Change and digitization do not stop at the University Library (UB). But what will our university library look like in the future? In keeping with its twentieth anniversary, this year has seen a lot of work and not a lot of mess, as a number of structural changes have been made. The roof was renovated and the interior expanded, book collections were reviewed and new media were purchased. The deputy library director, Dr. Christine Lücke, explains where the journey is headed.

A chemical industry that relies on renewable raw materials and renewable energies, whose products are easy to recycle and whose building blocks can be reused again and again in a circular economy. This is what the not-too-distant future of the chemical industry looks like. In the SmartProSys research initiative at the University of Magdeburg, scientists from various disciplines are working together to find out how this transformation can succeed.

Today there are over 25,000 foundations in Germany. They run museums and social institutions, give out schoolbooks, protect forests or fund scientific projects. But why do we even have foundations, what are the benefits for donors and society and how was the reform of German foundation law accomplished? Katharina Vorwerk discussed the influence of jurisprudence on policy with the law professor Dr. Ulrich Burgard.

In the StudierendenWerkstatt of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, students can put the project ideas developed during the semester into practice. It opened its doors at the start of the winter semester and can now be used by all students in every study phase. Among other things, they have access to extensive tools, several 3D printers and laser cutters for wood and metal. Master's student Henri Paetz has already used the StudierendenWerkstatt and is delighted with it.

The new Bachelor's degree course in AI Engineering started at the University of Magdeburg in the winter semester. In addition to the basics of computer science, mathematics and physics, students also learn all about data and AI engineering. After the foundation course, they can choose a specialization. They can even transfer to one of the partner universities. One of the first students is Luise Neumann. She deliberately opted for the new course.

Many university employees do voluntary work after work to give something back to society. Carina Kröber is one of them. She launched the "Swimming Culture" project - a swimming course for adults, especially for international students. This year, the research assistant and her project are up for election as Magdeburg Woman of the Year. Votes can be cast online until 31.12.

There are a number of scholarships that enable young people to study. This year, 24-year-old medical student Anxhela Dautaj was awarded the Otto von Guericke Scholarship. Born in Albania, she recently began her practical year at Magdeburg University Hospital and is involved in various associations alongside her studies.

Autonomous buses, electromobility, intelligent traffic management solutions and individualized door-to-door transport - what used to only exist in science fiction films is increasingly establishing itself in our traffic. In order to develop the mobility of the future, students are invited to submit their ideas to a competition. The best ideas will be awarded with prize money of up to 1,500 euros.

There has been war in their homeland for many months, but they want to study - high school graduates who have fled from Ukraine. To make this possible for them, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, in cooperation with the National Technical University in Kharkiv, has been offering a study program for bachelor's degrees with a double degree since last winter semester. Last year, the Ukrainian students studied online in Kharkiv and diligently learned German. At the beginning of this winter semester, they arrived in Magdeburg to continue their studies here in presence.

How do you prevent incidents in industrial plants? How should we prepare for natural disasters such as floods, fires and storms? These are the questions being addressed by students in the Safety and Hazard Defence program. As a cooperation between the University of Magdeburg, the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and the Institute for Fire and Disaster Prevention Heyrothsberge, both the bachelor's and the consecutive master's program offer a variety of insights into theory and practice. This October, the course celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The term awareness translates as consciousness and attention. The new awareness portal of the University of Magdeburg, which went online on October 11, wants to create awareness for discrimination, but also for the quality of studies and teaching. The portal is now intended to stand for the entirety of the university and, above all, to be available to all members of the university who are also anonymously looking for help or contact persons or would like to inform themselves.

On Sunday, October 8, there will be another election in Germany: This time, it's about the state parliaments in Bavaria and Hesse. If you look at the media coverage, you regularly come across the first figures on how parties might perform. But what exactly do these figures actually say? How much should we rely on them? And are forecasts, projections and co all the same? Political scientist Dr. Benjamin Höhne talks about this in an interview.

