In publica commoda

Ideas in practice

The realisation of student ideas can be promoted using funds from resources made available as part of the joint Federal and State programme for better study conditions and higher quality teaching.

The Ideas Competition for Students regularly provides the university with a variety of proposals on how it could improve conditions for studying and learning. A key aspect of this is not only to identify but also to use potential for improving academic quality. With this goal, and with the support of various stakeholders within the university, Teaching and Learning Ideas Management promotes activities and projects for improvements within the university and ensures their sustainable implementation.

Which projects are currently being implemented?

Personal appearance at online events
In this key competence module, all participants will worked out how the personal appearance in video conferences and the communicative competence can be improved. The online course SK.AS.KK-70: Erfolgreiche Anwendung der Online-Interaktion is offered by the ZESS.
Students design e-learning
The Digital Humanisties offer a new self-study unit SK.DH.21 E-learning. With this exercise, students can expand their skills in the area of ​​learning content and strategies and can transfer them to designing digital learning modules.
Gamification in der Lehre
Stud.IP offers a new tool to make learning more fun and to simplify interaction with fellow students and to consolidate knowledge: Lernduell


Europe Certificate
A new certificate is to be introduced with which students can acquire knowledge about European policy issues from various disciplines. With this additional qualification, career opportunities on the European job market will increase.
Accessible subtitling
In future, lecture recordings should have the option of an automatical transcription and/or translation. This would make studying easier for those who have a hearing impairment, but it also helps all students (e.g. when working in a noisy environment, students with children, international students) for easier understanding.
Digital 3D outcrops database
Geological outcrops should be recorded by photo and 3D model in a database so that students can gain experience on "virtual field trips" when they cannot go into the terrain (because of Corona or students with impairments) or if they want to view outcrops around the world.


PEBL – Peer-based Learning
Students should experience a special learning-teaching experience when they learn different competences from each other and develop didactic competences in (intercultural) tandems.
Go abroad: Internships in other countries
With an additional qualification, students should be prepared for an internship abroad and gain insights into the job market, application modalities, language and culture.


Implemented ideas by category:
Support during your Studies

    Green Office
    With the establishment of the Green Office in April 2019, a central facility for questions and issues of sustainability was created. The office bundles and coordinates the activities and initiatives at the university in this area and makes the topic appear more visible.
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    Accessibility site map
    In order to facilitate and simplify the study for students with health problems, the web-based map provides information on the accessibility and equipment of the classrooms in all buildings of the university from bus stops and (barrier-free) parking spaces. The application also offers a room search and a direct link to the online course catalog (UniVZ).
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    Site map (Android-App)
    The digital room finder map (result from the Ideas Competition for Students 2012) is now also available as an Android-App. The the spatial information system GRAS_Geo at the University of Göttingen offers informations about rooms, Points of Interest, IT-infrastructure, accessibility, safety on campus and bus stops near campus.
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    eCampus mobile
    Via the eCampus of Georg-August-University Göttingen you have access to all online Services that needed by students (SB/UniVZ, Stud.IP, FlexNow and E-Mail). Some of them are now usable for mobile terminals.
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    Information portal for students with children
    The project was settled by the family service of the university. In the information portal, those interested can find all relevant information on the subject of studying and children in one place, so that the search for information is greatly simplified and shortened.
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    Subjectpartner programme: Studying with a child
    Since 2013, the subjectparnter programme by the family service of the university wants to support student parents in their studies. Students with children often have fewer resources to network and support each other in their everyday studies than students without children. At the same time, they rarely have an insight into the situation of student parents. Through the formation of tandem partnerships, the project promotes both a better exchange between students with and without children, as well as better networking between pregnant women and student parents.
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    Half-Time Check
    The rather informal evenings offer the opportunity to reflect on the first months of your studies and to receive suggestions for the further design of the first or second semester. During a meal together or a visit to a cultural event, students from different disciplines get to know each other and discover the city of Göttingen together
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    HOPES - help and orientation for students with mental illnesses
    Since Winter semester 2013/14 the psychosocial counselling service (PSB) of the student services organisation (Studentenwerk) has offered a group for students following a crisis. The "HOPES - help and orientation for students with mental illnesses" advisory service provides practical help for successfully coping with study requirements, interruptions to work, and exam phobia.
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    Health Day for Students
    The first Health Day for students of the University of Goettingen took place on 23.01.2013. On this date more than 15 institutions of the university and external partners presented a large number of campaigns and offers on the subjects of activity, stress, substance abuse and safety in the foyer of the central cafeteria. 'Our aim is to make students aware about issues of health promotion. We also want to demonstrate what institutions, contacts and offers there are in this university in the field of health promotion,' says Dr. Arne Göring, deputy head of the central body of University Sports.
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    Cycling-friendly Goettingen
    The major importance of the bicycle in a university town such as Goettingen was the focus of the idea that received a distinction award in 2012. Since August 2013, a multilingual homepage has provided students and other interested parties with an informative overview on the subject of cycling in Goettingen as well as on traffic laws and safety in general. The project also includes offering special cycling courses for international students.
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    Göttingen Gastfreunde
    The Studium International team initiated the "Göttingen Gastfreunde" project. Since the beginning of 2012, foreign students and Göttingen citizens have been brought together as part of this project to give visiting students an insight into the non-university life in Göttingen.
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Course content and additional qualifications

