Students, employees and guests of TU Ilmenau can now turn to competent contact persons with all their questions at the newly established BaseCamp. The service is being tested at the start of this summer semester and is intended to make it easier to start studying.
First-year students will have a particularly easy start at TU Ilmenau this summer semester: at the beginning of the semester, the university is offering a new format to welcome and support newly enrolled students: BaseCamp. Located directly on campus - in the Academic Service Center (ASC) in the canteen - BaseCamp is a central point of contact for several weeks, combining information, orientation and personal support at the start of the semester.
"The basic idea is to create a central point of contact where students, employees and guests can get direct support or be directed to the right place - without any detours," explains Susan Kiesewetter, student advisor at TU Ilmenau. Together with dedicated staff from the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSBO), the International Office, the Academic Service Center (ASC), the Division of Equality, Diversity & Health (GDG) and helpers from the university’s faculties, she is part of the core team at BaseCamp, which not only students, but also staff and guests can turn to with their questions.
At the TU Ilmenau, students receive comprehensive and personal support during their studies, especially at the start of their studies. Shortly before the start of the semester, they get to know the university from the ground up during an introductory week - from introductory lectures on their degree courses to information on personal timetabling and cultural events such as cinema or barbecue evenings. In addition, student tutors are on hand to support them throughout the semester.
With the BaseCamp, the TU Ilmenau addresses exactly where questions remain unanswered. On site, students not only receive information, but also a welcome package with useful materials and small giveaways. Whether it’s student accommodation, insurance, city registration or a university account - experienced university staff at BaseCamp can help with almost any question. "International students in particular, who need a lot of help at the start of their studies, benefit from this direct support," explains Stephan Fischer, Student Advisor in the International Office at TU Ilmenau.
For Prof. Anja Geigenmüller, Vice President for Teaching and Learning, the establishment of the Base Camp is an expression of TU Ilmenau’s self-image:
Personal support for students is one of our university’s core values. With BaseCamp, we are showing that we actually live this welcoming culture. I would therefore like to thank each and every individual who has supported this idea from the very beginning and, in addition to their existing workload, has driven the implementation of BaseCamp so ambitiously.
This is all the more appreciated, Prof. Geigenmüller continued, as there are no additional resources for this project and it is being implemented entirely under their own steam:
This idea stands and falls with the personal commitment of staff and students. And it is this personal commitment that makes the TU Ilmenau a worthwhile place to study.
