The Week at TU Braunschweig │05.06.2020 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: New Member + Covid-19 disease + Measuring the wave + Language learning + commitment + NETWORKTIME
Editor: Viktoria Heyer
► A new member of the German Council of Science and Humanities
We start our review of the week with great news: Professor Thomas Stefan Spengler, head of the Institute for Automotive Management and Industrial Production, has been appointed to the German Council of Science and Humanities by the Federal President. We congratulate him warmly! He is now contributing his expertise in business management issues such as production, logistics, sustainability, mobility, energy transition, recycling economy and digitization to the most important science policy advisory body for the German federal government and state governments for a period of three years.
► Welcome
…at TU Braunschweig, Professor Dan Schürch! The Swiss architect has been head of the Institute of Design and Building Design (IEB) since the beginning of the summer semester. On 1 June he was appointed professor. We talked to him about his plans for the institute and what he understands by the “emotional potential” of a building.
► Personal experience with the corona virus
We are pleased that Professor Dieter Jahn is back at the TU Braunschweig healthy again. The microbiologist, who also researches viruses, had a very personal encounter with the corona virus. He talks about his Covid-19 disease and reveals the experiences he gained from it for himself and his research.
► Measuring the wave
In summer temperatures we long for the beach and the sound of gentle waves. Small and big waves are generated in the miniGWK+ of the Forschungszentrum Küste (FZK) of TU Braunschweig and Leibniz Universität Hannover. Our picture of the month shows what this looks like. If you have suggestions for our series, please write to presse@tu-braunschweig.de.
► Language learning by videoconference
This semester, the Language Center has also switched to digital courses. But the staff were not entirely unprepared. We asked Dr. Andreas Hettiger, the head of the Language Centre, how digital language learning works and what opportunities it offers.
► New half-year programme of the GradTUBS Graduate Academy
From Tuesday, 9th June, the offers and courses of the second semester program of the Graduate Academy GradTUBS can be booked. These include a video application training, a workshop on the “first 100 days in a new job” and an accompanying offer of several weeks for scientific writing and publishing in English. Every Wednesday there is also a video consultation hour for questions and advice.
► Sandkasten projects for the campus and the region
Isabella Tober and Cedric Lachmann from the Sandkasten team have told us how TU members can give something back to society. Since mid-March, the number of new project ideas on the platform has quadrupled. We talked to them about current projects and their commitment to the campus and the region.
► Virtual air of the university
Right on time for the start of the application phase, the new page “Information for prospective students” of the Central Student Advisory Service goes online. Prospective students will receive tips and offers concerning the choice of study and interesting facts about the study programmes at TU Braunschweig. Next week a virtual live service will also start.
► Caution in open forums – extremists seek contact with student circles
The current corona pandemic can cause psychological stress for many people. Supporters of conspiracy theories and extremist movements are trying to use the crisis for their own purposes. Even in the surrounding area of the TU Braunschweig, suspected extremists are trying to attract students – e.g. by e-mail. Thus for example, two mails with a Salafist background were sent to an open Yahoo group of the study programme of psychology. The e-mail address is not an official TU Braunschweig e-mail distribution list. As an immediate measure a closed and moderated TU distribution list will be set up for students and teachers of psychology.
Of course we want to protect students and teachers as best as possible. Naturally, however, the possibilities are limited for legal reasons. It goes without saying that we also make sure that our procedures remain in conformity with data protection laws.
Therefore, we would like to encourage you to discuss the risks in your areas and to pay attention to conspicuous features. If applicable, please refer those affected to the information provided by the German Psychological Association, the paper “Salafism Appearances and Current Developments“, and the advisory services offered by the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen. Please also contact us if you become aware of such mails under “Tell us“.
► From a feeling of “we” to the division of society?
Politically extreme, anti-democratic and conspiracy theory issues also play a role in the demonstrations surrounding the measures to contain the Corona pandemic. In an online discussion on 9 June, 6 p.m., the Haus der Wissenschaft will deal with the motives of the demonstrators, among other things. Professor Monika Taddicken from the Department of Communication and Media Sciences and Professor Nils Bandelow from the Institute for Comparative Politics and Public Policy will also be taking part.
► NETWORKTIME – Networking via topics from the work context
You would like to get in touch with other employees of TU Braunschweig, network and exchange information about topics you encounter in your work context? The new quarterly format “NETWORKTIME“ of the Department 13 – Personnel Development offers you an opportunity to do so. Since the NETWORKTIME cannot currently take place in person as planned, the format has been adapted: On 25th June you will be offered the opportunity for a digital exchange. If you are interested, please register using the link above.
► Darling of the week
Our darling of the week is the University Library team! The staff moved, cleared and signposted chairs and tables so that TU students and staff can study there again. To do so, you need to register to use the library. The online registration form is available on the website. From Monday to Friday from 09.30 to 14.30, 100 places are now available for learning, subject to the prescribed hygiene measures.