University of Duisburg-Essen CAMPUS:INTERN Service & internal updates from UDE 18 December 2025 Dear Colleagues, at the end of my first year at UDE, I look back with gratitude on everything we have achieved together. 2025 was marked by dedicated work in all areas of our university – from successful projects in research, teaching and administration to the many small contributions without which our operations would not be possible. (c) UDE/Arne Rensing In this issue, we report on a few selected advances – for example, on developments in our consolidation process, the current status of the SAP S/4HANA implementation, and the new fault reporting and feedback management system in Facility Management. We also want to tackle the challenges ahead together in the coming year and to actively shape the future of our university. We will continue to develop our processes and make UDE sustainable and fit for the future. In doing so, we will work together respectfully and constructively, so that all of this can be achieved with a sense of enjoyment. I invite you to contribute your ideas, your perspectives and your energy – because only together can we move UDE forward. Now, at year’s end, the focus shifts: the Christmas season invites us to pause for a moment. It is a time of love, family and togetherness – and it reminds us how important solidarity and mutual support are. I hope these values will continue to shape our daily work at UDE. Especially in challenging times, it becomes clear how important it is to be a team. I wish you and your families a peaceful Christmas season, restful days, and a good start to a healthy and successful New Year. Seasonal greetings Ulf Richter Consolidation (c) best - stock.adobe.com Information Event on Budget Consolidation Due to financial savings measures by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the University of Duisburg-Essen is implementing the consolidation programme (KoPro). The aim is to simplify workflows, optimise processes and strengthen the university’s capacity to act. An online information event on 15 January 2026 will explain how the central administration is positioning itself in this context and what further steps are planned. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1643 Organisation (c) robbany hossain - stock.adobe.com Procedural Instruction for Procurement The “Procedural instruction for carrying out procurement” has been revised following discussions with the university’s organisational units. Suggestions were incorporated, regulations were specified, and often practical solutions were found. The updated version of the procurement guideline will come into force on 1 January 2026. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1641 (c) Looker_Studio - stock.adobe.com New Fault Reporting and Feedback Management in Facility Management The Facility Management Department will launch a trial operation of a web-based fault reporting and feedback management system in 2026. In an initially twelve-month pilot phase, reports of faults relating to buildings, technology and infrastructure will gradually be processed and evaluated via the system. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1653 Digitalisation (c) bounpaseuth - stock.adobe.com Latest Updates on the SAP S/4HANA Project The project to implement SAP S/4HANA continues to develop successfully. In recent weeks, key milestones have been achieved. The conceptual design phase is now approaching completion. Aysegül Aksu from the project team reports in CAMPUS:INTERN on the current status. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1642 (c) MinixT - stock.adobe.com New Workflow for Ordering IT Equipment in the Central Administration The “Workflows and Processes” team, together with the Center for Information and Media Services, has developed a new workflow for applying for standard IT equipment in the university administration. From now on, applications can be initiated via the Selfcare Portal. The actual ordering of IT equipment by workplace support in the administration will continue as usual via the procurement functions in SAP. However, the new workflow makes the process simpler, more transparent and more user-friendly. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1648 (c) Supatmen - stock.adobe.com Generative AI for Administrative Tasks and Management More than 300 employees took part in the online event “Generative AI for administrative tasks and management” in November. Prof. Dr. Malte Persike presented opportunities, legal aspects and concrete examples of use. In hands-on breakout sessions, participants were able to gain experience directly and exchange ideas, depending on their competence level. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1650 (c) Martin Rettenberger AI Portal Page Revised The AI portal page on the UDE website has been redesigned with a new layout. Topics are arranged more clearly for users, which is intended to make it easier to access the services. In addition to access to the tools, news on the topic of AI will also be presented in future. https://www.uni-due.de/de/digitalisierung/ki-portal/ HR (c) UDE/Dezernat Personal & Organisation “New Impulses from Dublin”: Erasmus Mobility for Staff Expanding one’s perspective for a week, engaging intensively with a future-focused topic and meeting colleagues from across Europe: Annette Hintze from ZHQE took advantage of this opportunity when she participated in the Erasmus+ programme for staff in July 2025. At Dorset College in Dublin, she focused in particular on “AI in Higher Education”. In CAMPUS:INTERN, she reports on her expectations, impressions and personal insights. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1646 (c) Image created with Adobe Firefly New Rules for Applying for A1 and Posting Certificates The previous procedure for applying for A1 and posting certificates for international business travel has been streamlined. With immediate effect, UDE will no longer require these certificates to be applied for before the trip begins – they can also be issued retrospectively. But beware: there are countries for which this rule does not apply. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1652 (c) UDE/Dezernat Personal & Organisation Getting to know UDE: New Formats in the Training Programme Staff Development is expanding its programme next year with new formats designed to make it easier to get started at UDE, while also being useful for long-standing employees. The programme is intended to help people find their way around the university more easily and to make valuable contacts. All dates can be found in the training programme. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1647 (c) UDE/Lars Steinhoff Strengthening Leadership and Management Skills The goal of UDE Staff Development’s “Junior Leadership Development” programme is to promote employees’ leadership and management skills. The programme conveys theoretical foundations for successful leadership work in seven modules and complements these with practical elements. Rector Prof. Dr. Barbara Albert and Chancellor Ulf Richter have now presented certificates to the graduates of the current cohort. