Uni-Fest 2026

This text was translated from German by AI / DeepL Pro.

The Ostflügel of the Schloss quickly filled up when the doors opened at around 3:30 pm and the program began with a lecture from the Kids' University. Prof. Dr. Lea Tochtermann, Junior Professor of Private Law and European Patent Law, used the example of the inventor Gyro Gearloose from Duckburg to explain to the young visitors how laws can, on the one hand, protect an individual’s idea and, on the other, help to increase the collective knowledge of everyone. From 4:30 pm, the audience was able to take part in the interactive science program, where they could, amongst other things, find out about psychotherapy at the Otto Selz Institute and try out a chatbot developed as part of the TransforMA collaborative project, which simulated a psychological counselling session.

In addition, visitors were able to engage directly with researchers, either individually or in small groups: in the format ExpressWISSEN, for example, four academics spent an hour answering questions on the topics of ‘smart homes’ and ‘migration decisions’. The talks at the Science Marathon offered further insight into research at the University of Mannheim: four researchers spoke, amongst other things, about the use of ChatGPT in psychotherapy and the global decline in birth rates, along with its potential consequences. The science program concluded with the ‘WISSENsdurst’ bar discussion in the packed Café EO: following a short keynote talk, Prof. Dr. Cornelia Ruhe and Prof. Dr. Thomas Wortmann discussed the educational strategies of the New Right with the interested audience.

The first acts to provide musical entertainment were the newcomers Salemn and LOHR from the Bandsupport Mannheim music promotion program. They were followed by performances from CLARSTEN and Daniele Puccia from the Popakademie Mannheim. The university’s musical initiatives were also represented at the Uni-Fest: in the Aulas, the university choir and a jazz combo from the university big band showcased their musical talents – whilst the actors from the university theatre had the audience in stitches with their improv comedy.

In addition, visitors explored various artistic and historical exhibitions on the different floors and learnt about the Elite Sports Scholarship Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region in the MLP Foyer. During a talk, Olympians and former Mannheim students Lisa Nippgen, Natalie Weinzierl and Serafin Schefold, amongst others, spoke about their experiences and sporting achievements. Those keen to get active themselves could dance with the Institute of Sport’s jazz dance group or have a go at the long jump. Many interested visitors also stopped by the stands to find out more about the university’s faculties, guest student program and the various student initiatives. The event was rounded off with guided tours of the Schlosskirche, the library in the Schneckenhof and the campus.

As is tradition, the Uni-Fest drew to a close at the Schneckenhof with the sold-out ‘UNME x Schneckenhof’ party. Four DJs took to the decks and kept the dancers going until the early hours of the morning.