The Day of Teaching and Learning was held on campus for the first time on April 10, 2024. The Vice Rectorate for Teaching and Continuing Education and the Student Council of the University of Stuttgart (STUVUS), curated a diverse array of lectures and workshops centered around the theme "Learning and Teaching on an Attractive Campus!" These sessions provided ample opportunities for exchange and inspiration. A total of fourteen workshops and lectures were held, and over 30 exhibitors introduced themselves at the Market of Opportunities. Throughout the day, more than 500 lecturers and students explored information about extracurricular activities on campus, ongoing projects in study programs and teaching, and interdisciplinary opportunities.
Prof. Frank Gießelmann, Vice Rector for Teaching and Continuing Education, welcoming the guests to the lecture hall.
Without stuvus, there would be no Day of Teaching and Learning. Anna Dannecker (stuvus chairperson) and the stuvus student representatives played a key role in the organization.
Brigitta Möhrle (University Building Authority) introduced the theme of this year's Day of Teaching and Learning. She gave an overview of upcoming projects at the Vaihingen and Stadtmitte campuses. For example, the renovation of the canteen on Campus City Center. She also shared updates on interesting projects currently being developed.
Sannah König (tik) raised the question of how makerspaces, workshops, and open labs can invigorate the campus atmosphere.
Ulrich Schneider in action.
Professor Göddeke from the Institute for Applied Analysis and Numerical Simulation led a workshop introducing the Python self-study course.
Recognizing extraordinary commitment
The University of Stuttgart Teaching Prize has been awarded since 2015 for outstanding achievements and extraordinary commitment to teaching. With this award, our university recognizes extraordinary commitment in the area of study and teaching and underlines the essential importance of teaching at the University of Stuttgart. The prize money amounts to 10,000 euros and is to be used for measures that serve to improve teaching. Since 2019, our student body (stuvus) has also been granting special awards to lecturers selected from the nominees.
Teaching awards for Prof. Joachim Groß and Dr. Stephanie Seidl
Prof. Joachim Groß was awarded the Teaching Prize 2022. His exceptional teaching endeavors and dedicated commitment not only influenced the teaching approach at the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics and Thermal Process Engineering (ITT) but also made a mark on the mechanical engineering study programs. In this way, he made a valuable contribution to the training of STEM specialists at the University of Stuttgart.
Dr. Stephanie Seidl was nominated and selected for the 2023 award. The students lauded her remarkably diverse teaching style and her strong motivation to support them all equally. In his laudatory speech, student Kosum Alija from the German Studies department spoke about the individual and extensive feedback that Seidl provides to students. These are perceived by the students as motivating and exemplary.
Special teaching award for Prof. Heike Maier and Ulrich Schneider
Professor Heike Maier contributes to teacher training in chemistry and was honored with the Special Award from the Student Council in 2022 for her exceptional dedication to this cause. This is in recognition of her exemplary combination of specialist knowledge and practical experience in the didactic training of student teachers in chemistry. The laudatory speech was delivered by Dr. Marco Spurk, Managing Director of Fehling-Lab (school student lab) at the Faculty of Chemistry.
Ulrich Schneider was awarded the Special Award by the Student Council in 2023 for his exceptional dedication to supporting lectures. This recognition acknowledges his efforts and achievements in enhancing and preparing demonstration experiments for experimental physics lectures in a pedagogically meaningful manner. The laudatory speech was delivered by Prof. Gert Denninger.
DAAD prize for Skander Kamoun
Foreign students enrich not only the research but also the culture of a university. In recognition of this, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides funds to award an annual prize to outstanding foreign students.
This year, the International Office selected Skander Kamoun. The prizewinner from Tunisia has been doing his doctorate and research as a research assistant at the Institute of Aerodynamics and Gas Dynamics (IAG) in the Aircraft Aerodynamics group since September 2023. In addition to his professional qualifications, he received the award primarily because of his strong social commitment. He was involved in intercultural exchange between students at AIESEC and was a member of the Tunisian group of the on-line network IVAO. The laudatory speech was given by Prof. Ewald Krämer, Director of the Institute of Aerodynamics and Gas Dynamics.
Shaping teaching and learning culture together
The exchange between lecturers, staff and students is vitally important for an attractive campus experience and a positive learning environment. Interest in exchange and networking remains high since the pandemic. This year's Day of Teaching and Learning once again provided an opportunity to share feedback, explore established practices, and discover new initiatives. The Market of Opportunities was used to exchange ideas and present a wide range of offers. "We aim to make this format a permanent fixture in future Days of Teaching and Learning," summarizes Prof. Frank Gießelmann, Vice Rector for Teaching and Continuing Education.
It is important to continue to respond to the needs of students and encourage their participation in decision-making processes. Regular feedback mechanisms and open communication channels enable us to identify and implement improvements, enhancing the attractiveness of campus life.
Impressions from the Market of Opportunities
