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NRW-Technikum | MINT Forum | Mentoring

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What does MINT actually stand for?

MINT is a German acronym for the four scientific fields:

Mathematics | Computer Science (German: Informatik)| Natural Sciences | Technology

It is the aequivalent of the English acronym STEM.

In Germany, women studying and teaching MINT/STEM subjects are underrepresented. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the percentage of women in MINT/STEM professions is 29.4% (2021) - putting it in third-last place in Europe.

Gender equality is actively working to combat this imbalance. For example, we take part in the nationwide Girls' Day every year to break down stereotypes when choosing a course of study. As part of this day of action, pupils have the opportunity to get a taste of MINT/STEM subjects at The Hochschule Niederrhein.

Mentoring programs for female students are designed to facilitate career entry, especially for female MINT/STEM students.

Schülerin mit Schutzbrille und Lötkolben
Try out studying and working in STEM
Try out studying and working in STEM

What is the NRW-Technikum?

The NRW-Technikum is a trial study programme! Within one semester – i.e. six months – you have the opportunity to test a degree programme and a possible apprenticeship. The focus is on STEM (German: MINT) subjects: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Find out what really suits you!

Is the NRW-Technikum the right choice for me?
Informier dich!

You can find everything you need to know about the requirements, registration and much more here: 

NRW-Technikum »
Welcome to the MINT Forum!

MINT degree programmes are now more vibrant, diverse and exciting than ever before, and a far cry from typical clichés. Nevertheless, the number of women in technical and scientific degree programmes is still low. The MINT Forum is a network that connects women within the university and facilitates contacts with the regional economy.

  • Support at the start of your studies
  • Networking in everyday university life
  • Experienced female students as contact persons
  • Soft skills workshops
  • Preparation for professional life
  • Mentoring
  • Start-up
Take part in mentoring

The Hochschule Niederrhein offers mentoring programmes together with other stakeholders to make it easier for female students to start their careers.
Students (mentees) are assigned a mentor from a company with whom they can discuss important questions or who can give them a realistic insight into everyday working life:

  • Career entry/ career planning - Where do I want to go? How do I go about it?
  • What suits me? What are my strengths? How can I develop and improve my profile?
  • How do I learn to present myself confidently? How do I present myself confidently in a team of engineers?
  • How can I reconcile family and career?
  • Leading as a woman - what competences do I need/have? What do I need to consider?


Participation in the mentoring programmes is free of charge.

Competentia
Mentoring programme

Organised/offered by: Competence Centre for Women and Careers in the Middle Lower Rhine region in cooperation with the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences
Duration: 6 months
Companies: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region
 

Registration was open until 31 August 2025. You can find the registration form here. All female students from the first semester onwards are eligible to apply. The next round will be announced in future.
 

Mehr Informationen »
Your compass for starting your career
Mentoring programme

Organised/offered by: Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Niederrhein Entrepreneurship Association, Krefeld network ‘Leading Ladies in Town’
Duration: 8 months
Companies: Member companies of the Niederrhein Entrepreneurship Association
Application deadline: 13 February 2026
Questions and applications to: Ralf.Kampker@hs-niederrhein.de and Sandra.Laumen@hs-niederrhein.de.

Note:
If you are interested, please make a note of the following dates: 11 March 2026 Mentee workshop | 26 March 2026 Kick-off event – matching | 8 June 2026 Tandem workshop | 22 June 2026 Mid-term event | 16 November 2026 Closing event | plus two at a company 
 

Bewerbungsformular »