    Introduction of a special qulaification "Digital Humanities" for students of the philospical faculty
    The Digital Humanities certificate program has been available at the institute of the same name since the summer semester of 2019. The courses offer basic digital skills to prepare for professional fields within and outside of science.
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    Studium Oecologicum
    The new course "Studium Oecologicum" has been in existence since 2014. The aim of the interfaculty certificate programme is to consider the issue of sustainability from various perspectives, develop farsighted thinking and action, and thus participate in the design of a society that is fit for the future.
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    Journalistic practice
    In 2014 the Centre for Languages and Key Competencies (ZESS) introduced a new certificate programme, "Journalistic Practice", which combines the existing manifold but disparate range of courses on the subject of journalism within the various institutions and faculties of the University of Goettingen, and combines them into an additional qualification. The theoretical knowledge is applied practically in cooperation on campus media (Augusta, GöHört, UniVision).
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    A change of perspective: studying with a physical disability module
    In 2013 the Centre for Languages and Key Competencies (ZESS) introduced a new course in the field of knowledge and personal skills. The module "SK.AS.WK-16.Mp: A change of perspective: studying with a physical disability - a day in a wheelchair" contributes to a mutual exchange between students with and without a physical disability and provides initial insights into the situation of disabled people. This change of perspective can offer insight amongst other things about the structural barriers to studying.
    Video
    Rhetoric Slam
    Since Winter semester 2012 the Centre for Languages and Key Competencies (ZESS) has arranged a regular "Rhetoric Slam" at the Theater im OP (ThOP) or at the Apex.. As part of the examination for the certificate in Rhetoric, students debate a socially-relevant topic with teaching staff. "The aim of the format is to bring students and teaching staff into discussion with one another on an equal footing. Positions and opinions should be weighed up against one another as part of a genuine exchange of ideas, and for them to be represented as authentically as possible by the speakers," explains co-organiser Anna Jöster.
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    Introduction: Problem-Based Learning
    „"PBL is a concept for teaching and learning in higher education where students acquire specialist knowledge using everyday, real-life issues that are typical to a subject, called 'cases'. Workshops for teaching staff who are interested in using PBL have now been integrated into the teaching and learning in higher education programme. This familiarises teaching staff with the principles of PBL and gives them examples of how it can be used," explains Matthias Wiemer, head of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
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    Psychology in dental medicine
    To help students of dental medicine prepare better for working with a variety of groups of patients, a workshop allows them the opportunity to learn about psychological and communication aspects of treating patients in a systematic and professional way.
    Service Learning
    The teaching / learning concept Service Learning combines academic learning with social engagement in the form of providing services or support to non-profit institutions, so students can make a useful contribution to improving social challenges and problems and do something for civil society.
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Service Offer

    Thinking clearly during the studies? How to equip students to have a critical look at the misuse of alcohol and drugs.
    A team from the Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Clinic for Students (PAS) carried out two surveys: First, students from the University of Göttingen were asked about their substance and alcohol consumption, and then the experiences of organizers of the orientation week were collected. The findings are to be incorporated into information events to raise awareness of the topic as part of the orientation week at the beginning of the winter semester 2019/20.
    Volunteering exchange and portal
    Die drei prämierten Ideen wurden aufgrund ihrer Schnittmengen gemeinsam umgesetzt, um Studierenden den Zugang zu Informationen über ehrenamtliche Tätigkeiten zu ermöglichen. Im Stellenwerk, dem offiziellen Jobportal der Universität Göttingen, gibt es eine Unterseite zum Thema Ehrenamt mit einer Übersicht über unterschiedliche Engagementbörsen.
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    Im Mai 2019 hat die erste Engagement!Messe im ZHG stattgefunden, bei der lokale und regionale Organisationen, Gruppen oder Vereine unter anderem ihr Angebot im Ehrenamt vorgestellt haben.
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    Starter package
    Starting from the proposal "Communication - a problem and issue-oriented guideline for students" the team at the Office of Student Affairs developed an information brochure and numerous websites for first-year students.
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    Campus radio GöHört
    Since 1 July 2009 a team from Students for Students has broadcast regularly on Goettingen city radio.
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    International culture evenings
    In order to strengthen contact between international and national students and provide insight into different cultures, there are Cultural Evenings in the Foyer International every semester. An important element of this is information about study-related options to spend time abroad.
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    Book exchange shelf
    In May 2014 a "book exchange shelf" was set up in Room 1.134 of the Learning and Study Building (LSG) of the University of Goettingen. This is a shelf provided with books that users can take for themselves or add books to. The aim is to pass on books that are no longer needed and achieve a broad-based exchange.
    Room of silence
    The University of Goettingen has provided a "Room of Silence" for its students and staff in the Blue Tower on Central Campus. It offers members and affiliates of the University from all religions the opportunity to meet for individual and communal contemplation.
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    Generation YouTube
    The BLUG of the University of Göttingen offers prospective students and new students in an appealing way up-to-date information about everyday study. It is currently being discussed whether and to what extent an implementation of the "Generation YouTube" idea is needed in parallel.

Übergang zum Beruf

    Online forum for dissertations / theses - combining the lecture room and profession
    The forum is a central platform to help students identify a suitable topic for a dissertation / thesis as offered by a company. This cooperation is designed to improve the practical relevance of studies and simplify taking up a profession.
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    Academic Writing and Careers Week. Together through the application labyrinth
    The Career Service and the International Writing Centre have held a joint "Academic Writing and Careers Week" since 2014, aimed at helping students from all fields of studies to write academic texts, with workshops offering help with the path "Together through the application labyrinth." This programme includes analysis of the student's skills, help creating job applications, and rehearsal job interviews.
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    TeethED
    This new course is being introduced to make students aware of the special aspects of dental care for elderly people. Starting in the pre-clinical semesters, they are brought into contact with older patients, in order to gain experience and overcome their reservations. Tips on dental and oral health are provided to older people and care staff at information events in retirement homes.