How do you get young people interested in research, future topics and key technologies? How do you get girls in particular interested in the so-called STEM subjects, i.e. maths, computer science, technology, natural sciences and engineering, and in studying one of these subjects later on? The Initiative junge Forscherinnen und Forscher e. V. (IJF) is committed to doing just that and counts high-ranking research and educational institutions as well as companies from a wide range of sectors among its members. OTH Regensburg has also been a registered member of the initiative since 1 January 2025 - a strategically sound step towards further expanding and intensifying the university's already broad-based STEM funding activities.
Counteracting the STEM skills shortage
In order to remain fit for the future as a society and to develop solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow, it is particularly important to promote young talent in the STEM, technical and engineering professions. One of the major challenges is the shortage of skilled labour, which can be countered in the long term with dedicated support for young talent. OTH Regensburg is excellently positioned with its range of STEM degree programmes. In order to provide future students with targeted information about these programmes and to introduce young minds and talents, especially girls, to STEM subjects and key technologies at an early stage, special activities are also required outside the university.
OTH Regensburg's promotion of STEM subjects in the region has a long tradition and did not just begin with its new membership of the IJF. For years, OTH Regensburg has been inviting young people to its learning and research laboratories and offering programmes in schools with a wide range of offers from the departments and the ‘Young University’. Here, young people have the opportunity to get a taste of the world of science and awaken their interest in STEM subjects at an early age. After all, these areas are working on solutions to some of our biggest challenges, such as climate change.
Schools are home to ‘the bright minds of tomorrow’
The commitment of the Initiative junge Forscherinnen und Forscher e.V., which has been the project sponsor of the State Coordination Office for STEM Education in Bavaria since 2022 and now also has a project office in Baden-Württemberg, also starts with programmes for schools. The aim of the IJF is to ‘get children and young people interested in future technologies in the long term. After all, the bright minds of tomorrow are in schools,’ says Managing Director Christoph Petschenka. If you want to counter the skills shortage of the future and the challenges of our time, it is best to invest in supporting children. After all, they are the researchers, skilled workers and inventors of tomorrow. The IJF's programme is exciting and varied; it includes STEM project days and further training for teachers.
The new head of the Student Lifecycle Centre at OTH Regensburg, Andrea Stelzl, has also successfully campaigned for membership of the IJF. Because: ‘The promotion of STEM subjects for young people, especially girls, is very important to me. This topic - in my eyes a very important task for the future - has characterised my professional work for more than ten years.’
It remains to be seen how the cooperation with the IFJ will take shape. One important point is ‘to make the STEM study programmes at OTH Regensburg, especially those in engineering, even more visible beyond the region and to bring them to schools,’ says Andrea Stelzl. The initiative's good network and the exchange with other universities and companies there are helpful in this task: The first members' meeting will take place in May 2025, at which OTH Regensburg will also be represented for the first time. The meeting will take place at the international automotive supplier Brose in Bamberg, which is also a member of the IJF and has offered to host the event in 2025.
