A look back at the first DUHN Winter School 2025
From 15 to 23 of November 2025, a total of twelve students and one lecturer from the fields of Chemistry, Physics and German studies from Ukraine were guests at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). The occasion was the first DUHN Winter School 2025: ‘Interdisciplinary perspectives on supporting Ukrainian science and education’, which promoted academic exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration between Ukrainian and German participants.
The Winter School programme included both subject-specific and interdisciplinary elements. The subject-specific sessions for Chemistry and Physics students focused in particular on practical laboratory work. The participants independently carried out experiments in the fields of Solid-state and Colloid Chemistry in the UDE laboratories and presented their results at the end of the Winter School. This laboratory work at the UDE, which helped to deepen their existing knowledge, is very important for many of the students, as they currently have only limited or no opportunities for experimental work at their home universities due to the russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The students also gained an insight into modern microscopy techniques. Under the guidance of Dr. Kateryna Loza, a demonstration was given at the University of Duisburg-Essen using the Apreo S LoVac Scanning Electron Microscope to show how various materials and structures can be examined at the micro- and nano-scale. The joint examination of different objects not only provided a vivid insight into how electron microscopy works, but also encouraged discussion and sparked the participants’ curiosity about working with modern scientific infrastructure.
The Ukrainian group for German as a Foreign Language (DaF group) worked on collaborative tandem projects alongside DaF/DaZ Master’s students from the University of Duisburg-Essen. In terms of content, the tandems explored, among other things, media portrayals of Germany in Ukraine and portrayals of Ukraine in Germany, along with the associated narratives. Each tandem also produced a podcast in which the participants reflected on their experiences, perspectives and insights gained during the Winter School. In addition, the students took part in a workshop on the theme of ‘Language through Art’ at the Museum Folkwang and explored aspects of regional studies and comparative linguistics in a workshop using texts by Paul Celan and Rose Ausländer.
Interdisciplinary activities complemented the academic work and served to foster cultural exchange and social networking. These included guided tours of the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visits to the chemistry laboratories, group city tours, and visits to Christmas markets in the Ruhr region.
The aim of the winter school was not only to promote sustainable subject-specific and interdisciplinary learning processes but, in particular, to strengthen links with the Ukrainian Partner Universities at student level. Furthermore, participants had the opportunity to get to know the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Ruhr region as a centre of science and culture.
To see more photos from the DUHN Winter School 2025 at UDE klick here.