Press Release 69/2008

Start of Life as a Student

The KIT Welcomes About 3600 Freshmen – Welcome Event at the Karlsruhe Stadthalle
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On their way towards a new part of life
(Photo by: Hagen Buchwald, Universität Karlsruhe)

About 3600 freshmen are starting their studies in the winter semester 2008/2009 at the KIT. Many of them have already passed the so-called orientation phase offered by the university departments to facilitate the start of this new part of life. The freshmen will be welcome officially by the KIT on Friday, October 31, 18 hrs in the Johannes Brahms Saal at the Karlsruhe Stadthalle.

The freshmen are starting their studies in a rather exciting phase. What does the merger of the Universität with the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe mean for their studies? Students will benefit as far as the student/professor ratio is concerned, underlines the President of the Universität Karlsruhe, Professor Horst Hippler. “On the European average, the student/professor ratio is about 1:20. The ratio here at KIT will be far better, as scientists of the Forschungszentrum will also assume lecturing tasks”, emphasizes Hippler. Moreover, studies at Karlsruhe will combine research and education in a so far unique manner.

As in the past years, Hippler will honor 18 students for their excellent commitment at their departments or in university groups.

In the orientation phase already, each freshman was given a freshman’s backpack by the Career Service that wishes to prepare the students for a successful start into their professional career during their studies at KIT already. Among the main sponsors of the backpacks is the Adolf Würth GmbH&Co.KG.

For a good start at the KIT
(Photo by: Jana Mayer, Universität Karlsruhe)


Apart from the information provided by the Studentenwerk, the General Students’ Committee (AStA), various KIT institutions, and university groups, a central “Freshmen’s Guide to KIT” was published for the first time this year. It contains information on studies, support, housing, on the legislation concerning financial help of students as well as all necessary addresses and opening times for a successful start at the KIT. In addition, an online students portal allows the freshmen to tailor their studies to their individual needs and requirements right from the first day. Registrations at the beginning of each semester and for examinations may be made online. It is also possible to obtain certificates or an excerpt of the centrally stored marks. In addition, students can download lecture documents and information on lectures.

The new students’ magazine “clicKIT!” also is available online to welcome the freshmen. At the KIT booth, interested students may have a look at “clicKIT!” for the first time during the welcome event. In the future, this magazine will be published three times per semester.

Journalists are cordially invited to come to the welcome event for freshmen.

Program – Start 18.00 hrs

Welcome by President Professor Horst Hippler
“Close to the pulse of research: Studies at the KIT”

Mayor Margret Mergen
Welcome address on behalf of the city of Karlsruhe

Image film
“Lead by knowledge”

Andreas Kosmider, General Students’ Committee (AStA)
“Studying does not only mean learning”

President Horst Hippler Honors Students
Awards for excellent student’s commitment

Quiz

No Brain, No Pain! Cabaret

Music: Uni Big Band

The program will be followed by a visit of the information booths and a get-together with professors in the entrance hall of the Stadthalle (1st floor).


The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is the merger of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, member of the Helmholtz Association, and the Universität Karlsruhe. This merger will give rise to an institution of internationally excellent research and teaching in natural and engineering sciences. In total, the KIT has 8000 employees and an annual budget of 700 million Euros. The KIT focuses on the knowledge triangle of research – teaching – innovation.

The Karlsruhe institution is a leading European energy research center and plays a visible role in nanosciences worldwide. KIT sets new standards in teaching and promotion of young scientists and attracts top scientists from all over the world. Moreover, KIT is a leading cooperation partner of industry.

lg, October 24, 2008
Contact:


Monika Landgraf
Chief Communication Officer
Head of Corporate Communications
Chief Press Officer
Phone: +49 721 608-41150
Fax: +49 721 608-43658
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