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The University of Bayreuth and the City of Bayreuth want to work together even more closely in future to make Bayreuth's teaching, research and working environment more diverse. University President Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible and Lord Mayor Thomas Ebersberger have sealed this in a "Letter of Intent".

The university and the city attract international workers, students, and guests, while also being a place of work and leisure for people from the region. This local and international character also permeates everyday life at the university and in the city; it is both an opportunity and a challenge for both the administration and the citizens. The city's Immigration Office and the university's Welcome Services have already been working together successfully for some time, and now the city and university want to further intensify their good cooperation in the key areas of internationalization and diversity.

The first step was a joint workshop. Organised under the theme ‘Let us create Diversity’, the workshop is part of a series of activities to be executed under the project co-named ‘Schee dass’d Doo da bist: Wir Leben Diversität’. The project is a brainchild of the Institute of African Studies at UBT. As a centre of diversity, IAS is committed to promoting diversity within the university and beyond. It is on this grounds that the Institute initiated a partnership with the city of Bayreuth. From a basic idea, this has now translated into a big joint project between the university and the city. More is yet to come as important findings for future measures relating to the challenges, effects, and opportunities of a diverse society were developed and discussed there. The day was planned and implemented by a team from the university and the city, together with the association "Bayreuth ohne Gewalt" e.V. It became clear during the workshop that the university and the city, as some of the largest employers in the region, have a responsibility to embrace diversity and develop it strategically. According to the motto "Diversity does not serve to make the world more colorful, but more just", the city and state want to fill the "Letter of Intent" with life, for example by proactively bundling competencies and activities.

Peter Müller, Chairman of the sponsoring association of the "Bayreuth without Violence" workshop, sums up: "For me, the most important goals as project organizer were to bring together the networking process with the immense expertise and needs of the city and university - and that was very successful. There is a spirit of optimism about joining forces with the resources and opportunities, forming teams and contributing skills, knowledge and experience."

Joint service point of the city and university

This week, a joint service point of the city and university was opened in RW21 as a contact point for new citizens in Bayreuth. It offers support in contacting authorities, finding contacts, dual career issues, advice on starting a business, information, and tips on potential employers, the business location, and the region, including university-related questions.

Service Point of the city and the university at RW2
Richard-Wagner-Straße 21, 2nd floor
​(Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.)

Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, President of the University of Bayreuth, emphasized: "We don't see diversity as an obstacle but as an opportunity. That's why we as a university want to help create more networking opportunities." He referred to the joint projects already implemented by the city and the university. He also highlighted the excellent cooperation between the city's Immigration Office and the university's Welcome Services, which has become a model for other locations.

Lord Mayor Thomas Ebersberger also emphasized the special importance of non-discriminatory coexistence. Mayor Thomas Ebersberger also emphasized the importance of non-discriminatory coexistence and stressed the added value of the exchange for both the university and the city. "The platforms created are intended to promote a competent and

The platforms created are intended to promote a competent, appreciative approach to diversity in all its facets in the city, on campus, in the working world and in leisure time," said Ebersberger.

© Universität Bayreuth

University President Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible (left) and Lord Mayor Thomas Ebersberger at the opening of the new joint service point of the City of Bayreuth and the University of Bayreuth in RW21.

© Universität Bayreuth

The project team with Lord Mayor Thomas Ebersberger (front right) and University President Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible.