Winners of the Ideas Competition for Students 2015

Begin successfully! Ideas for an outstanding start to your studies?

The University of Goettingen honours student ideas:

The major themes this year were suitable orientation when choosing a course and starting to study, special mentoring programmes for start of studies, and volunteer support.

There were 80 proposals, seven of which received cash and non-cash prizes.

For the first time, the Jury decided only to award one cash prize and six distinction awards. In the future, the Jury hopes that the submissions will be described more creatively and in more detail.

The Jury of five decided in favour of the following submissions:

Cash prize of 500 Euro for: "Generation YouTube"?

Two first-year students should film and comment on their initial steps and everyday life at the University of Goettingen in the style of YouTube blogs.

These videos would be designed for both potential students and students in their first semester, who can be reached via this medium. They would look at topics relevant to everyday life as a student (e.g. choice of studies, application / enrolment, cafeteria, preparatory courses, etc.), but also leisure time, living in shared accommodation, sport and life in the city of Göttingen. More ... see abstract (PDF, available only in German)

In order to help students not only make a good start in academic life, but also settle in to their new lives, ideas were proposed concerning a) how students can become socially involved in their new surroundings and b) how students can receive help with the start of studies from special mentoring.

Non-cash prizes as recognition for good ideas and commitment:

"AUGUST HELPS - a student volunteering exchange"
"Establishing a volunteering / social engagement portal"
"Team Fellow Students"
"Mentoring for students on two-subject Bachelor's degree programmes"
"Day of Student Volunteering"
"Interdisciplinary open evenings (Welcome to Göttingen!)"

The celebratory award of prizes took place on 2 November 2015 in front of invited guests.