Hannover Science Initiative

The Hannover Science Initiative was founded in 2007 at the suggestion of the state capital Hannover. Meanwhile, eight universities and higher-education institutes in Hannover (Leibniz University, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hannover Medical School, University of Music, Drama and Media, University of Veterinary Medicine, Private University of Applied Sciences, Leibniz School of Business, Lower Saxonian Municipal University of Applied Administrative Sciences), as well as the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, the LIAG Institute for Applied Geophysics, the Volkswagen Foundation, the Student Administration Hannover and the State Capital of Hannover have been actively involved in the Hannover Science Initiative.

Boosting the attractiveness of Hannover as centre of scientific activity

The objective behind the Hannover Science Initiative is to boost the attractiveness of Hannover as centre of academic and scientific activity and enhance the general conditions for students. The initiative and a large proportion of the joint projects it involves are coordinated by the Science City Hannover department of the Lord Mayor's Office.

49,000 students in the state capital

With 49,000 students in the state capital (winter semester 2021/2022) and around 21,000 employees studying and working at its universities, Hannover figures among Germany's leading centres of scientific and academic activity. Nearly 50 percent of the students are female, international students make up 15,54 percent.

Fostering of excellence clusters

The RESIST, QuantumFrontiers, PhoenixD and Hearing4all excellence clusters are currently being fostered and sponsored in Hannover within the framework of the German government's Excellence Initiative. Hearing4all was fostered and sponsored also during the last Excellence Initiative.

Projects

Video portal

Germany's first science video platform celebrated its 10th birthday in March 2023. Hannover's universities, research-related institutions and the state capital of Hannover present themselves in an informative and entertaining way on the wissen.hannover.de platform. With high-quality quality and explanatory videos, the Initiative Wissenschaft Hannover provides sustainable information about study and research in Hannover and promotes the university and science location in a data-safe manner with the extensive media library.

University and Science pages

Higher education and science are a major focus at www.hannover.de, the portal of the region and city of Hannover. With daily updates, it provides information on academic studies, teaching, research and student life in the Hannover region. An extensive calendar of events is also available here. You can directly access the relevant content via this link: www.science-hannover.de.

November of Science

Every two years in November, Hannover Science Initiative invites some 70 partners from the worlds of higher education, research and culture under the heading #knowember. The next chance to take part is in November 2023 (1–19 Nov.).

Welcome Service for foreign students and researchers

With a comprehensive plan of action, various local players – Hannover's higher-education institutions, Studentenwerk Hannover, the city’s state-run employment agency, the municipal housing assocation Hanova and the City of Hannover, together with other stakeholders – are seeking to strengthen the Willkommenskultur (culture of welcoming newcomers) for international students. More than 60 separate measures have been developed under various headings: ‘housing’, ‘financing your studies’, ‘integration, diversity and anti-discrimination’, ‘prospects – should I stay or should I go?’ and ‘university access for refugees’. These measures range in scope from development of new projects and the systematic expansion of existing activities to continuation of proven measures.

The "Hausmarke"

The "Hausmarke" is a discount card for students, allowing reduced admission to museums, public swimming pools, bars and events. The card is available at the Tourist Information Hannover (Ernst-August-Platz 8). Students must bring an ID card/passport and their certificate of matriculation.

Study and Stay

Half of the students graduating from Hannover's higher education institutes take up their initial employment in the Hannover Region. The initiative "Study and Stay" fosters an early networking of the spheres of business, science and university by way of excursions, career days and advisory offerings. The aim is to attract qualified personnel to work and live in Hannover as a key industrial and business location and give young people sound career perspectives in the region.

Dual Career Network

The Dual Career Network provides support and assistance for dual-career couples from science and industry making a fresh career start in and around Hannover. This service is supervised and coordinated by Leibniz University Hannover.

Leibniz in Hannover

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) spent 40 years of his life in Hannover. Many local institutions continue to preserve, explore and communicate the life and work of the universal genius. A special highlight for treasure hunters is the geocaching tour “Leibniz’ Ge(o)heimnisse". A digital, interactive garden treasure hunt in the Herrenhausen Gardens is also available: participants use a special app called Actionbound to help them explore and solve puzzles. Called the ‘Leibniz Tour: Searching for Leibniz’s Legacy’, it is suitable for youngsters aged 14 and over. Additional, updated information and a variety of events are listed at www.hannover.de/Leibniz.

Summer University in "Leibniz City"

Since 2010 the Leibniz University Hannover and the state capital of Hannover in August host a three-week-programme for guest students. Scientists from different fields of research offer several hours of lectures and workshops.