 University of Duisburg-Essen CAMPUS:INTERN Services & internal news from UDE 25 June 2026 |
Dear colleagues,
over the past few months, many employees in all areas have worked with great commitment to continue developing our university for the future. Whether in the digitalization of processes, consolidation, the further development of our campuses or the many projects in research, teaching and administration, progress is becoming visible in many areas. The consolidation process (KoPro), for example, is moving into the implementation phase. You will find further examples in this issue of CAMPUS:INTERN. 
(c) UDE/eventfotograf.in
What makes me particularly confident is the way we are approaching these tasks. Every day, I see colleagues taking responsibility, working together constructively and being ready to implement change. This shared determination to shape the future is one of our university’s great strengths. UDE continues to face major challenges. The financial framework remains tight, and the changes ahead will demand a great deal from all of us. We will therefore work together on solutions. Today, however, work is not the focus. Today is the summer festival. It is an opportunity to come together, exchange ideas and experience UDE beyond meetings, deadlines and to-do lists. I look forward to meeting many of you in person and spending a pleasant afternoon together. I hope you enjoy reading this issue, have good conversations and enjoy a successful summer festival! Yours, Ulf Richter Chancellor |
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Organization
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(c) UDE/Mirco Michel |
Results, measures and next steps The “KoPro” consolidation program is moving into the next phase: after the analysis phase has been completed, the project team will provide information on the results after the summer break. Further topics include the measures derived from these results and the next steps as part of “Zukunft@UDE”. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1826 |
(c) Marco Stein |
Shaping change together: administrative managers discuss the future Change is necessary, and it can be shaped together. This was the central message of this year’s strategy retreats held by the management group and the university administration’s managers. In addition to presenting current results, the managers discussed opportunities, challenges and support needs in the change process. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1828 |
(c) Jens Schicke/berufundfamilie Service GmbH |
Certified once again as a family-friendly university For 16 years, the university has been entitled to call itself a “family-friendly university”. It has now once again been recognized for its achievements in reconciling science, work, study and family life. Dr. Regina Hauses, Head of the Diversity Support Center, and Dr. Kristina Spahn, one of the two central equal opportunities officers, accepted the certificate from “berufundfamilie Service GmbH” in Berlin. https://www.uni-due.de/2026-06-24-ude-family-friendly-for-16-years |
(c) UDE/Lars W. Steinhoff |
UDE Shuttle I: first evaluation provides insights into usage patterns How is the shuttle service used most, and by whom? A current evaluation of the data provides answers, taking into account all bookings by students, employees and guests up to the end of May. One group of users is clearly ahead. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1829 |
(c) Arne Rensing |
UDE Shuttle II: assistance with accessible boarding Anyone who needs accessible boarding for a trip in the minibuses operating between the two main campuses, or who needs to bring a non-folding wheelchair, can register their travel request by email (preferably as early as possible). Colleagues will then look for a suitable solution. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1752 |
(c) UDE/Lars W. Steinhoff |
Car sharing for official trips at UDE not yet possible Vehicles from the car-sharing provider “stadtmobil Rhein-Ruhr” are already available on the Duisburg and Essen campuses. However, before this additional service can be approved for official trips, a few final organizational steps are still required. UDE is already providing information about the new mobility service and how it can be used. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1832 |
(c) freerangestock.com |
Central warehouse temporarily available only to a limited extent The services offered by the central warehouse are currently temporarily restricted on both campuses. Until and including 7 July 2026, personal collections from the central warehouse and placing orders on site will not be possible. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1824 |
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Staff
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(c) LAONG - stock.adobe.com |
Health Days 2026 Lectures, workshops and taster courses offered by university sports: from 14 to 18 September, the UDE Health Days 2026 invite participants to discover new ideas around health, exercise and well-being through a wide range of offerings. Registration opens on 31 August 2026. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1834 |
(c) very ulissa - stock.adobe.com |
Reserved places in Duisburg daycare centers for UDE employees The university is making it easier for parents to better reconcile work and family life with a new, family-friendly offer: with immediate effect, all UDE employees can apply for reserved places in 16 daycare centers run by Evangelisches Bildungswerk Duisburg (EBW). The program is another component of the comprehensive support offered to employees with children. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1836 |
(c) Andreas Prott - stock.adobe.com |
