After two years of online-only events for the first-semester CompEngs, the welcome event 2022 was held on campus for the first time. General Coordinator Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Sahlmen welcomed the new students with an initial presentation. He gave a brief overview of the geographic location of Bochum, the industrial and cultural history of the Ruhr area, and some facts about the Ruhr-University Bochum.

Then it was time for the academic staff to introduce themselves. The course director Prof. Dr. Klaus Hackl started with welcoming words to the new students, followed by the teaching staff of the first semester courses. They all briefly presented their courses and gave a taste of what awaits students in their first semester in Bochum. In addition to the lecturers, representatives of the student council introduced themselves and gave helpful tips for the first weeks in Germany. After all the new information, there was a relaxed get-together. Thanks to the good weather, the CompEng support team invited everyone to enjoy snacks and drinks in front of the lecture hall HIB.

Unfortunately, even in the third year of the pandemic, there are still difficulties for some students to get their visas issued in time or to get a place in a hall of residence. This meant that there was an additional digital welcome event, which was smaller in scale but provided plenty of time for students to ask questions.

The whole CompEng team wishes the new students, whether already in Bochum or still in their home country, a good start to the winter semester 2022/23!