Credit: Katrin Glückler
Driven To Make a Difference
Nothing would be going on at the University of Mannheim without its students. They come to campus to learn, to do research and to shape their future. But many of them want more – they invest their free time in projects, ideas or officeholding to improve academic conditions on campus or to help others, for example. In this FORUM issue, we showcase some of these student changemakers to highlight their involvement.
Credit: Alexander Münch
The Mannheim Spirit
Student organizations, university governance bodies such as AStA or the departmental student committees, university working groups such as the Sustainability Working Group, or the Diversity Audit – the opportunities for students to get involved at the university and beyond are endless. In our interview, President Prof. Dr. Thomas Puhl and AStA co-chair Clara Schünemann talk about joint projects and the unique spirit at the University of Mannheim.
Credit: Alexander Münch / Gestaltung: uc graphic
Three questions for …
Helping to design new courses, advancing digitalization, or giving students a voice – there are many reasons for student engagement at the University of Mannheim. But who are the people who regularly get involved on behalf of their 12,000 fellow students? And what makes them want to volunteer in committees, schools or departmental student bodies? FORUM asked four students about their motivation.
Credit: Alexander Münch
When Students Get Organized
Whether it’s education, sustainability, or art and culture: The 45 student organizations at the University of Mannheim are embracing a wide range of issues – and some have been around for decades. AIESEC started out in Mannheim as early as 1951, whereas the Google Developer Student Club was only formed in late 2023. In FORUM, Mannheim students Luis van Ledden and Andreas Edte talk about their involvement in the university’s oldest and youngest student organization.
Credit: Alexander Münch
Combining Academics and Service
The Deutschland Scholarship at the University of Mannheim enables students to get socially involved and to pursue their academic goals at the same time. Lennart Böttcher and Carolina Kambeitz take advantage of this opportunity to prepare for their future careers as teachers while also doing good.
Credit: Alexander Münch
Help for International Newcomers
2,000 students in 16 years: That’s the number of international degree-seeking students and local study peers that the International Office has matched so far. Study peers help incoming internationals get started in university – and often they become friends as soon as they meet at Mannheim central station.
Credit: Alexander Münch
Community Service for Credit
Applying your classroom learning in practice and doing good at the same time – that’s the idea behind service learning, a teaching format at the University of Mannheim. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved: Students gain real-world experience working in projects while our community partners benefit from their support.
Credit: Alexander Münch
A Minor in Event Management
They’re a Mannheim institution and now widely known beyond the city of squares: the Schneckenhof parties at the University of Mannheim. Going back as early as 1971, they are organized by students on a regular basis. FORUM met with Emma Potocnik and Finn Argent, co-chairs of the party board at the Student Body Representative Committee, to talk about the “Schneckenhof party phenomenon.”
Credit: Alexander Münch
The Many Colors of Europe
It’s the first of its kind, a “one woman show,” and an ideal platform for European engagement: the ENGAGE.EU Local Learning Chapter at Mannheim. For student and organizer Anna-Maria Rohe, this pilot project is a matter of great personal importance. The interactive format invites students to explore European diversity in a wide range of activities and events.