mentUP*
MentUP* is the diversity mentoring programme at the University of Passau. It is aimed at early career researchers and future executives with diversity-related characteristic originating from all subject disciplines. It is open to master's students, students due to sit their State Examination in the near future, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral candidates and habilitation candidates at the University of Passau.
On the strength of the diversity mentoring programme mentUP*, the University of Passau seeks to promote and integrate members of groups that are under-represented in universities and leadership positions.
The programme starts in October 2024. The application deadline has expired.
Further information about mentUP* can be found in our leaflet.
The diversity mentoring programme mentUP* is currently organized in German. If there are enough applicants who would like to have events within the program in English, we will try to provide demand-oriented support within the scope of our possibilities.
As a personnel development instrument, mentoring aims to promote the transfer of knowledge between an experienced person (the mentor) and someone with less experience (the mentee).
For the University, diversity is a way to become even more vibrant, cosmopolitan and equitable. The diversity of its students, teachers and staff is both a responsibility and a strength of the University.
This is why it has established the mentUP* diversity mentoring programme to support and integrate members of groups that have been under-represented at universities and in management positions to the best of its abilities. When selecting mentees, the following diversity characteristics are therefore given special consideration:
- Gender
- Ethnic background
- Social background
- Physical disabilities or chronic illnesses
- Welfare obligations
- Sexual orientation
- Age
Central to the programme are the mentoring tandems, which each consist of a mentee and a mentor. These mentoring tandems are complemented by seminars, workshops, coaching sessions and networking meetings.
Mentoring tandem
In this relationship, mentees and mentors regularly exchange ideas and develop career perspectives for the mentees. Benefits for mentees:
- Support with the strategic development of their career planning, in dealing with possible obstacles on their career paths as well as with diversity and discrimination experiences
- Advice on specific requirements for a leadership position in academia, business, politics, administration, the media or in the cultural sector
- Contacts and insights into the 'rules of the game' that apply in the respective fields
Seminars and workshops
The tandem meetings are complemented by seminars and workshops focusing on:
- Diversity skills
- Personal competencies
- Methodological skills
- Leadership competencies
Career coaching
Individual career coaching is offered at the beginning and the end of the programme.
Networking
Strategic networking with other mentees and mentors is facilitated through regular networking meetings.
- approximately six tandem meetings
- change of seminars, workshops and coaching for mentees
- two individual career coaching sessions for mentees
- regular networking meetings
- current iteration since October 2023
- duration: 12 months