Events & recreational activities

This event is aimed particularly at our new, international PhD students. Together with the RUB Research School, we will give you an overview of our services. While the Research School will support you especially with your academic questions during your stay, the Welcome Centre mostly advises on bureaucratic matters like visa or residence issues, health insurance, registration matters, etc.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration: via the registration form of the Research School

The University Duisburg-Essen (UDE) is inviting everyone to a joint info-event on the topic of pension provisions in Europe:

In this information session, the international unit at the VBL will introduce you to the topic of pension provisions in Europe and inform about the FindyourPension/ETS e.V. After the introduction, you will receive general information on the German statutory pension insurance, the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV), and the occupational pension insurance with the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL). The latter two presentations will focus on the German pension landscape and look at your rights as a mobile researcher regarding affiliation, pension payment, benefits, and other points of interests. The event will also provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions related to pension provisions.

The event will be held in English. Please find the agenda here.

Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Speakers: international unit at VBL (FYP)
Costs: free of charge
Registration by: June 09, 2025, via the UDE registration form

Is naturalization in Germany an option for me – now or in the future?
What are the benefits and prospects associated with it?
What are the requirements for naturalization?
How does the naturalization process work?

The city of Bochum will answer these and other questions at an information event on the campus of Ruhr University Bochum.

Following a presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask individual questions.

*The event language will be German.

Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 4 p.m.
Format: On site, HZO 50, Ruhr University Bochum
Costs: free of charge
Registration: via the registration form

The Welcome Session is an online event designed to inform you about the first steps in Germany. Topics that are relevant for many researchers before the start of their stay and during the first weeks in Germany will be explained. You will also have the opportunity to ask general questions about your research stay at RUB and about life in Germany. You are welcome to attend a Welcome Session before your arrival, alternatively, we recommend that you attend the first Welcome Session after your arrival. The sessions are offered on a monthly basis.

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 11:00 a.m. - approx. 12:30 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration: by Tuesday, August 19, 2025, via our registration form
Upcoming dates: September 23, October 16

The campus tours are an exclusive offer as part of the onboarding of new employees at RUB. With lots of information about the history and architecture of RUB, new employees explore some of the most interesting stations on campus – including the Audimax with the largest organ of its kind in all of NRW. The tours last about 90 minutes, this specific one will be in English. Registration is required due to the limited number of participants.

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Format: Guided Campus Tour
Costs: free of charge
Registration: via the registration form of RUB's service-portal until May 2, 2025. (If you don't have access to the service-portal, you can register via e-mail as well: zekiye.eken@rub.de.)

Let's meet for a sundowner after work! We cordially invite you and your colleagues to our sundowner networking event for international researchers, hosted in collaboration with the Rectorate and the Welcome Centre of Ruhr University Bochum. Join us for a relaxed evening to connect with fellow researchers and enjoy light refreshments as the sun goes down. Whether you are new at RUB or have been here a while: this is a great opportunity to share experiences, enjoy good company and expand your network at RUB. We will have summer drinks, popsicles, snacks and great music waiting for you.

Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Format: Get-together on campus, outside the Welcome Centre offices (UV building)
Costs: free of charge
Registration: by Friday, May 23, 2025 via our registration form (limited capacity, incl. accompanying persons)

Gasometers, blast furnaces and particularly Zeche Zollverein, once the largest colliery in Europe, are visible reminders of the industrial past of the Ruhr area. What was once the heart and backbone of Germany’s coal and steel industry, has undergone an exemplary transformation into one of the country’s most vibrant regions for science and research. Industrial sites have been transformed into exciting venues for cultural events and recreational activities. Come join us on a guided walk at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore the living history of the Ruhr area first hand.

The tour will start at 11 a.m. and will take approx. 2 hours. After a lunchbreak you will have the possibility to join the group for a second tour at the former coke plant, or you can have time at your own disposal.

*Highlight: this will be a joint event with researchers from TU Dortmund and the University of Duisburg-Essen.

*Please note that there is a maximum number of participants for this event and that a confirmation of your registration by the Welcome Centre is required for participation. In addition to your registration, please leave a deposit of 10€ at the Welcome Centre by May 30. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. You will receive further information on this after registering for the event

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10 a.m. – approx. 4 p.m.
Format: Guided tours, 2 hours each, starting at 11 a.m., the second tour starting at approx. 2 p.m. If you intend to bring children to the event, please get in touch. The event may not be suitable for all ages.
Costs: The guided tour is free of charge, possible costs for train tickets and lunch (for more information on train tickets, please click here)
Registration: by Friday, May 30, 2025 via our registration form (limited capacity, incl. accompanying persons)

Since 2001, the Ruhr region has been putting on an ExtraSchicht on the last weekend in June. On this evening, a wide variety of events can be visited at former collieries, steelworks and industrial plants, museums and more within the Ruhr metropolis – what they have in common is that they all celebrate the Ruhr region's rich industrial history and culture. The multi-layered program varies from year to year - here you can get an impression of last year's program. A shuttle service as well as free travel on public buses and trains on the day of the event makes the transfer between the venues more convenient. The ticket price is staggered:

Early Bird: until May 15, 2025; 15.00 euros
Booking in advance: May 16, 2025 - June 27, 2025; 22.00 euros regular, 17.00 euros reduced
Same day ticket: June 28, 2025; 25.00 euros, no discount
The Welcome Center does not purchase the tickets for the event but would like to give you the opportunity to experience the event together as a group. The time and meeting point for the evening will be announced via email (for registered participants).
Date: June 28, 2025, from 6-02 pm
Format: On site
Costs: 15.00 - 25.00 euros; depending on the time of ticket purchase
Registration: until Thursday, June 26, 2025, via our registration form
Ticketshop: ExtraSchicht-Shop
_{[source: Homepage - ExtraSchicht]}