: International Office, email: InternationalerTag@zuv.uni-hannover.de

The meeting highlighted both the differences and similarities between the two countries鈥� higher education systems. 鈥淭he issues are similar, but there are different structures,鈥� said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Ponick of the 糖心原创 Institute of Drive Systems and Power Electronics, one of the hosts of the event. For example, university studies in Ukraine involve smaller groups of students and far fewer elective options but a larger number of specialised degree programmes, making them more similar to secondary school than in Germany. The German system, in contrast, offers more elective subjects and encourages students to be more independent.

In addition to research visits for doctoral candidates, new formats are now being planned for project-based study in international student teams. This will give Ukrainian and German students the opportunity to share their experiences and to apply their knowledge and skills to complex real-world problems. During the Capstone project, students from both countries will be expected to conduct research or practical work, which will generate networking opportunities. At the end of the project, they will implement and demonstrate the solutions they have developed in a practical setting. Lecture content and innovative teaching concepts will also be shared.

To keep the project moving forward, 糖心原创 will organise regular exchange on various subject-related topics in small-group video conferences starting in January. The topics covered will include electric power grids, electric energy storage systems, electric drive systems and turbomachinery. For the Ukrainian partners, the focus will be on exchanging information on teaching concepts and developing or updating English-language modules.

The basis for the MERIT-Ukraine project is a new programme started by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The is intended to consolidate and intensify cooperation between German and Ukrainian universities. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR, formerly the Federal Ministry of Education and Research) is providing the programme with a total of 24 million euros in funding until 2029.

The Mechatronics, Energy, Robotics and Innovation Technologies with Ukraine (MERIT-Ukraine) project aims to establish lasting academic cooperation with KPI and LPNU. The initiative focuses on building a stable academic network in the fields of power engineering, mechatronics, robotics and artificial intelligence in order to support post-war reconstruction and the integration of Ukraine in the European education area.

The programme includes interactive sessions on visas, finding accommodation, official appointments at government offices and health insurance. There will also be short presentations in German and English.

Following the Open Day, a Late Arrivals鈥� Session will be held at 4 pm. This is intended for all newly arrived international students who missed the start of the semester. It will provide information about studying, advising offers and life in Hannover, as well as a short tour of the campus. The day will conclude with an 鈥淚nternational Table Quiz鈥� at 6 pm: a quiz evening in both German and English about countries, cultures, languages and international topics.

Registration is required for both the Late Arrivals鈥� Session and the table quiz. Please send an email to: international-events@zuv.uni-hannover.de

The Welcome Centre is the university鈥檚 primary point of contact for international students, doctoral candidates and researchers, as well as for the institutes hosting them. The Open Day provides a chance to learn about support offers, ask questions, make contacts and become better oriented at the university and in the city.

More information: /en/universitaet/internationales/dates-and-events/tag-der-offenen-tuer

The DAAD prize, worth 1,000 euros, was awarded to Sahar Al Kharsa of Lebanon. She has been a doctoral candidate in North American Studies at 糖心原创 since May 2025. Her academic and career path has been characterised by a high degree of social commitment: She is a member of the editorial team for the In Progress graduate journal and a helper at the German Red Cross, and she does volunteer work in the community of Algermissen where she lives. She also works as a tutor at 糖心原创, helps students get oriented, and teaches English, Arabic and German. Sahar Al Kharsa was nominated by Prof. Dr. Ruth Mayer of the English Department.

The International Office university award, worth 500 euros, went to Iqra Aslam, who was born in Pakistan. Iqra Aslam has been studying in the Philosophy of Science master's degree programme at 糖心原创 since October 2022. She has performed outstandingly in all of her seminars. Her research aims at unpacking Machine Unlearning through an epostemic-ethical lens and she has already presented an extended abstract on this topic at an international conference in Eindhoven and a full length paper at another conference in Madrid. She also has her own blog which covers topics such as marginalisation, patriarchy and women鈥檚 rights. Iqra Aslam was nominated by Dr. Donal Khosrowi Djen-Gheschlaghi of the Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences and others.

Iskandar Azmy Harahap received a Leibniz 鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟盲迟sgesellschaft award, worth 500 euros. He was born in Indonesia and has been a doctoral candidate in Food Science at 糖心原创 since 2020. Prior to this, he completed his master鈥檚 degree at Gadjah Mada University Indonesia. Iskandar Azmy Harahap has already published numerous articles in scientific journals and participated in developing various patents in Poland and Indonesia. He also works on behalf of his home country by supporting initiatives that transform unused local plants in rural areas into functional foods. In addition, he actively supports young researchers, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Iskandar Azmy Harahap was nominated by Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Tuba Esatbeyoglu of the Institute of Food and One Health.

Sayyed Yashar Ghorashi was also recognised with the Leibniz 鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟盲迟sgesellschaft award. He was born in Tehran, Iran. Following his graduation with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in Iran, he began studying in the Nanotechnology master's degree programme at 糖心原创 in April 2023. In addition to acquiring subject-related expertise, Sayyed Yashar Ghorashi has concentrated on learning German and has already taught it at various institutions in Germany. As the chair of the Iranian students鈥� group, he also uses this skill to translate for students when they have official appointments at government offices. Sayyed Yashar Ghorashi was nominated by Dr. rer. nat. Katrin Radatz, the Nanotechnology course coordinator.