Events
September 2026Language Course: Basics of the German Language
We are pleased to announce that we will offer the basic German language course again in September 2026. The course is designed for complete beginners and will give you the opportunity to acquire basic knowledge of the German language in order to master simple situations in everyday life in Germany.
Monday, 07 September 2025, 10amInfo Event: Your Rights and Duties as an Employee
Dear colleagues,
You have come to us from abroad to teach and/or do research in NRW. Particularly if you have not yet fully mastered the German language, some things in the work area may not be easy to understand. To support you and in order to prevent difficulties based on lack of knowledge, the Staff Council of UDE would like to inform you in English about your rights and obligations as an employee.
We will address the following topics in a short presentation: Staff categories, employment contracts, job descriptions, working hours (overtime, extra work, home office), teaching loads, leave, public holidays, interruption of work (temporary absences, maternity leave etc.).
There will also be room for your individual questions afterwards.
We look forward to the exchange with you!
Date: 07 September 2025, 10am
Event format: online via Zoom
Speakers: Melanie Goggin and Torsten Schaller, members of UDE’s staff council
Duration: about 1 hour
Registration for this event is possible via the form below until August 31, 2026.
Please note that this event is organised and carried out by members of the university of Duisburg-Essen. While we invite all members of universities from all over NRW to join us, we would like to point out that some of the information might be targeted specifically to members of UDE and can differ from university to university.
Tuesday, 08 September 2026, 15-17hPension Rights for International Researchers (NRW Welcome Services Event Alliance)
This online information event provides an overview of the pension system in Germany and Europe. You will be given an introduction to pension provisions in Europe and the information portal “FindyourPension.eu”. Experts from the German Pension Insurance (DRV) will present key facts about the statutory pension scheme, including entitlements and refund options. The session will also cover occupational pension insurance with VBL, the supplementary pension institution for public sector employees in Germany. The event concludes with a Q&A session, offering you the opportunity to ask individual questions.
Date: Tuesday, 08 September 2026, 15-17h
Event format: online via Zoom
Language: English
Duration: ca. 2 hours
Registration for this event is possible until 31 August 2026 via the RUB's registration form.
This event is part of the NRW Welcome Services Event Alliance and conducted by the Ruhr University Bochum.
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 12:00hWelcome Meet & Coffee
We kindly invite you to use this opportunity to chat with us in a personal conversation, have a coffee and get to know other international researchers at UDE. We will also be joined by our colleagues from the GCPlus. No need to register, just meet us at die Brücke at noon!
Target group: international researchers, all levels
Location: Cafe die Brücke, Campus Essen (opposite of the canteen)
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 14-15hThe German Social Security System
Germany has a reputation for having one of the best social security systems in the world. At its core, the social security system is based on five pillars: health insurance, long-term care insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance and accident insurance.
But how does the system actually work? Which insurances are available for international researchers? What differences apply to researchers with a work contract and those with a scholarship? What are the benefits of statutory health insurance? What do you need to consider when seeing a doctor? Which additional private insurances are beneficial for international researchers? All these questions will be addressed in this information session. Furthermore, the event will provide time to address participants' individual questions.
Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026, 14-15h
Event format: online via Zoom
Language: English
Duration: ca. 1 hour
Registration for this event is possible until 23 September 2026 via the HHU's online form.
This event is part of the NRW Welcome Services Event Alliance and conducted by the HHU Düsseldorf.
06 October 2026, 11:00hKick-Off Welcome Session
On every first Tuesday of the month, the Welcome Service is offering an online info-event for new international researchers at UDE. We will briefly introduce ourselves and our services and will be available for any questions. You do not need to register but can simply join by clicking the link below.
05 November 2026, 11:00hErasmus Lecturer and Staff Mobility
The mobility program of the European Union ERASMUS+ not only offers students the possibility of a stay abroad, but is also open to lecturers and all other employees of UDE. If you are interested in further education and training abroad or would like to gain teaching experience abroad, this event will provide you with all the information you need about the existing opportunities within the program. Please note that Staff and Teaching Mobility is only accessible for researchers who hold a work contract from the university. Guest-researchers and researchers on stipends or fellowships cannot be considered.
Target group: UDE lecturers and employees (German and international)
Language: English
Speaker: Freya Köhler, International Office
Duration: 1 hour
Format: online via Zoom
Registration for this event is possible via the registration form below until 03 November 2026.
Tuesday, 08 December 2026, 10:30-12hThe German Academic Research Landscape (NRW Welcome Services Event Alliance)
A variety of institutions with diverse objectives and interests characterise the German research landscape. In this seminar, participants will learn about the German higher education system, non-university research institutions as well as possible entry positions and funding opportunities for international junior scientists. In addition, the seminar will also present career prospects beyond research positions.
Date: Tuesday, 08 December 2026, 10:30-12h
Format: online via Zoom
Duration: ca. 1,5 hours
Registration is possible until 07 December 2026 via the HHU's registration form.
This event is part of the NRW Welcome Services Event Alliance and conducted by the HHU Düsseldorf.
Events for Early Career Researchers
The Graduate Center Plus (GC Plus) offers a varied program of workshops, information and career events for doctoral students and postdocs.
The full program can be found on the website of the GC Plus.