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THE EMPLOYEE PORTAL

Fewer shelves, but no less content - space created for change in the university library

Long rows of shelves with dusty books and desks with individual workstations characterized the image of the library for a long time. But digitalization, sustainability, new teaching formats and modern working environments are also bringing many changes to the library sector. So what does a library of the 21st century look like? What must it be able to do? What does transformation mean? Linda Thomas, Head Librarian, presents her ideas for a modern university library in the “Otto ist Transformation” campaign by city marketing organization “Pro Magdeburg e.V.”.

Our library is also facing major transformations. For a good year and a half, users have been experiencing the changes up close day after day - hammering, sawing, sanding, erecting and dismantling scaffolding, moving furniture back and forth. “The building project will officially last until October,” says Linda Thomas, but she also knows that some of the remaining work, including parquet work, could take until the end of the year. Most of the new and modern furniture is already on site, but is not yet usable, as carpenters, electricians and steelworkers are still carrying out finishing work in a number of areas. 

There are many individual and group workstations to make you feel at home.	The last shelving systems are currently being dismantled.

  For example, three of the new room-in-room systems on the second floor currently still have a walk-on roof. In future, the individual and group work rooms will also be bookable from home. The last shelves are currently being dismantled and desks are being moved around the building and then reconnected. So there is still a lot going on in the university library. “We are in the final spurt, but we still need a little patience,” Linda Thomas asks for understanding. “Just because something looks finished doesn't necessarily mean it's finished, which is why some areas are unfortunately still closed for use. However, as soon as areas are finally finished, they will be put into use wherever possible,” assures Linda Thomas. 

Photos: Hannah Theile and Anna Friese

Dr. Anne Herbik took over the project coordination of EU GREEN at our university in July 2024. Nine universities from all over Europe have joined forces to form the EU GREEN university alliance - a European university network for sustainable growth and inclusive education. The aim is to establish a Europe-wide education and research network in the field of sustainable development. Ines Perl spoke to the new project coordinator about her tasks, the challenges she faces, the benefits EU GREEN brings for OVGU and its employees and what EU GREEN means to her personally.

The European University Alliance EU GREEN, of which OVGU is a member, was launched almost two years ago. Where does the university alliance stand now and where does OVGU stand in this network?

EU GREEN here at OVGU, but also in its European orientation, stands for diversity, for values such as freedom and democracy. EU GREEN has set itself the goal of promoting sustainable development in higher education and strengthening cooperation between the member universities. Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present in a way that does not limit the opportunities of future generations.

Since its launch almost two years ago, the Alliance has implemented various initiatives to promote research, teaching and exchange in the field of sustainability. These include the development of joint degree courses, research projects or mobility programs aimed at providing all university members with a broader perspective on environmental and social challenges.

As OVGU, we are an active partner within EU GREEN on an equal footing with eight other universities in France, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Portugal and Romania, contributing our expertise in relevant areas and working towards the alliance's common goals. This includes participating in projects, organizing events, etc. - always with the aim of developing innovative solutions for sustainable development. To this end, we regularly exchange ideas - whether in on-site meetings or online. After one and a half years of EU GREEN, OVGU is on a par with universities in Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Regionally anchored, but with a shared European (values) message.

You are the new project coordinator at OVGU. What are your tasks as coordinator and what are your biggest challenges at the moment?

Everyone in our team or at the European partner universities has different backgrounds, whether personal or professional. What unites us is the so-called “European idea - the European idea” and our enthusiasm for it. In team meetings with our European partners, we speak English with different accents: English-Italian, English-French, English-Romanian, English-German. Integrating this diversity into a message that reaches everyone is one of the many challenges. In addition, we need to secure resources, inspire people to actively participate, make EU GREEN visible at OVGU, launch projects and events, really put sustainability into practice and measure our successes. It is important to define clear goals and regularly review progress.

And it is precisely thanks to the openness of the partners involved and the many committed individuals that a lot can be achieved. I am always grateful for that!

“Our campus will change because the European idea will be much more present,” said the Rector. How will EU GREEN and the European idea be felt on campus, in the daily work of each individual member of the university?

The OVGU campus is already very international. More than 30 percent of current students come from abroad. EU GREEN also means - we do not exclude anyone from international countries outside the EU with the “European idea” - that we want to strengthen the European idea and European cooperation at university level and make this idea visible within OVGU and on campus.

Many people today automatically say: “I see myself as a European”. Despite all the European integration, there are still some hurdles for students in the recognition of their achievements - for example, the examination taken in Ireland at our partner university ATU (Atlantic Technological University) would of course also be a recognized examination at OVGU in the future with EU GREEN. A lot is set to change in the coming years through close multilateral cooperation. Transnational study programs are to be established, joint research projects initiated and sustainable administrative processes created. This is one of the goals of EU GREEN. This will have a direct impact on students and every member of the university - be it in the course of studies, in joint degree programmes, in administration and organization within the university.

Specifically, what are the benefits of EU GREEN for employees?

