Events & recreational activities

The event is aimed at welcoming you to Ruhr University Bochum and helping you settle in after your arrival. In addition to a welcome address by the Rector, the Welcome Centre and other relevant representatives from the university and the city of Bochum will introduce themselves. Find out who can assist you with your questions and concerns so that you are well prepared for your stay at RUB and in Bochum.

We look forward to meeting you!

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 10 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration: by Tuesday, April 14, 2026 via our registration form

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 14, 2026, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration: via the registration form of the Research School

This online information session is intended for international researchers who are dealing with questions related to tax law, in particular income taxation.

During this session, our expert will provide an overview of key topics, including:

• When income tax liability arises in Germany
• How income from research activities conducted in Germany is taxed
• Whether international researchers are required to file an income tax return in Germany
• Important considerations for married couples working in different countries

This session is designed to offer general guidance and to provide a clearer understanding of the German income tax framework in the context of international research.

*Please note: This event is for informational purposes only and cannot replace individual and comprehensive advice from a qualified tax advisor.

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Cost: free of charge
Registration: by Thursday, July 2, 2026 via our 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, May 21, 2026, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration: by Tuesday, May 19, 2026 via our registration form

Next dates: June 18, July 14.

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, April 30, 2026, 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 April 17, 2026. (If you don't have access to the service-portal, you can register via e-mail as well: zekiye.eken@uv.rub.de.)

Let's meet for a Sundowner after work! We cordially invite you and your colleagues to our 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 live music waiting for you.

Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Format: Get-together on campus, outside the Welcome Centre offices (UV building)
Costs: free of charge
Registration: by Sunday, May 24, 2026 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 June 5. 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 20, 2026, 11 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, June 5, 2026 via our registration form (limited capacity, incl. accompanying persons)

This is a digital information session for international and German researchers who are currently employed. The Find-Your-Pension-Team will give an overview on various aspects of accumulating pension entitlements within Europe. In addition you will receive general and concise information about the statutory German pension scheme DRV and the occupations pension scheme VBL for employees in public services.

The event will be in English.

This event is organized by our partners of the NRW-Event-Alliance.

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration by: email to welcome-centre@ruhr-uni-bochum.de

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

The event will be in English.

This event is organized by our partners of the NRW-Event-Alliance.

Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
More Information: on the HHU Website
Costs: free of charge
Registration by: Monday, June 8, 2026, via the Registration Form

In this 70-80 minute digital info session "Academic Life in Germany" on the German academic system, its specific cultural standards and their impact on scientific work, you will learn about stumbling blocks that international researchers must overcome and how to successfully interact with colleagues, professors and academic staff.

The event will be in English.

This event is organized by our partners of the NRW-Event-Alliance.

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 5 p.m. - 6:20 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration by: Monday, June 1, 2026, via email to welcome-centre@ruhr-uni-bochum.de

If you have come 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.
The following topics will be addressed 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.

The event will be in English.

This event is organized by our partners of the NRW-Event-Alliance.

Date: Monday, September 7, 2026, 10 a.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration by: Monday, August 31, 2026, via the UDE Registration form