2nd Research-Alumni Conference

On 26-28th November 2014, the 2nd Research Alumni Conference of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation took place in Berlin in which the KIT participated with a total of 12 international scientists. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation invited scientists and program coordinators of eleven universi-ties, which have been awarded the Research Alumni Initiative.
Dr. Thomas Hesse, Deputy Secretary General of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation welcomed the numerous scientists who had come from around the world at a festive dinner. On the following days, the project was presented to the at-tending international researchers and there were many opportunities to learn about mobility programs and planned actions.
During a panel discussion important sponsors in the German research landscape such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Max Planck Society, the Helmholtz Association, the Leibniz Association, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the Robert Bosch Foundation presented funding programs for international scientists and answered questions from the audience.


Photos: Humboldt Foundation/Ausserhofer

In workshops the universities had the opportunity to discus with scientists on how the relationship with the host institution can be continued in future after the completion of the research project. Future re-search alumni of KIT discussed with the project coordinators of the research alumni initiative of the International Scholars and Welcome Office their experiences as visiting scientists in Karlsruhe and how individual service offers in the area of researcher mobility could be improved even further. Afterwards, the group exchanged views on how the KIT can be specifically recommended abroad as an excellent location for research. Future research alumni expressed their willingness to act in the future as ambas-sadors of KIT and to report in their academic circles about the research opportunities with the aim of convincing further international research scientists about Karlsruhe.
The conference ended with a gala dinner at the Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal) of the former Hotel Esplanade at Potsdamer Platz.


Photos: Humboldt Foundation/Ausserhofer