Network Session of students of different Max Planck Schools during Max Planck Schools Day

Looking back at Max Planck Schools Day 2020

A recap and videos of the virtual event

September 16, 2020

The virtual Max Planck Schools Day on Friday, 11th September 2020 showcased the strength and scope of the Max Planck Schools’ network. On the occasion of welcoming the second cohort of students at the Max Planck Schools of Cognition, Matter to Life and Photonics, the Max Planck Society and the German Rectors’ Conference invited representatives from politics and science as well as interested viewers to virtually celebrate the start of the second year.

Even in times of social distancing the Max Planck Schools Day united representatives of selected partner universities, fellows and students and enabled engaging discussions and personal dialogue across disciplines, organizations and career levels. As a mix of live broadcasting, moderated user interaction and virtual network sessions for students, the new virtual event format gave participants the chance to both follow discussions and actively become involved at their home screens.

Following a short welcome speech by Prof. Peter-André Alt, President of the German Rectors’ Conference, representatives of some of the main partner universities of the Max Planck Schools and selected fellows discussed the topic “Globalization in Crisis: Brain Gain or Brain Drain?” live from the Harnack House:  Dr. Hanieh Fattahi (Fellow of the Max Planck School of Photonics), Prof. Patrick Haggard (Fellow of the Max Planck School of Cognition) as well as Prof. Bernhard Eitel (University of Heidelberg), Prof. Thomas Hofmann (Technical University of Munich), Prof. Beate Schücking (Leipzig University), Prof. Walter Rosenthal (Friedrich Schiller University Jena) and Prof. Günter Leugering (Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen Nürnberg).

The panel, moderated by Dr. Andreas Kleinschmidt, did not only discuss challenges for German universities resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic, but also touched upon consequences of long-term trends hampering global exchange in science and education, such as nationalist movements and limitations on the freedom of research and teaching.

After highlighting the partner universities’ perspectives, the focus then shifted to a personal perspective on a scientist’s motivation and career: Prof. Onur Güntürkün gave insights about his passion of science. In his appealing talk, he directly addressed PhD students and gave advice on this crucial phase in a scientist’s career – regarding fundamental questions, but also typical day-to-day challenges. He invited students and audience to ask questions via the chat function and could thus enter into dialogue with the participants.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Martin Stratmann once more welcomed all new students, pointed out the benefit of the unique and diverse network of the Max Planck Schools and thanked the coordinators of all three Schools. With the words of the President of the Max Planck Society the public part of the event ended and the networking sessions for the students of the Max Planck Schools started.

In normal times, students would have met after the event over a drink and forged new connections with their future colleagues. In order to provide networking opportunities despite social distancing and to enable personal exchange across schools, research areas and cohorts, students were invited to meet on a virtual platform. In 36 sessions moderated by fellow students, they discussed their passion for science, student life during the COVID 19 crisis and their motivations for choosing the Max Planck Schools.

The Max Planck Schools Day proved that the net is working and is even expanding. Welcome new students!

Videos of the Max Planck Schools Day 2020

Welcome Address by Prof. Dr. Peter-André Alt, President of the German Rectors' Conference <br />Harnack Haus, Berlin 11.09.2020

Max Planck Schools Day 2020 (1/5) - Welcome Address, Prof. Dr. Peter-André Alt

Welcome Address by Prof. Dr. Peter-André Alt, President of the German Rectors' Conference
Harnack Haus, Berlin 11.09.2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_ToULdqdvM
"Globalization in Crisis: Brain Gain or Brain Drain?" Panelists: Dr. Hanieh Fattahi (Fellow of the Max Planck School of Photonics), Prof. Patrick Haggard (Fellow of the Max Planck School of Cognition), Prof. Bernhard Eitel (University of Heidelberg), Prof. Thomas Hofmann (Technical University of Munich), Prof. Beate Schücking (Leipzig University), Prof. Walter Rosenthal (Friedrich Schiller University Jena), Prof. Günter Leugering (Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen Nürnberg). Moderator: Dr. Andreas Kleinschmidt. <br />Harnack Haus, Berlin 11.09.2020

Max Planck Schools Day 2020 (2/5) - Panel Discussion

"Globalization in Crisis: Brain Gain or Brain Drain?" Panelists: Dr. Hanieh Fattahi (Fellow of the Max Planck School of Photonics), Prof. Patrick Haggard (Fellow of the Max Planck School of Cognition), Prof. Bernhard Eitel (University of Heidelberg), Prof. Thomas Hofmann (Technical University of Munich), Prof. Beate Schücking (Leipzig University), Prof. Walter Rosenthal (Friedrich Schiller University Jena), Prof. Günter Leugering (Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen Nürnberg). Moderator: Dr. Andreas Kleinschmidt.
Harnack Haus, Berlin 11.09.2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUiRIB91qI8
Prof. Dr. Dr.hc. Onur Güntürkün, Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), Fellow of the Max Planck School of Cognition <br /><br />Broadcasted live from Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), 11.09.2020

Max Planck Schools Day 2020 (3/5) - Lecture "My Passion for Science", Prof. Dr. Onur Güntürkün

Prof. Dr. Dr.hc. Onur Güntürkün, Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), Fellow of the Max Planck School of Cognition

Broadcasted live from Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), 11.09.2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XsUahxBidY
Prof. Dr. Dr.hc Onur Güntürkün, Fellow of the Max Planck School of Cognition <br /><br />Moderator: Dr. Andreas Kleinschmidt <br /><br />Broadcasted live from Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), 11.09.2020

Max Planck Schools Day 2020 (4/5) - Q&A with Prof. Dr. Onur Güntürkün

Prof. Dr. Dr.hc Onur Güntürkün, Fellow of the Max Planck School of Cognition

Moderator: Dr. Andreas Kleinschmidt

Broadcasted live from Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), 11.09.2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY4aoLhSsEE

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