Change to AVIS rental car bookings: voucher procedure ends immediately Anyone who exceptionally needs a rental car for a business trip can no longer rely on physical vouchers from AVIS. The car rental company has discontinued issuing the vouchers. Further information on the new procedure for booking a rental car, including the relevant requirements, is available on the Travel Expenses Office website. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1838 |
(c) Studierendenwerk Essen-Duisburg |
Customer survey on university catering Studierendenwerk is asking employees and students for their opinions on the quality of its offerings and services. University members are currently invited to evaluate the dining halls and cafeterias and submit suggestions for improvement via an online survey. The survey is available online until 26 June. An iPad A16 and dining hall vouchers will be raffled among eligible participants. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1788 |
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People
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(c) UDE/Lars W. Steinhoff |
“Creativity is extremely helpful.” After spending the last 11 years at thyssenkrupp in Hohenlimburg and Duisburg, Hendrik Wefelmeier has found his way to the University of Duisburg-Essen. There, the trained civil engineer, who also holds qualifications as a concrete and steel construction specialist, technical business administrator and expert for building damage, took over as head of the Building Operations unit and as deputy head of the Department of Facility Management on 1 April 2026. CAMPUS:INTERN spoke with him. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1840 |
(c) privat |
“Continuously improve, prioritize, address and implement.” A familiar face in a new role: Christoph Pelka has been the university’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) since May 2026. As a problem solver for all things technical, he recommended himself for the position of deputy CISO in the area of information security. After one year, he is now taking on the main responsibility. In the interview, he talks about the tasks awaiting him and the tips he has for employees. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1842 |
(c) privat |
“Strengthen visibility, expand cooperation.” Since the beginning of the year, Dr. Nina Lemmens has been heading the new Management Office of the University Alliance Ruhr as Managing Director. With more than two decades of experience in science management, she brings extensive national and international expertise. Lemmens, who previously worked for the DAAD and various foundations, among others, aims in her new position to advance strategic networking and the further development of the alliance. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1843 |
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Digitalization
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(c) Andreas Prott - stock.adobe.com |
Latest news on the SAP S/4HANA project The SAP S/4HANA project will be delayed due to additional technical and organizational challenges as well as a necessary system update. To ensure implementation at the desired level of quality, completion has been postponed to spring 2027. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1841 |
(c) Looker_Studio - stock.adobe.com |
Facility Management fault reporting system The web-based fault reporting and notification system of Facility Management has been in trial operation since the beginning of the year. The system centrally records, processes and documents fault reports related to buildings, technology and infrastructure. Please feel free to use the tool for your reports. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1839 |
(c) irissca - stock.adobe.com |
Term papers and theses in the age of AI How much does AI help with academic term papers and theses? What counts as a student’s own work, where does it end, and how can this be checked? Since the rise of ChatGPT, the topic of generative technologies has been discussed at many universities, including UDE. An assessment prepared by the thematic alliance “Transformation of Study and Teaching through Digitalization” of UDE’s Teaching Advisory Group is now available and can be accessed online. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1837 |
(c) freerangestock.com |
Digital credit card to launch later than planned The introduction of the digital credit card at UDE has been postponed: it is currently scheduled for August 2026. The digital credit card is intended to make procurement and billing processes simpler and more efficient in the future. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1835 |
(c) asknet |
UDE Asknet shop to be discontinued Until now, individual software products could be ordered via Asknet. However, UDE’s Asknet software shop will be discontinued on 30 June 2026 as part of a strategic realignment by the provider. ZIM has set up a transitional offer for SAS and SPSS single-user licenses. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1833 |
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Campus
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(c) UDE/eventfotograf.in |
Winning design for Duisburg campus development selected The development of UDE’s Duisburg campus reached another milestone in April: the winning design has been selected. The guiding idea is that the campus should become more structured and attractive. As part of the workshop process carried out in parallel with the new higher education construction master planning, urban development concepts were created to serve as the basis for the emerging built infrastructure. Building on this, existing buildings on the Duisburg university campus are to be preserved, the university’s future space requirements implemented sustainably and the quality of the campus environment deliberately improved. https://www.uni-due.de/2026-04-15-winning-design-for-the-duisburg-campus-development |
