Discover the future of natural sciences: Summer University 2025 in Essen!

Discover the future of natural sciences: Summer University 2025 in Essen!

Registration for the Summer University of Natural and Engineering Sciences (SUNI), which will take place from August 18 to 21, 2025 at the University of Duisburg-Essen, begins on July 31, 2025. This event is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is aimed at students aged 15 and over who are interested in natural sciences and engineering. SUNI offers participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in various subject areas through interactive lectures, practical workshops and laboratory experiments. The comprehensive program also includes exciting workshops such as “Slimy & Smart”, which cover ecologically relevant topics relating to snails and parasites. Another workshop will focus on the links between medicine and gender, while laser technology will be examined in another workshop.

An innovation this year is the integration of the university medicine campus, which particularly emphasizes the interfaces between natural sciences, technology and medicine. As part of a contact course, participants can explore real career fields in industry and research, including visits to the Ruhr Association in the water industry as well as to the fish lift at Lake Baldeney and the sewage treatment plant in Essen Kupferdreh. Important topics such as the importance of fish lifts and water treatment are covered here.

Equal opportunities and costs

Particularly noteworthy is the commitment to equal opportunities. Originally started for girls, anyone interested has been able to take part since 2012. The event also offers an excellent opportunity to make contacts and find out about your own study options. The participation fee is 35 euros, including cafeteria food.

Registration is now possible via the University of Duisburg-Essen website. Contact details are also available: Dr. Regina Häuser (Diversity Support Center) can be reached at 0201-183-4716, while Kristina Spahn, the Central Equal Opportunities Officer, can be contacted at 0201-183-4010. Dr. Eva Willmann is available at 0201-183-4014. Inquiries can also be sent by email to schuelerinnenprogramme@uni-due.de. Interested students can find further information here uni-due.de.

Concepts for study orientation

The Summer University's offering is not only important locally, but also complements the diverse study orientation offerings in regions, such as those offered by various programs at the RWTH Aachen be promoted. There, students can experience in a variety of learning laboratories how exciting MINT subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) can be. This diversity of educational approaches not only helps young people discover their interests, but also helps nurture talent in these essential disciplines.

The combination of a wake-up call for an increased interest in science and a professional orientation is central to the young participants' future choice of study. Initiatives like SUNI and the RWTH Aachen programs are serious steps in the right direction.