For German scientists who work internationally – particularly in North America – the Annual Conference of the German Academic International Network (GAIN) held on 25-27 August and the associated Talent Fair once again offers a virtual platform for information related to Germany as a science hub and a place to do research. Postdocs and early career researchers as well as successful researchers from all over the world get together for a number of workshops, science slams and round tables with representatives of science, politics and business in Germany.
Once again, Rector Prof. Wolfram Ressel is playing an active role in the 2021 Annual Conference in his capacity as TU9 President. Together with Prof. Volker Epping, TU9 Vice President and President of the Leibniz University Hannover, he will be organizing a workshop moderated by TU9 Managing Director Dr. Nicole Saverschek titled “Appointments: Applications, Procedures, Dos and Don’ts”, which will tell potential returnees about the opportunities available and the requirements for successfully applying to technical universities.
The Stuttgart stand at the accompanying Talent Fair however will focus on the career opportunities available at the University of Stuttgart. A two-person advisory team, Dr. Wolfgang Holtkamp, Senior Advisor International Affairs, and Saskia Zocher from the Department of European and International Research Funding, will answer any questions from interested parties in the virtual chat.
New format from 2022
The GAIN Annual Conference was first held in 2003, and is a joint event held by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Research Foundation (DFG). After the second Annual Conference in a row to be held online, the organizers already have plans in place to revamp the format. From 2022 onwards the event will not only be held in person again, but organizers also plan to hold it in Germany every two years. The next GAIN Annual Conference is therefore due to be held in Bonn for the first time.