For everyone: Caring students - an invisible group
Date: 2026-05-18 / 10:00 o'clock (am)
Location: online via Zoom
For university members and interested parties: Let's Talk: Diversity
Date: 2026-05-19 / 10:30 am
Location: Canteen lounge, Krefeld South Campus, upper floor
For university members and interested parties: Intersectionality & Transformation: How we shape spaces of solidarity together
Date: 2026-05-19 / 05:00 o'clock (pm)
Location: online via Zoom
General counselling for all students | Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf
Date: 2026-05-27 / 11:00 o'clock (am)
Location: Krefeld, Mensa Obergath, VIP room
General counselling for all students | Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf
Date: 2026-06-02 / 11:00 o'clock (am)
Location: Mönchengladbach, Mensa, Rheydter Str., Room 1.07
General counselling for all students | Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf
Date: 2026-06-24 / 11:00 o'clock (am)
Location: Krefeld, Mensa Obergath, VIP room
MINT in Mind
Bildrechte: A.U.G.E.-Institut vertreten durch Prof. Dr. Monika Eigenstetter / Agentur NUVISTA
MINT in Mind
for pupils

MINT in Mind is a joint project in the Middle Lower Rhine region that offers educational opportunities for young people aged 12 to 16.

further information »
HNX - Your way to start up!

HNX is the central point of contact for start-ups and entrepreneurship at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences. Here you can also find out more about the EXIST Women programme for the advancement of women. 

further information »
Career Service

The Career Service at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences supports students in their transition from university to working life with a wide range of workshops and events.

further information »
HSNR ElevateHER - Mentoring programme
Doctoral students and post-docs

HSNR ElevateHER supports doctoral students and post-docs from all disciplines on their career path in science. The programme combines individual mentoring tandems with workshops, networking opportunities and professional impulses. The aim of the programme is to support young female scientists in their doctoral and career planning, to make perspectives visible and to facilitate the transition to the next qualification or career stage.

The participants develop their personal career roadmap, reflect on their goals and receive support on topics such as academic work, publishing, acquiring third-party funding, self-positioning and work-life balance. Mentors provide valuable insights into academic careers, sponsor orientation and open up access to new contacts. ElevateHER is deliberately designed to be open: Men can also participate as mentors and contribute their experience to the promotion of young academics. The programme thus creates a strong network that combines empowerment, exchange and professional development.

 

Dates:

  • 26/05/2026, 16:00-18:00 (Krefeld South Campus)
  • 10/09/2026, 16:00-18:00 (Mönchengladbach campus)
  • 12/11/2026, 16:00-18:00 (TBA)
  • 21.01.2027, 14:00-16:00 (Campus Krefeld-West)

These dates supplement the dates that are jointly coordinated in tandem.

HSNR ProfConnect - Tandem & Network
for professors

HSNR ProfConnect is aimed at female professors at The Hochschule Niederrhein who would like to network with colleagues and develop themselves further in a targeted manner. The programme brings newly appointed and experienced professors together in tandems and creates a protected framework for exchange, orientation and mutual support. The programme focuses on the question of how, for example, the entry into professorship can be made easier and how valuable experience can be passed on within the university.

Participants benefit from faster orientation in everyday university life, insights into informal processes and support on topics such as committee work, appointment procedures, teaching education, research and work-life balance. Experienced professors also gain new impetus for their leadership and counselling skills and expand their network beyond their own university. The programme is supplemented by joint events, including a regional network meeting and a skills workshop. This creates a space in which professors can learn from each other, network visibly and strengthen their role at the university.

 

Dates:

  • 28/05/2026, 16:00-18:00 (Mönchengladbach campus)
  • 02/09/2026, 16:00-18:00 (FWL, Krefeld)
  • 19 November 2026, 16:00-18:00 (TBA)
  • 21.01.2027, 14:00-16:00 (Krefeld-West campus)

These dates supplement the dates that are jointly coordinated in tandem.

mentoring(at)hsnr.de

Would you like to take part in one of the formats? Complete the relevant form and consent to the processing of your data and send it to us.

You are also welcome to write to us if you have any questions or requests regarding the programmes.

Information on the protection of your data can be found in the respective forms and on the intranet.

MINT Forum Co-ordinanation

Dr. Sandra Laumen, Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing.
Equal Opportunity Officer
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