Welcome, TU babies! Welcome talk and "baby bags" for parents and offspring
The traditional welcome talk for new parents with TU President Professor Angela Ittel was all about the little ones. In the parent-child room and the “Sandkastenzentrale” in the old building, families had the opportunity to chat and get to know each other, as well as receive a special surprise for their offspring.
In her welcome address, TU President Ittel stressed: “Our university is an open place that wants to meet the demands of different lifestyles. Especially those of families. As a family-friendly university, it is important for us to make families visible and to support parents”. As a mother of two, she knows the challenge of balancing family and study. “The Welcome Talks are a wonderful opportunity to get to know parents’ wishes and suggestions in a personal dialogue and at the same time to create a place where families can network with each other.”
Young and old alike are delighted with the "baby bags" handed out by TU President Angela Ittel. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
On the way to the "Sandkastenzentrale". Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
A chance to exchange experiences. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
Time for a personal chat between parents, TU President Angela Ittel and Bernt Erlewein, Head of Human Resources, Legal Affairs and Student Affairs. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
The "stars" of the day. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
Getting to know each other in the parent-child room. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
Julia playing in the parent-child room. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
A "lion-strong" companion for the little ones. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
A chance to exchange ideas
Laura Wenzlaff also appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas. The Master’s student, who is specialising in German and Religious Education in primary schools, came to the Welcome Talk with her nine-month-old son, Oskar: “I heard about the event through an email from the Family Office and I think it’s great to get to know other families and the facilities here. As a mother, she particularly appreciates the comprehensive advice provided by the Family Office and the flexibility offered to student parents with regard to course bookings, holiday semesters and postponements of deadlines.
Junior professor Maximilian Merkert came with his wife and 18-month-old daughter Julia: “We found out about this event from last year’s reports and think it’s a great opportunity to get in touch with other families. The event is also a good opportunity to explore the TU’s family-friendly facilities: “We immediately noticed that Julia really feels at home here.”
“Baby bags” for young and old
A special highlight this year was once again the distribution of “baby bags”. The bags contained lots of useful information for parents about family-friendly services at the university, as well as a TU cuddly lion for newborns. In addition to the President, Ulrike Wrobel, Central Equal Opportunities Officer, and Bernt Erlewein, Head of Human Resources, Legal Affairs and Student Affairs, welcomed the young and old guests. Afterwards, there was time to chat over coffee and Christmas biscuits in the “Sandkastenzentrale” and to try out the play equipment in the parent-child room.
Anne-Christin Eggers, head of the Family Office, was delighted with the positive feedback: “With this event, we want to make ourselves visible as a point of contact and encourage dialogue between families. We can see from the large number of participants and the many good conversations that this has been successful”. A total of 29 parents and 18 children attended the event. “The Elki Room has never had so many guests!”
The welcome talk, which takes place once a year, is organised by the Family Office team. All employees and students who have become parents during their time at TU Braunschweig are cordially invited to the next Welcome Talk. Parents can register at the Family Office with their birth certificate. Students also need their student card. Parents can also pick up their “baby bags” at the Family Office.