The University of Magdeburg offers a successful bachelor's degree program in medical engineering. At the interface of engineering and healthcare, subjects such as electrical engineering, physics and mathematics are just as much in focus as anatomy and computer science. The course itself is closely linked to the "Stimulate" research campus. State-of-the-art research and development work is carried out in Magdeburg's Port of Science, with the help of which new solutions and imaging technologies for medical procedures are developed.

The provision of free menstrual products in public spaces is repeatedly the subject of polarizing debates. There are frequent discussions about necessity, feasibility and financing. At the University of Magdeburg, a pilot project started on July 1, 2023, which sets a clear signal with the installation of 10 dispensers for period products. This is an important topic, since at the University of Magdeburg alone, an estimated 42% of all students need menstrual products.

New surroundings, new opportunities? What is it like to start over in a foreign country? While still in Syria, Mohamad Alhussein Saoud earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics at the University of Aleppo. Today, he is working on his doctorate - in Magdeburg.  After arriving as a refugee in 2015, he first became passionately involved with other refugees, and now also with students at the University of Magdeburg.

Dr. Carolin Mehlmann and Prof. Thomas Richter are currently at the North Pole for a research project on climate change. Together with around 40 other researchers, the mathematicians are taking part in an expedition to collect data on changes in the central Arctic. They reached the North Pole by ship at the beginning of September and report on their experiences and initial findings.

Since 2008, motor sports enthusiasts from all departments have been able to get involved with the student initiative UMD Racing e.V.. Together, they develop and build their own racing car with which they compete in the "Formula Student" race at the Hockenheimring, an international competition among students. In less than a year, a Formula car is created in interdisciplinary teamwork - since last year even exclusively with electric motors.

The shortage of qualified teachers has continued to grow nationwide in recent years and has become a serious problem for the education system. This makes it all the more important to get people excited about the teaching profession. Wolfram Richter wanted to do something about the shortage of teachers - and opted for alternative entry.

Scientists and scholars from all over the world keep coming to Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg thanks to an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship. A fellowship from the Foundation is considered a high honor. Currently, Prof. Dr. Evangelos Tsotsas from the Institute of Process Engineering is hosting Dr. Narjes Malekjani from Iran. Lisa Baaske spoke to the Humboldt Fellow about her research, her goals and what it means to her to be a Humboldtian.

With the Master's degree program in Medical Systems Engineering, the University of Magdeburg offers students the opportunity to develop new systems and procedures for research and application in medicine. Pauline Mothes is now in her third semester of Medical Systems Engineering. One of the reasons she chose the master's program was the Tissue Engineering working group, which has been active at Magdeburg University since November 2018.

The student initiative "FlaR" offers a racing bike rental service that is not only aimed at students. Anyone interested in road cycling can borrow a bike for up to 3 months and then pedal hard. The feedback from the rental service has been consistently positive so far and shows that the demand is there.

Pizza, packages, movies - in our time we can have everything at any time, especially if we live in the city. Many needs can and should be satisfied in the shortest possible time. This is especially true in cities. For many services and products, we don't even have to leave our homes. But how does this actually work? Service companies, or rather their employees, are not waiting to bring us our packages right now. Or to deliver that one chip from the supermarket to our doorstep that we're craving right now. Because it can hardly be economical. Nevertheless, there are now many companies that offer this.

February 20 is Social Justice Day. An important concept for a democratic welfare state in which we live in Germany. But what exactly does social justice mean and can we really achieve this ideal state in times of inflation and climate change? And if so, how far away is Germany from social justice? Economist Prof. Dr. Andreas Knabe talks about this in an interview.

In Magdeburg's Port of Science, an urban medical technology high-tech center will be created in the coming years. Initiated by the STIMULATE research campus of the University of Magdeburg, the transfer of medical technology research and new technologies from university science to industry will be organized there. Research findings can quickly find their way into the regional economy due to the immediate proximity to start-ups and spin-offs.

