On April 10, 2025, the time had finally come: UW/H invited new employees to a very special Welcome Day - for the first time in this form, but with the usual openness that makes UW/H so special. The aim was to get to know the university, its culture and, above all, each other better.

Video messages from all areas of UW/H surprised those present right at the beginning with humorous insights. The a cappella choir "UW/H Voices" delighted the audience with the "Wittenlied".

The university in three words

Stefanie Krischnak (Head of Human Resources Development) and Matthias Dreischulte (Deputy Head of Human Resources) charmingly and pointedly guided the audience through the morning. One of the highlights was a Q&A session with the Executive Board, during which the participants were able to gain exciting and sometimes surprising insights into how UW/H sees itself. UW/H President Prof. Dr. Martin Butzlaff was asked to describe his university in three words. The answer: "Lively, warm, exhausting."

For Chancellor Jan Peter Nonnenkamp, UW/H is more than just a workplace - it is a "magical place". It was emotional statements like these that made the day an event that went beyond simply getting to know colleagues. The topics of responsibility, research and teaching were addressed as well as the diversity that is lived every day at UW/H - all of which gave the participants a comprehensive impression of the core of our university.

Creativity and networking

In interactive sessions, the new employees also had the opportunity to get to know each other better. The task: to find common ground. The answers were as varied as the participants themselves. Whether it was a love of sneakers, the joy of walking or similar professional interests - the groups had a lot to discover.

During the speed dating event, they got to know nine different areas of the university. From the departments to central administrative units and the Works Council to the Presidential Board: the areas introduced themselves, their tasks and perspectives. This resulted not only in a quick, but also a very intensive exchange, which created numerous new contacts and points of contact.

Diversity and sustainability as a lived reality

It also became clear that the UW/H is much more than just a workplace: for example, a musical performance was presented in which Bettina Meiners, a dentistry student with opera training, performed on the piano together with Alexander Jakobidze-Gitman, pianist and member of staff - an impressive example of the diversity lived at the university. The sustainability project "Feldversuch" was also presented by project coordinator Stella Bünger, in which regional and seasonal products go directly from the field to the plates in the cafeteria - a practical example of how ecological responsibility is integrated into everyday life at UW/H.

Together at the end

Existing employees were also cordially invited to the end of the day. They formed the letters "UWH" with their new colleagues for a joint photo. Afterwards, a get-together with finger food provided ample opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere, exchange ideas and deepen the newly established contacts. The Welcome Day shows: At UW/H, you are not just an employee, but part of a lively community. If you start like this, you certainly won't stay "new" for long.