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1651 (c) Stellenwerk Further Development of the Student Job Market UDE’s student job market can now be found on the “Stellenwerk” portal. SHK and WHF positions at the university as well as external job offers for students are posted there. This change is intended to help job advertisements reach a broader target group. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1654 (c) Staff Council MTV/Vanessa Kamnitz Save the Date: Staff Assembly for Employees in Technology and Administration 10 March 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Campus Duisburg A shuttle bus transfer from Campus Essen will be provided. Further information will follow. https://www.uni-due.de/personalrat Campus (c) UDE Town Hall Meeting on Campus Development A new stage of campus development is planned for 2026 at Campus Duisburg. Step by step, new buildings and refurbishments will create a place where innovative teaching, internationally competitive top-level research and modern working environments meet ideal conditions. At the same time, the university is focusing on participation: in October, together with Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW, it presented the project to employees and students. The event video (1.7 GB): https://www.uni-due.de/imperia/md/video/pool-ps/intern/2025-10-20-townhall-meeting-campusentwicklung-2.mp4 (c) UDE/Arne Rensing Building LG and Wedau: Status and Next Steps At the end of January 2026, the future UDE buildings in the Duisburg-Wedau area will be handed over to the university. Facility Management provides information on the current status, the next steps and what working in Wedau and in the LG building could look like then. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1656 (c) ISAAC/Hannes Dülberg Award for Excellent Support of International Students This year, UDE has received the Federal Foreign Office award for excellent support of international students in Germany. The honour, which comes with prize money of 30,000 euros, recognises the long-standing commitment of the “International Student Activity and Assistance Club (ISAAC)”, an initiative of the International Office that promotes integration and intercultural exchange in an exemplary manner. https://www.uni-due.de/2025-11-28-ude-erhaelt-preis-des-ausw%C3%A4rtigen-amts-fuer-exzellente-betreuung-auslaendischer-studierender (c) UDE/Arne Rensing Shuttle Bus Service Adjusted As of 1 December 2025, UDE’s shuttle bus service between the Duisburg and Essen campuses has been adjusted. Instead of one large diesel bus, minibuses with ride-sharing for seven people are now operating. Departure times, answers to frequently asked questions, and a contact address for suggestions and change requests during the three-month test phase can be found at: https://www.uni-due.de/de/campusmobilitaet (c) UDE/imobis Closure of Universitätsstraße at Campus Essen From 5 January 2026, Universitätsstraße at the Essen campus will be closed to motor vehicle traffic because the UDE real-world lab “Campus·Street·Lab” is starting there. Through traffic will then be permitted only for construction vehicles and deliveries to UDE. Parking spaces on the street and on the adjacent gravel parking lot will no longer be available. As alternatives, the car park on Reckhammerweg and the parking garage are available. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1658 (c) Shahanara - stock.adobe.com Rail Line Closure between Essen and Duisburg Due to refurbishment work at the Kaiserberg motorway interchange, Deutsche Bahn will close the connection between Duisburg and Essen from 9 January to 6 February 2026. The Rectorate recommends making increased use of hybrid teaching, event and meeting formats during the four-week disruption. https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1657 UDE connects Click to enlarge (c) UDE/Dezernat Personal & Organisation Together for the WDR 2 Weihnachtswunder What began as a private initiative by colleagues Nadja Neu and Britta Oppermann quickly became a joint fundraising campaign in support of #WDRWeihnachtswunder2025: colleagues from the Department of Human Resources and Organisation and many other areas of the university took part. A total of 2,000 euros was collected. The donation was transferred, and on 16 December 2025 it was symbolically presented once again at the WDR glass pavilion on Burgplatz in Essen. The HR department would like to thank everyone who supported this campaign so generously. (c) Uniorchester Duisburg-Essen Festival Concert Premiere at the Mercatorhalle Duisburg Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift? The Duisburg-Essen University Orchestra will celebrate a special premiere at the beginning of 2026: for the first time, the more than 100 musicians will perform at the Mercatorhalle in Duisburg. Under the direction of Karajan Conducting Prize winner Prof. Dr. Oliver Leo Schmidt, the ensemble will present music at the UDE festival concert in the home venue of the Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra—music that combines dance-like momentum, emotional depth and orchestral brilliance. https://www.uni-due.de/2025-12-10-ude-festkonzert-2026 (c) UDE Save the Date: Weiberfastnacht Party 2026 12 February 2026, 1:11 p.m. to 7:11 p.m. Yellow Cafeteria, Building T01, Campus Essen Admission incl. drinks and buffet: 25 / 15 euros Advance ticket sales from 5 January 2026 https://www.uni-due.de/de/intranet/news.php?id=1649 SchaubUDE Space for the University’s Civil Society and Student Activities (c) UDE/Arne Rensing [Click to enlarge] (c) UDE/DTAC [Click to enlarge] A small ceremony on 25 November marked the opening of the first of two new communication spaces at the university on the Duisburg campus. In room LB 0001A, the former Uni Shop, the Vice-Rectorate for University Culture, Diversity and International Affairs and UDE Facility Management have implemented an idea that Chancellor Ulf Richter and Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Karen Shire “had had on their list from the very beginning”. Here – and in another room that will soon be available on the Essen campus – the Rectorate would like to create places that enable encounters, personal exchange as well as creative and civil-society activities. And this deliberately on site, as Richter emphasises: while digital communication can connect people across locations, it “does not replace what makes a university what it is at its core: direct interaction, working together and spontaneous conversations. That is exactly what we are creating these spaces for.” https://www.uni-due.de/2025-11-27-kommunikationsraeume-eroeffnung-duisburg (c) UDE/DTAC [Click to enlarge] (c) UDE/DTAC [Click to enlarge] CAMPUS:INTERN published by the Chancellor of the University of Duisburg-Essen Ulf Richter, kanzler@uni-due.de -------------------------- Editing & compilation: Dr Christoph Czychun, christoph.czychun@uni-due.de Arne Rensing, Lars W. Steinhoff, webredaktion@uni-due.de -------------------------- (c) UDE: 2021-2025