Archive events

Textiles and clothing are essential components of our everyday lives as well as part of our material culture. They have a decisive influence on the image of time (fashion). The subject Textile Design at Osnabrück University is scientifically dedicated to this important element of our living environment. The special appeal of the subject lies in the tension between individual experiences with textiles and clothing in everyday life and the scientific-theoretical and aesthetic-practical analysis and appropriation of social reality in production and consumption. The focus is on the interactions between consumption and production, human image and fashion, economy, design and ecology. The subject's workshops, which are exceptionally well-equipped by German standards, enable intensive technical-design and creative-experimental work. The spectrum ranges from traditional craftsmanship to industrial and modern digital processes.

During the tour, the participants were given exciting insights into the various workshops and the multifaceted research fields of textile design. They were guided by Professor Dr. Bärbel Schmidt and Professor Dr. Birgit Haehnel.

On 12 February, the themed evening "Industry meets Cognitive Science" took place in the Schlossaula, which - supported by the University Society - was organized by the Institute of Cognitive Science and the Business and Industry Club.

The event explored the question of whether and to what extent advances in artificial intelligence can counteract the shortage of skilled workers or weak growth. Even today, many people experience the effects of artificial intelligence both as a threat (hackers, informational self-determination) and as a welcome help in solving problems (traffic control, production control, medical diagnosis).

After introductory remarks by the organizers and Lower Saxony's Minister for Science and Culture, Björn Thümler, experts shed light on the topic of artificial intelligence from various perspectives. Successful examples of the application of cognitive science in companies and opportunities for cooperation between business and science were presented in this context. New fields of research such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and automatic text processing were discussed.

The current refugee crisis is primarily due to events in the Middle East. At the same time, a much more threatening long-term development is being overlooked: the mass migration of tens of thousands of Africans to Europe. Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate, one of the best experts on the African continent, described the causes of this mass exodus in his lecture and appealed to the European states to fundamentally change their Africa policy. Asserate demonstrated how Europe betrays its own values by courting dictators and making so-called deals with unjust states. In his lecture, he showed ways in which targeted support can be given to those states that build democratic structures and invest in their youth.

Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate, himself born in Addis Ababa and a member of the Ethiopian imperial family, has been an Africa consultant to companies for many years and is also a member of the Innovation Advisory Board of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. He became known to a wide audience through his book "Manieren" (2003).

Chemistry vs. physics - who is better at Christmas? - In the last few days before Christmas, there are lots of preparations to be made. Will the fairy lights work? Are there enough Christmas baubles? Are all the ingredients for the traditional Feuerzangenbowle in sufficient quantities? These and many other questions were answered from the perspective of a chemist and a physicist at the fourth Christmas Lecture of the Institute of Chemistry of New Materials at Osnabrück University. Under the moderation of Michael Budke (PhD student in chemistry didactics), the tasks were solved by chemistry didactics expert Prof. Dr. Marco Beeken and physics professor Dr. Dirk Berben from the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences with exciting and impressive scientific experiments.

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The reports are more than just alarming: up to 80 percent of Germany's insects have disappeared in the last 30 years. What has happened? Professor Dr. Wolfgang Wägele from the Zoological Research Museum in Bonn - Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity and President of the Society for Biological Systematics addressed this and other questions on 10 October 2018 in the Botanical Garden of Osnabrück University. He has been researching biodiversity and species conservation for decades and is a sought-after expert on the topic of the dramatic decline in insects.

Under the title "Insect mortality and the need for biodiversity monitoring", he highlighted the new methodological approaches in research that can be used to get to the bottom of the causes of the dramatic insect decline and identify possible courses of action. In particular, he explained what role the biodiversity monitoring method can play and how it works. The great response to the event shows that society is becoming increasingly aware of the explosive nature of insect mortality and its impact on our ecosystem.

On June 9, the Neue Hofkapelle Osnabrück performed an exclusive baroque concert for members of the University Society and the Osnabrücker Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft (OWiG) in the Schlossaula.

The Neue Hofkapelle Osnabrück was founded in 2015 by Christian Heinecke and other professional musicians from Osnabrück and the surrounding area with the support of the Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation. There was already a court chapel at Osnabrück Castle in the 17th century. The ensemble thus continues an old tradition and enriches Osnabrück's cultural life with its concerts, which are always fully booked. During the concert, guests were able to enjoy baroque music from England, including compositions by George Frideric Handel and Charles Avison, played on historical instruments.

The annual general meeting of the University Society took place on May 23. The Society and its members were hosted by the Institute of Islamic Theology.

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Institute of Islamic Theology, the members were invited to a lecture following the meeting entitled "Germany and Islam. How can things continue?" including a tour of the institute. During the lecture, Institute Director Professor Bülent Ucar introduced the Institute and spoke about its socially relevant role and the challenges of the coming years.

Together with the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS), Osnabrück University has two departments that deal with the highly exciting current topics of migration, integration and interculturality in their respective fields. With seven professorships and over 40 employees, the Institute of Islamic Theology is the largest Islamic theological institute in Germany.