Archive for May, 2020
University Sports Interim Program Has Successfully Started, Lousberglauf and Sports Day Have Been Cancelled
To be able to offer students sports courses again and at the same time comply with the regulations of the Coronavirus Protection Ordinance NRW, the University Sports Center, or HSZ for short, has developed a transitional sports program, which it launched it last Monday. The transitional sports program is initially still limited to contactless sports without the need for shared sports equipment. So far, the transitional program has met with a positive response. “The sports courses are quickly fully booked, and we see the high demand for sports activities in this extraordinary situation,” says Peter Lynen, Head of HSZ.
Spaced out 3.50 meters from one another, the participants can now finally train again under the tutelage of University Sports Center instructors. The distances are clearly marked on the floor for everyone to see, making it very easy to pay attention to the required minimum distances while also giving everyone enough space for their exercises. Each offer is a 60-minute self-contained unit at the beginner level. Places are allocated by booking single appointments. In this way, as many different athletes as possible can have the opportunity to participate in the courses. The water sports offers at the Wildenhof water sports facility, which can be carried out individually, will also take place again. Canoe polo training on the Blausteinsee has also been resumed, with particular attention to distance requirements. The tennis courts at the Professor-Pirlet-Straße can also be booked again.
Due to the current situation, however, the usual University Sports Center summer events have to be canceled. These include the RWTH FH Sports Day powered by Sparkasse and the Lousberglauf powered by STAWAG.
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Targeted Help for Parents at RWTH
The wider opening of childcare facilities announced today by NRW Family Minister Joachim Stamp also brings relief for parents working or studying at higher education institutions. As of June 8, the current ban on entry to daycare centers and kindergartens in North Rhine-Westphalia will be lifted. All children in NRW will then be able to return to their daycare facility or nursery – with regular but reduced services. Further information on this can be found in German at: https://www.mkffi.nrw/pressemitteilung/oeffnung-der-kindertagesbetreuung-im-eingeschraenkten-regelbetrieb
To provide additional support to parents working at RWTH Aachen University and to enable them to keep specific urgent business appointments, the university’s Family Service has now expanded their short-term childcare services typically offered during university events. It now includes childcare for parents to take part in online events, telephone or video conferences, meetings, job interviews, and the like. Childcare is provided by babysitters from the Family Service’s babysitting network and takes place in the parents’ home.
The offer is aimed at employees of RWTH Aachen University who cannot otherwise ensure proper childcare during the online event and whose presence is urgently needed.
Parents in need of these services are asked to send an email to familienservice@rwth-aachen.de or contact RWTH by phone at 80-93579 well in advance of the event.
Further information on childcare during university events can be found at:
Chair of Technology and Organization Conducts Survey on Work from Home Arrangements
How do you experience working from home? The Chair of Technology and Organization at RWTH’s Institute of Sociology has launched a survey on work from home arrangements, including the design of workspaces, work routines, and the use of digital tools. The survey is confidential and the results are made anonymous so that no individual can be identified. Please note that the questionnaire is available in German only.
DFG Funding for Research Projects
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is now providing additional funding for its funding projects affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions on public life. The Joint Committee of the largest research funding organization and central self-governing body for science in Germany has now approved a package of measures at the proposal of the DFG’s Executive Committee. The DFG announced this today. These measures will now allow researchers to apply for additional staff and material resources through numerous funding programs to continue and complete research work that cannot be carried out as planned. The funding has a volume of at least 175 million euros, to which the program allowance of 22 percent for indirect project costs, which is standard for DFG funding, is added, according to a statement.
The funding that has now been approved is initially intended for projects whose funding has ended or will end between April 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, and which were unable to continue their work during this period due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Moments of a Special Semester
The online semester has provided us with opportunities for capturing unusual or unexpected moments in a short film clip:
University Sports Center’s Interim Program Starts Today
Today, May 18, the University Sports Center will resume operation and launch its limited outdoor program. Due to the special situation, it is not possible to register for an entire course – only individual sessions can be booked. Given the limited capacities, this makes sure that many different students can participate in the courses. Booking of a session is possible up to 24 hours in advance. For all locations, special entry and exit procedures are in place. All sports facilities that are not part of the program remain closed; for these facilities, the ban on entry continues to apply. Please note that changing rooms and showers remain closed. Restrooms are accessible to a limited extent only.
Forther information: University Sports Center
University Archives Accessible Only for Urgent Research Projects
The University Archives will continue to be available for use in urgent cases only, for example, research projects that cannot be postponed. The archives management would like to point out that documents can be made available as digital copies. If the archive must be used on site, this is only possible by appointment. Only one person can be present for research in the archives at a time, the usual minimum distance rules apply, and a mouth and nose covering must be worn. Documents to be viewed are made available in a separate room.
DIES Canceled, Information Events and Education Labs Offered in Digital Form
The Rectorate decided that the DIES special day off on the occasion of RWTH FH SportsDay and Talk Lehre will be canceled this year, as both events cannot be held in the familiar format due to the Conronavirus pandemic. Therefore classes can be held as usual on June 17. Since all excursions have to be canceled during Pentecost week, it is also possible to conduct classes during excursion week if necessary to thereby achieve the learning goals. Aloys Krieg, RWTH’s Vice-Rector for Teaching, has pointed out once again out that all courses should be made available via virtual classroom throughout the semester.
The Rectorate has also decided that all information and taster events for prospective students as well as the education labs or Schüleruni for school students will only be offered in digital form exclusively until the end of summer vacation. Those responsible for bridge courses scheduled to take place before the start of the winter semester will be meeting in due course to discuss how a concept could look like.
Quality Tests of FFP2 Masks and Filter Materials
In collaboration with external partners, researchers from RWTH Aachen University have developed a three-step test process for FFP2 masks and filter materials. Over the last few weeks, a large number of masks have been assessed at the Aachen Chemical Engineering departments AVT.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals have been in need of significantly more FFP2 masks. Currently they are purchasing such masks from new suppliers. With our initiative, we want to contribute to making sure that medical staff are equipped with high-quality masks. Therefore, within a few days, we have developed a test procedure which supports hospitals in their quality control activities,” explains Dr. John Linkhorst, senior engineer at the RWTH Chair of Chemical Process Engineering. “Initially, our campaign was limited to a collaboration with Uniklinik RWTH Aachen. Now we are also supporting hospitals throughout Germany, as well as other institutions, such as fire brigades and emergency medical services.”
RWTH Shop Reopens on Monday, April 18
The RWTH Shop in the main building will reopen on Monday after temporary closure, under adherence to the precautionary measures recommended by the federal and state governments. To ensure a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between customers and to avoid queues, only two customers are allowed in the shop at any one time. A waiting area with appropriate floor markings has been established in the foyer.
In addition, separate entry and exit routes have been defined. According to the regulation of the State of NRW, customers must also wear mouth and nose coverings when entering the store. In addition, the cash desk area has been separated with plexiglass.
The RWTH Shop will be open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 1pm to 4:30pm. For further information is available on the shop’s FAQ page at shop www.shop.rwth-aachen.de. Here you can also find information about the new anniversary sneakers and the other products offered on the occasion of the University’s 150-year anniversary in 2020.