What happens when a book falls off a table? Why can we ride a bicycle? Why does the earth revolve around the sun? All of this can be explained physically, because the laws of nature accompany us every second of our lives and form the basis for understanding our world. This makes it all the more important to get young people excited about STEM subjects - mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology. With this goal in mind, the "Physics Marathon 2023" started for the first time on May 22, 2023.

Via the introduction of electricity (2.0) and the use of electronics and IT (3.0), the transformation of industry is now leading to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 - characterized by intelligent, self-organizing plants and machines. Together with companies from the mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and software industries, Prof. Christian Diedrich's group is working in the "Industrial Digital Twin Association" founded in 2021.

The University of Magdeburg offers something unique: a sustainability certificate, or NAO for short, an additional course of study. Students receive the certificate in addition to their diploma. Former students Lina Koch and Karla Ruiz-Hussmann tell us why you should definitely take advantage of the opportunity. They are among the first people to receive the NAO.

After 2035, no new cars that run on diesel or gasoline may be registered in the EU. E-fuels, synthetically produced fuels, are an exception. In theory, this sounds like a good alternative to fossil fuels. Can designer fuels really play a part in green mobility? What are their limits? What other alternatives are there, and will mobility be a luxury good in the future? Prof. Rottengruber talks about this in an interview.

BIPoC - that stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. At the University of Magdeburg, a BIPoC department was recently founded with the goal of creating a place where students can meet, exchange ideas and network. It was founded by two students, Laila Hammouda and Eli Santiago. With their actions, they not only want to create a space for exchange for their target group, but also advocate for racism awareness at the university.

Getting a therapy slot for mental health problems is a real challenge in Germany - there is too much need for too few slots. That's why Prof. Florian Junne is studying how digital services can be used to provide care for patients with eating disorders, for example, via telemedicine. The first results show: The feedback and the success of telemedicine are positive. This gives patients hope for the future.

For some months now, artificial intelligences have been causing a stir and discussions, such as the AI model ChatGPT. With the opportunities also comes concerns about dangers. The public and politicians are demanding rules for data protection aspects, fundamental rights issues and discrimination. In an interview, AI expert Jun.-Prof. Siegert talks about the dangers, possible regulations, but also what opportunities AI-based programs offer.

In the student magazine "tja?!", students take a critical look at major topics once a semester. The idea for the magazine came about at the end of 2020 as part of a project module. In the meantime, the third issue has already been published, which deals with the topic of power. The team is still looking for contributors so that the next issue, "Social Inequality & Injustice," can be published independently.

A stay abroad not only looks good on your resume. The experiences and adventures leave their mark on you for a lifetime. That's why Magdeburg University offers students and employees many opportunities to discover other countries - whether in Europe or around the world. One who has taken advantage of these is Merle Gorial. She is currently in South Korea to spend a semester abroad.

Financial crisis, refugee crisis, Brexit, Corona crisis, energy crisis - for more than a decade, Europe has been in crisis mode. But what are the causes, what are the consequences? Does Europe have a systemic problem? EU expert and holder of the Monnet Chair at the University of Magdeburg, Prof. Eva Heidbreder answers these questions in conversation. She researches European transformation processes and how the crises have changed Europe.

To get an athletic balance to their daily study routine, students can attend countless sports courses at the University of Magdeburg - including a road cycling course. The course has also given rise to a student initiative called FlaR Cycling Club, which pedals together not only in Germany. Members of the initiative spent 7 days preparing for the upcoming cycling season at the FlaR Cycling Camp in Mallorca.

Since the last winter semester, it has been possible to study the English-language Master's degree in Biomechanical Engineering at the University of Magdeburg, which combines engineering and biology in a unique way. Students Faisal Reza and Rebecca Höpfer are among the first to graduate in the field.

