In 2015 the university began hosting a series of ‘welcome events’ as part of its strategy development process. The format – comprising a welcome dinner and 2 subsequent lunch meetings – exemplifies the university’s welcoming structures and completes the program of events for new employees, apprentices and newly appointed professors. Since it began, this series of ‘welcome events’ has helped those new to the university to quickly establish an interdisciplinary network and become familiar with the university’s values, visions and strategic goals.
Up High in the Evening
Usually, the two lunch meetings are held after the welcome dinner and involve the same group of colleagues – and participants from previous years – at different location across the campus. Institutes, facilities, or individuals invite new employees to come and experience all the different facets of the university.
This time, however, the event was a little different. The regular second lunch meeting was moved to the evening – and turned out to be a real high point. The rector extended an invitation to take part in a ‘sundowner’ at the Stuttgart Television Tower. He also invited other colleagues to join the gathering who had demonstrated a high level of commitment to interdisciplinary activities, as part of the Stuttgart promotion of interdisciplinary cooperation in research and teaching and shown their dedication to the University of Stuttgart. 70 people gathered at the television tower and participated in a special evening of interdisciplinary dialogue.
Inspiring Speeches
Following a welcome speech from the head of the rector’s office, Dr. Michael Waldbauer; acting in place of the rector, who arrived late due to an unavoidable appointment elsewhere, the guests were then treated to two inspiring and brilliantly presented speeches.
Dr. Walter Rogg, Managing Director of the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS), who helped organize the evening, delivered a speech about the ‘International Building Exhibition IBA 2027 – City Region Stuttgart’. Rogg first referred to the economic, societal and cultural prosperity that characterizes Stuttgart and the surrounding region, and emphasized that this situation should not be viewed as an opportunity to simply sit back and relax. The region is facing great challenges: from environmental protection, to mobility, and its competitive position globally, all the way to the ever-widening rifts between different societal groups. The building exhibition is supported by politicians, businesses, scientists and society as a whole and this could act as the catalyst necessary to instigate future innovations.
Prof. Werner Sobek from the Institute for Lightweight Design and Construction (ILEK) then enthralled his audience with an intellectual and rhetorically captivating speech on the subject of “Building the Future – Research and Innovation in Stuttgart”. Sobek first subtly explained the traditions that have made Stuttgart an internationally renowned location for excellent architecture, building aesthetics and engineering expertise. With an almost dizzying glimpse at the challenges facing future constructions, particularly in terms of the efficient use of resources and population growth, he shed some light on the tradition of lightweight construction in Stuttgart and emphasized the potential for overcoming the gigantic tasks awaiting us in the future. Sobek suggests that the IBA 2017 – just like the first International Building Exhibition, held in 1927 – could function as a focal point and catalyst, with far-reaching impulses that could help us find an answer to the questions: “How and where do we want to live in the future?”
The Setting Sun Accompanied by Evening Colors and Gentle Music
The evening ended with stunning views over the city, the surrounding region and even further afield, accompanied by summer drinks and delicious food. The lounge-like cool acoustic was provided by DJ Professor Stefan Tenbohlen from the Institute of Power Transmission and High Voltage Technology, together with his son. At 10:14 there was another highlight that surpassed even the dizzying heights of the tower itself: the international space station ISS flew by, clear to see despite its height of 400 km. The astronaut and physicist Reinhold Ewald, professor at the Institute of Space Systems, captivated the group with stories about the space station. And he knew of course exactly who was there just at that moment and where and when they will return to earth.
As the sun set, everyone agreed that that the successful evening had made an important contribution to welcoming newly appointed members of staff and had given everyone the chance to get to know each other. Thanks were also extended to Nadine-Aimée Bauer, head of personal development, and her team for the perfect organization.
