Greetings
20 years ago, RWTH Aachen University was one of the first universities nationwide to offer a structured mentoring program for women students and women PhD candidates. Even then, it was recognized what mentoring could achieve in terms of equal opportunities oriented human resources development.
As an excellent university, RWTH not only aims to provide outstanding professional training for future generations of scientists, but also focuses on providing an equal-opportunities, diversity-conscious study and work environment.
Today, the TANDEM mentoring programs for women students, women PhD candidates and women postdocs are an integral part of RWTH's profile. Our university is sending an important signal of its commitment to equal opportunities. The success of the programs is not only reflected in the steadily increasing demand: many former participants are now in leading positions at universities, research institutions and in industry.
I am very pleased that IGaD is celebrating this impressive anniversary this year and wish continued success!
Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h. c. mult. Ulrich Rüdiger
Rector
20 years of TANDEM mentoring programs at RWTH - that's a reason to celebrate.
I warmly congratulate the IGaD team on this special success story!
This success can be explained by the impact of structured mentoring programs, such as those established by TANDEM at RWTH, on individual and organizational level. Mentees receive tailored support in building their individual career strategies. During the mentoring year, they further develop their advising, leadership, and networking skills, and they are able to strategically address gender-specific challenges. Former participants often cite greater courage and empowerment as a personal success of going through the program.
One goal of the programs is to increase the proportion of women at all levels of academic qualification; career decisions made by TANDEM alumnae more often than average result in a decision to pursue an academic career. University structures are changing slowly but steadily in that, for example, mentors within the university are being sensitized and this is accompanied by changes in behavior at management level. Likewise, the members of the selection committees are sensitized and can act as multipliers within the university.
I am looking forward to the anniversary year, celebrate with us!
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Sabine Brück-Dürkop
Vice-Rector for Human Resources Management and Development