A roaring start for TU families Welcome talk, ‘baby bags’ and exchange for new parents

Little guests make a big impression: TU babies took centre stage at the traditional welcome talk for new parents. Dietmar Smyrek, Vice President for Human Resources, Finance and Infrastructure, welcomed the families to the parent-child room in the Old Main Building of Technische Universität Braunschweig – a place that facilitates exchange and networking in a family atmosphere.

This year, Dietmar Smyrek, Vice President for Human Resources, Finance and Infrastructure, presented the ‘baby bags’. Photo credits: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig

On 12 November, the parent-child room was once again full – time for the annual welcome talk with the TU babies and their parents. “Today, I would like to officially welcome your children to the TU world,” said Dietmar Smyrek. As a father of two, he knows how important it is to have a good balance between work and family: “Because only then are cutting-edge research, good teaching, a good education or good work possible.” Anne Fritz, acting head of the ‘Human Resources, Legal Affairs and Studies’ division, also welcomed the families in attendance.

Getting to know other parents over drinks and pastries

This year, 15 children attended with their parents. Many took the opportunity to chat with each other and discover what the parent-child room has to offer. The room is a meeting place, childcare facility and retreat all in one. When childcare is in short supply, it can even be used as a workplace.

Among the young guests was the ten-month-old daughter of Yvonne Dietze, programme coordinator for computer science, who attended with her husband. “It was really lovingly prepared and nice to see how many other parents were there,” said Dietze. Those who needed a break from the hustle and bustle could retreat to the neighbouring Media Lab.

Dr.-Ing. Torben Fiedler also came along with his one-and-a-half-year-old son. Although this is his third child, the postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Materials was attending the welcome talk for the first time. “TU Braunschweig is really very family-friendly. When our first child was born, I had just finished my doctorate – parental leave and later part-time work were no problem at all. My institute director was totally relaxed about it,” he reported, adding: “Today’s event is really a great gesture of appreciation.”

Lion-themed gifts for the little ones

The ‘baby bags’ that Smyrek presented to the parents were particularly popular. In addition to information about family-friendly services offered by the university, they also contained a lion stuffed animal – the TU’s symbolic animal and, for many, the secret star of the day.

The welcome meeting was once again organised by the Family Office team. “We want to make our TU parents aware of important services as early as possible. Balancing parenthood with studying or working remains a special but also a major challenge,” says Anne-Christin Eggers from the Family Office. Family friendliness is a shared responsibility in everyday university life, adds her colleague Luisa Perdomo Lopez: “We want to highlight and support the realities of life for people with care responsibilities.”

Invitation to the next welcome meeting

All employees and students who have become parents during their time at TU Braunschweig are cordially invited to the next welcome meeting. Registration takes place at the Family Office upon presentation of the birth certificate. Students should also bring their student ID card. The popular ‘baby bags’ can also be picked up directly at the Family Office, regardless of the event.