How great would it be if young and old could do sports together? This is precisely the approach taken by the "Family in Motion" sports program offered by the University of Magdeburg Sports Center. Several times a week, families meet with trainers from the sports center to engage in physical activity, primarily in the fresh air. The exercise concept is based on the sport of calisthenics, which has enjoyed increasing popularity for several years.

The CO2 price was introduced in January 2021. The revenue is to be used to finance climate protection measures.  But hardly any Germans even know about it - partly because it is so small that people don't even notice it. And yet the CO2 price is not accepted by the population. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the Institute of Psychology at the University of Magdeburg. So do Germans not care about climate protection? Ronja Gerdes talks about this in an interview.

If companies want to be successful, they can no longer avoid digital work processes. Even small craft businesses such as carpentry shops can benefit from digitization and develop a competitive advantage. In the Cloud Academy at the University of Magdeburg, which is unique in Europe, they learn how to set up a cloud in their company and use the corresponding digital technologies.

Swimming 800 meters, cycling 20 kilometers and running 5 kilometers - Kathrin Rehfeld took on this challenge last year at the university triathlon. For the sports scientist, participation was exciting in two ways: overcoming her own limits while collecting data for her research and teaching. She told us how she fared during training and the final competition.

Every day, when we use our computer or smartphone, we leave behind lots of digital traces. All this data is used to create personality profiles for which targeted advertising is placed with the help of predictive algorithms - tailored to the personality behind the user profile. Political decisions can also be influenced by specifically placed incentives. A research team at Magdeburg University is therefore looking into security in the digital world.

When they hear the word “evolution”, the majority of people think of Darwin and the history of the development of species, but not of algorithms. But this exactly what Tobias Benecke is talking about when he speaks of evolution. This is because, as in many other areas of science, he too uses concepts from nature to drive forward scientific progress and rethink the world. More precisely, Tobias Benecke’s research is about evolutionary algorithms.

Because of the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Dr. Richard Sufo from Cameroon can conduct research at the University of Magdeburg for two years at the Chair of Political Science with a focus on sustainable development. With his work he wants to encourage science, politics and society to use all available knowledge to stop climate change. Lisa Baaske spoke with him about his research, his goals and what the fellowship means to him.

At the University of Magdeburg, studying is not the only option; you can also learn a variety of professions. Not for long now, the photography apprenticeship has been one of them. Hannah Theile is the first "foto trainee", as she is affectionately called by her team, i.e. the first apprentice in the field of photography at the university. She plans to complete her photography apprenticeship this summer. During her training, she had the opportunity to complete an internship in Barcelona. For this she is now receiving the Europe Passport.

In Germany, historically grown, there is actually a clear separation between academic and vocational education. However, a model experiment in the 1970s showed that the combination of these parallel worlds was extremely well received by young people. The dual courses of study were born and are becoming increasingly popular. However, uniform standards have been lacking up to now. That's why Prof. Dina Kuhlee and her team are investigating which concepts are most successful.

Matthias Scheer works on the second floor of Building 10 in the IT department for the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. As far as that goes, it's nothing out of the ordinary. However, if the elevator breaks down, he goes home again - because he is dependent on a wheelchair and therefore also on the elevator to get to the office. He tells us how he copes with a normal working day.

The answer to this question is just that: diverse! It depends on the context in which the word is considered. It depends on what focus is to be placed on its meaning. At universities, diversity means that a variety of university members interact with each other, exchange ideas, influence each other, but also their environment, and learn and develop from and with each other. We asked around campus: What does diversity mean to you? The answers were varied and open up completely different perspectives on diversity.

Since the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the topic of inclusion has gained momentum. In cooperation with the Pfeiffer Foundations in Magdeburg, the inclusive continuing education program, “Workshop Uni” was launched in the summer semester. This is aimed at adults working in sheltered workshops and teaching staff. Moreover, as part of the project, students help develop new inclusive adult and continuing education formats and materials.