Certainly participation and the opportunity to be part of a great European idea. Whether it's trips to “Staff Weeks” in Ireland or Italy or European exchanges within the team, access to new infrastructure and resources, the facilitation of work processes. You can take part, get involved, be part of it - through ideas, through everyday work, even if you are not directly involved in EU GREEN as an employee. We offer projects at OVGU that are not limited to Magdeburg and our university, but include all partners. We look forward to ideas from our employees: Europe as a network, the European idea, globalization, sustainability and innovation in general arise from having curiosity, being open-hearted, also treading new unknown paths - thinking “out of the box”. EU GREEN benefits from this, OVGU employees benefit from this, and the location and the city of Magdeburg also benefit from this in the long term.

How can employees get involved in the work of the network?

Specifically: As EU GREEN, we announced a photo competition in spring 2024. The theme was “Diversity and inclusion”. OVGU students and employees were able to take part. The best works will now be awarded prizes in October 2024. As EU GREEN, we are also present at the OVGU's “Market of Opportunities” in October, and for those who are already actively involved with us, we regularly organize an “active meeting”. Employees who do not yet know us are very welcome to come along, get an insight into our work and take part in future or current projects.

What does EU GREEN mean to you personally?

Perhaps two principles of mine that are also important to EU GREEN and will come into play: Even in difficult moments, I want to lead projects to success and bring people together to achieve more. Only together can we bring EU GREEN to life! It is worth it! I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you. All the committed people at OVGU - you are the superheroes who fly through the halls of sustainability without a cape but with unwavering commitment. Thank you for volunteering for the Alliance! You are like the secret ingredients in a grandiose recipe - without you, the whole thing would just be a bland mixture of water and flour. You bring the spice, creativity and good humor that we need to achieve our goals.

Your ideas bubble like sparkling wine and your energy is infectious. May your commitment never cease! And if you ever feel that the mountain is too high, remember: even the biggest mountain was not climbed in a day, but with a good dose of humor and a group of friends and colleagues who cheer each other on, support each other and share ideas!

Thank you very much for the interview, Dr. Herbik!

Participating in RoboCup is an exciting and enriching experience for everyone involved. RoboCup returned to Eindhoven, the Netherlands, in 2024 after exactly 11 years. With more than 2,000 participants from 45 countries in 300 teams and more than 50,000 visitors, RoboCup was an important global event in the robotics scene.

Team robOTTO at the RoboCup in Eindhoven (Photo: privat)

Among the many talented teams, the robOTTO team from our university (in German) stood out in the Industrial category in the @Work league. This league places high demands on the participating robots, which have to navigate autonomously in a 10 x 10 meter arena in order to recognize and grasp objects and transport them to specified locations. The arena is equipped with 0 to 15 cm high tables, walls and obstacles that restrict the robots' freedom of movement.

The challenges of the @Work league lie not only in precise navigation and path planning, but also in stable object recognition using well-trained neural networks. The robots must be able to plan alternative routes if the path is blocked by obstacles and recognize objects on different surfaces such as reflective foils or deceptive patterns. All of these tasks must be completed within a specified time, which puts the robots' speed and efficiency to the test.

Team robOTTO, which has been represented in the league since 2015, consisted of four OVGU employees and two students this year, who are affectionately known as the “OTTOs” by the other teams. Their robot “Euler” once again demonstrated its skills in safe and fast navigation as well as in recognizing and handling objects, even on difficult surfaces. The team mastered particularly challenging tasks, such as gripping objects under a shelf, with flying colors.

Robot “Euler” demonstrated its capabilities once again (Photo: privat)

It was an exciting neck-and-neck race with the SWOT team from Schweinfurt and the b-it-bots team from Bonn. In the end, team robOTTO took second place and proudly took the runner-up title home to Magdeburg. First place went to Team SWOT, which beat the competition with its superior hardware, while Team b-it-bots took third place.

Engagement far beyond the competition

However, robOTTO's commitment goes beyond the competition. For many years, the team has been significantly involved in the organization and further development of the @Work League and has the most active members on the league committee.

The robOTTO team is also actively involved in STEM education for young people. The team regularly inspires school classes and teachers with age-appropriate offers and practical application examples on mathematical and physical topics at the MINTMachen-Festival of the Magdeburg MINT Cluster MagdeMINT.

By regularly participating in public science events in the city of Magdeburg, such as the Tomorrow Labs Festival and the Long Night of Science, the robOTTO team engages in science communication in the field of robotics to get young and old interested in this future-oriented topic and to demonstrate the wide range of opportunities at our university.

The current competition has clearly shown that the team's hardware, which is over 10 years old, is in urgent need of a long overdue upgrade. Otherwise, second or even first place next year is no longer realistic. The robOTTO team is therefore currently looking for interested sponsors, particularly from the industry.

The team is also looking for committed young talent. All university students, regardless of faculty, can take part. The only requirement is enthusiasm and interest in robotics as well as a willingness to familiarize themselves with new topics. The team teaches interested students everything else.

The success and commitment of robOTTO at RoboCup 2024 are impressive proof of the team's outstanding work and the progressive research and education at our university.