(c) Arne Rensing |
UDE and the City of Essen work together on campus safety Safety plays a central role in planning the future use of the site of the demolished parking garage on the Essen campus. A project group led by Elke Wittenhagen from the Department of Facility Management has contacted the city on this matter, also prompted by input from the staff assembly, and is incorporating the city’s expertise into further considerations. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1831 |
(c) LANUK |
First joint carbon footprint report by NRW universities For the first time, all 30 public universities in North Rhine-Westphalia have jointly presented a greenhouse gas balance sheet. The report published by the state Ministry for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy creates a uniform data basis for climate protection in the higher education sector. UDE is using the data obtained to further expand its climate protection measures and sustainably reduce its emissions. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1751 |
(c) UDE-Arbeitssicherheit |
Ventilation and indoor climate in renovated buildings: CO2 monitors provide reassurance Renovation measures are making the Essen and Duisburg campuses more attractive. New CO2 monitors now show how good the indoor climate is in the Essen buildings V15S and R09S, as well as in LF on the Duisburg campus and in the Weststadt Towers. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1830 |
(c) Arne Rensing |
Parking garages: opening hours remain unchanged The university’s parking garages are currently available to employees, students and guests from Monday to Friday between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and this will remain the case. Extending the opening hours is not possible due to contractual agreements and operating hours stipulated in the building permit. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1827 |
(c) Cathrin Becker |
Learning, taking breaks and spending time together New seating on the Duisburg campus invites people to study and spend time outdoors. Between the University Library, Audimax LX and the LF building, benches made from sustainably produced larch provide twelve new seats. The side elements in pink, turquoise and mint stand out, as do the planting and herb bed. The area is intended to serve as a place for learning and relaxation, offering opportunities to spend time outdoors alone or in groups. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1825 |
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Dates
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Save the Date(s) UDE opens its doors for ExtraSchicht What is life on Mars really like? And what happens in the fastest laboratory in the world? Answers will be available on 27 June 2026, when the University of Duisburg-Essen invites visitors to “Extraschicht – The Night of Industrial Culture”. On the Duisburg campus, laboratories, workshops and the clean room will open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. for visitors to the Ruhr-wide event. https://www.uni-due.de/2026-05-27-ude-is-venue-for-extraschicht-2026 Summer concerts by the University Orchestra: when music tells stories 10 July 2026, 8 p.m., Erlöserkirche Essen 11 July 2026, 5 p.m., Zeche Zollverein Essen, Hall 12 https://www.uni-due.de/2026-06-15-summerconcerts-universitysorchestra Teaching Day Teaching Day will take place on Thursday, 1 October 2026 (presumably from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Gerhard Mercator House on the Duisburg campus. An invitation will follow. Dies academicus This year, the university will honor the best degrees in the faculties at Dies academicus on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, from 11:30 a.m. on the Duisburg campus. The Duisburg-Essen Teaching Award will also be presented on this occasion. Further information will follow with the invitation and at: https://www.uni-due.de/de/dies |
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SchaubUDE
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UDE first-level support: service offering, contact point and barometer |
First point of contact & advice. (c) UDE/Arne Rensing & Lars W. Steinhoff [Click to enlarge] |
Head Helene Baudon. (c) UDE/Arne Rensing & Lars W. Steinhoff [Click to enlarge] |
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For many students, UDE begins with a phone call, an email or a visit to the First Info Desk. First-level support answers questions, refers people to the right contacts, helps them find their way in everyday university life and ensures that Student Services can be reached. But the employees do even more: they identify trends, provide ideas for improvements and help prospective and current students feel welcome. For Head Helene Baudon, the service is therefore also “a permanent barometer of the customer perspective” and an important source of ideas for the further development of services and processes. CAMPUS:INTERN was allowed to take a look behind the scenes: https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/2026-06-25-first-level-support.php |
Great willingness to help and a lot of empathy: the UDE Infoline. (c) UDE/Arne Rensing & Lars W. Steinhoff [Click to enlarge] |
Well guided in the Duisburg SG building. (c) UDE/Arne Rensing & Lars W. Steinhoff [Click to enlarge] |
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CAMPUS:INTERN published by the Chancellor of the University of Duisburg-Essen Ulf Richter, kanzler@uni-due.de -------------------------- Editing & compilation: Cathrin Becker, cathrin.becker@uni-due.de Dr. Christoph Czychun, christoph.czychun@uni-due.de Arne Rensing, Lars W. Steinhoff, webredaktion@uni-due.de -------------------------- (c) UDE: 2021-2026 |