The project
Based on the main objective of a university to qualify students as specialists for a profession in the world of work or in science with rapidly growing demands and the related definition of academic success, this project aims to strengthen and develop interdisciplinary (social) skills of students linked to the specific challenges and content of a science and engineering degree programme. A particular focus is on supporting female students as an underrepresented group in the majority of science and engineering degree programmes at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The programme is being implemented in six sub-projects at TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
Project duration: 01.04.2024 - 31.03.2026
Funding from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus)
News
The project kick-off meeting took place on 6th March 2024, at which the implementation and schedule of the two-year project were discussed. Many students can now benefit from the numerous workshops and programmes as part of the project.
The first events and workshops have already been scheduled and corresponding information and advertising measures for students, university members and those interested in participating in the programme have been launched.
The Science Sisters mentoring programme was launched on the 8th of May! The exciting mentoring programme is aimed at female students who are about to graduate and are looking for guidance for their professional future. With workshops, inspiring discussion rounds and peer group meetings, Science Sisters offers a valuable platform for exchange and professional development.
Through the support of experienced mentors, participants can benefit from their knowledge, expand their network and actively shape their careers.
The sub-project is a collaboration between the Graduate and Research Academy, headed by Dr. Kristina Wopat, and the Institute of Nanoscale and Bio-based Materials, headed by Prof. Dr Yvonne Joseph. Dr Yvonne Joseph.
On the Science Sisters Mentoring Programme:
Sub-project 1: "FemStudySuccess"
Design and implementation of a mentoring programme for female students at TU Bergakademie Freiberg as a structural measure to increase academic resilience. As part of the programme, additional social resources are created that serve to improve coping with everyday university life, while role models are identified with regard to personal development and future careers.
The mentoring programme consists of the following components:
- Mentoring tandems
- Peer mentoring
- Workshops
- Digital alumni fireside chats.
The programme is implemented in cooperation with the Rectorate Commission on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, the Graduate and Research Academy and the Freiberg Alumni Network.
Sub-project 2: "ARMINT"
ARMINT is the first programme to focus on the systematic, gender-sensitive and inclusive development of academic resilience as a key protective factor against mental stress and illness. To this end, the teaching of subject content is being redesigned with systematic resilience development in mind and mental training tools are being provided.
First-year students are supported in building academic resilience and developing self-efficacy through the following measures:
- Integration of mentoring tools
- Development and use of a toolbox for mental training
- Promoting the acquisition of digital skills to strengthen study skills.
The sub-project operates in cooperation with the psychosocial counselling service of the Studentenwerk, the Saxon Network for Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and E-Learning (ONYX) in collaboration with BPS GmbH, Hochschuldidaktisches Netzwerk und Beratungsnetzwerke (HDS)
.
Sub-project 3: "WomenFutureMetals"
The aim of WomenFutureMetals is to increase the presence and success of women in international degree programmes. The aim is to boost the self-confidence of female students and create an inclusive study environment, which has a positive impact on academic success and promotes gender parity in particular.
The following measures are envisaged in the course of the project:
- Establishment of a competence centre
- Public contract series by female professionals
- Equal opportunities workshops for admissions staff
- Technical training for teaching staff
- Organisation of hackathons and development of solutions for innovation challenges (promotion of team spirit, problem-solving skills)
- Sponsorship of interdisciplinary research visits.
The sub-project works in cooperation with the departments of TU Freiberg, partner universities in Germany and the EU as well as industrial partners for research internships and hackathons.
Sub-project 4: "Women's Mining Club"
The Women's Mining Club aims to increase the proportion of women on the Geotechnics, Mining and Geoenergy Systems, Geoengineering and the international Sustainable Mining and Remediation Management, Groundwater Management and Advanced Mineral Resource Development degree programmes in the medium term. This is promoted through the exchange of experiences between the older and younger semesters, exchanges with women who work successfully in mining or related disciplines, as well as through networking and mutual support.
Project content:
- Events organised by the Women's Mining Club
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Awareness-raising.
The sub-project works in cooperation with former successful female graduates and their companies.
Sub-project 5: "The future of geoengineering"
The aim is to reduce the number of students dropping out, increase the attractiveness of the geoengineering degree programme and better prepare graduates for entry into professional practice. This is to be achieved by modernising or supplementing the traditional course content while taking new digital technology into account. Training new digital skills, facilitating career changers, developing enthusiasm and commitment to the subject area in an interdisciplinary context.
Project content:
- Creation of learning materials (tools, models, audio contributions)
- Use of learning materials (transfer of new materials and tools to lectures and in-house doctoral seminars in close cooperation with practitioners)
- Creation of sample documents for the new EUROCODES (EC-7).
The sub-project operates in cooperation with the practice partners VFG, BGE, BAW, various companies in the mining industry, Freiberg Geotechnical Association.
The integration of the project results takes place in the international course "safe deep mining" (in cooperation with the Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria and Silesian University of Technology Gliwice, Poland).
Sub-project 6: Central evaluation, documentation, public relations and transfer
Centralised coordination of the sub-projects with regard to the sustainable use of resources and synergies of the TUBAF network. The sub-project continues to serve as a cross-sectional function for the utilisation of synergies between the sub-projects and has the medium-term task of ensuring the continuation of the sub-projects sustainably beyond the funding period and their permanent integration into the concept of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
Project content:
- Promotion of public relations and communication
- Support and participation in the documentation and utilisation of scientific results
- Support and participation in the implementation of transfer measures
- Evaluation
Project team
| Name | Subproject | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Kristina Wopat | FemStudySuccess | Kristina [dot] Wopat [at] grafa [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Prof. Yvonne Joseph | FemStudySuccess | Yvonne [dot] Joseph [at] esm [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Antje Wehmeyer | FemStudySuccess | Antje [dot] Wehmeyer [at] grafa [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Dr. Constance Bornkampf | FemStudySuccess | Constance [dot] Bornkampf [at] zuv [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Laura Hohlfeld | FemStudySuccess | Laura [dot] hohlfeld [at] student [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Erik Wünsche | ARMINT | Erik [dot] Wuensche [at] math [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Dr. Mateo de Vivanco | ARMINT | Mateo [dot] deVivanco [at] extern [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Christian Gardt | ARMINT | Christian [dot] Gardt [at] grafa [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Prof. Ralf Hielscher | ARMINT | Ralf [dot] Hielscher [at] math [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Dr Claudia Funke | ARMINT | Claudia [dot] Funke [at] physik [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Dr. Madlen Ullmann | Women Future Metals | Madlen [dot] Ullmann [at] imf [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Lena Theis | Women Future Metals | Lena [dot] Theis1 [at] imf [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Viktoria Rafique | Womens Mining Club | Viktoria [dot] Rafique [at] mabb [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Dr. Nils Hoth | Womens Mining Club | Nils [dot] Hoth [at] mabb [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Dr. Michael Kausche | Womens Mining Club | Michael [dot] Kausche [at] mabb [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Alexandra Morgenstern | Future GeoING | Alexandra [dot] Morgenstern [at] ifgt [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Prof. Heinz Konietzky | Future GeoING | Heinz [dot] Konietzky [at] ifgt [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Dr Martin Herbst | Future GeoING | Martin [dot] Herbst [at] ifgt [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Prof. Swanhild Bernstein | Central evaluation, documentation, transfer | Swanhild [dot] Bernstein [at] math [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Romy Kühne | Central evaluation, documentation, transfer | Romy [dot] Kuehne1 [at] zuv [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
| Katharina Rosin | Central evaluation, documentation, transfer | Katharina [dot] rosin1 [at] grafa [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de |
Project financing
The project is funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) and tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament.