Consulting
Central Ombuds Office for Students
With the establishment of the Central Ombuds Office at the beginning of 2012, the Rectorate implemented a low-threshold contact point for students. The aim is to provide professional and individual advice and support to those seeking advice on all student and study-related problems. In addition, the ombudsman's office has the task of mediating in conflicts between students and lecturers as well as the administrative and central institutions. A particular concern of the ombuds office is to counteract individual and structural discrimination in accordance with the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) and in this way to contribute to a university that is free of discrimination. The focus is always on the individual problem of each case with the aim of finding a fair, appreciative solution. Conflict and complaints management is thus an effective element of comprehensive quality management at the University of Duisburg-Essen. The ombudsman's office acts independently and without instructions in these matters.
Equal Opportunities Officer
The Equal Opportunities Officer supports the University of Duisburg-Essen in implementing equal opportunities and gender mainstreaming at the university. She represents the interests of women of all status groups and works towards reducing existing structural disadvantages. Her specific areas of responsibility include participation in staffing and appointment procedures as well as in personnel development measures, reviewing the implementation of measures for the advancement of women and gender equality as well as participation in the university's committees. The Equal Opportunities Officer advises all relevant stakeholders on equal opportunities issues and supports female employees and students in individual cases.
The Equal Opportunities Office also includes the Family Service Office, which advises you on questions relating to the care of dependents and provides childcare facilities.
The Advisory Service on Inclusion with Disability and Chronic Illness and the Inclusion and Disability Portal
The Counselling Centre for Inclusion in the Event of Disability and Chronic Illness was established at the University of Duisburg-Essen in 2013 and is located in the Academic Counselling Centre for Studies and Career (ABZ). Individual counselling is offered for students with disabilities/chronic illnesses in order to provide information about equal opportunities and participation in studies as early as possible.
You can contact the counselling centre via the Inclusion and Disability Portal. In addition, you can obtain information material on the topic of studying and disability.
Representation of employees with severe disabilities
The Disabled Persons' Representative Council for employees at the University of Duisburg-Essen represents the interests of the following groups of people:
- Severely disabled persons and disabled persons with equal status.
- employees who have submitted an application for recognition
- Employees who wish to submit an application
You can contact the Severely Disabled Persons' Representative Committee during office hours, just like the staff representatives.
Clearing House for Refugees - Perspectives for Studies
The Clearing Centre for Refugees - Prospects for Studies (in the ABZ) determines the individual qualification needs of prospective students, accompanies them in the necessary next steps towards further university qualification and, depending on the qualification, refers them to further offers in the area. With the expertise it has gained since 2012, the UDE Clearing House is also responsible for the transfer of knowledge at the network universities (Bielefeld University, TU Dortmund University, RWTH Aachen University). In addition to counselling and support for refugees (for example), a comprehensive qualification and training programme for colleagues at the partner universities, interested university staff and volunteers has been developed and (partly) implemented.
Mentoring
UDE Mentoring System
In 2008, the UDE pushed ahead with the introduction of the university-wide mentoring system with the aim of providing adequate advice and support for its students. The UDE Mentoring System (UMS) bundles and further develops such orientation, counselling, support and networking opportunities that address the respective subject and teaching/learning cultures on a faculty-specific basis.
DiMento
In addition, there is the DiMento programme, which is aimed at Master's and doctoral students who want to develop individual strategies for the transition to a career. It offers an exchange with professionally experienced mentors in the intended professional field, enables the development or expansion of professionally relevant competences, potentials and soft skills through participation in workshops and lays the foundation for the first professional network with the formation of peer groups.