Newsletter from the Welcome Centre

Dear international academics,

We hope you had a wonderful summer and are now enjoying the first days of autumn in Passau.

For those who don’t know us yet: We at the Welcome Centre are your first point of contact for all non-academic questions about life on campus and in Passau. If you need support, feel free to reach out to us. We are happy to help you and your family settle in and feel at home.

Whether you are a newcomer or have been here for a while, our newsletter will keep you informed about current events, research related opportunities, and special activities, helping you to enjoy your time in Passau as you dive into the new winter semester. Enjoy!

Warm regards,

Your Welcome Centre Team

We would like to warmly invite you to our famous International Dinner – a great opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy delicious food from around the world.

For all those who haven’t had the chance to enjoy our special dinner yet: The idea of this evening is to experience typical meals of all your different home countries. There is no need for you to cook a complete course – small tapas-style dishes are enough! The room we will meet in has a small kitchenette so that we are also able to warm up some of the dishes or keep them cold if needed.

Your family and friends are welcome to join us, too!

Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025

Time: 18:00

Location: Clubroom 005, ITZ Innstrasse 43

If you are interested in participating, please send us an email at researchmobility@uni-passau.de.

We look forward to seeing you!

Those of you who have been with us for a while are probably already familiar with our "Welcome Guide", a practical and friendly companion designed to help international academics in navigating all non-academic aspects of life in Passau and settling in smoothly. It guides you through every step of the journey – from initial planning and arrival to everyday life on campus and in Passau. You’ll find everything from visa procedures and local registration to tips on campus life and useful contacts around town – in short, everything you need to get started and feel at home.

The updated (digital) version has now been published and can be accessed here and on our website.

Take a look – it’s full of helpful insights!

The scholarship from the Studienstiftung is aimed at academically excellent and committed doctoral students in all subjects. It includes:

• 1,750 euros per month starting in October 2025, including a 100-euro research allowance;
• substantial additional financial support for stays abroad and for doctoral candidates with children;
• combination with a quarter-time position in research and teaching, including social insurance and university affiliation;
• Funding for three years with the option to extend for further six months if necessary;
• Additional 12 months of funding for parents or individuals whose academic work capacity is limited due to chronic illness or disability;
• A comprehensive educational and networking programme specifically for doctoral candidates.

Two digital information evenings (held in German language) are offered twice a year for interested applicants. The next appointment is scheduled for 13 November 2025 at 18:00.

More information is available on the website. If you have further questions or need advice, please contact the University of Passau's Graduate Centre: graduiertenzentrum@uni-passau.de.

The Passau International Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (PICAIS) at the University of Passau is launching a brand-new event service: the PICAIS Alumni Talks.

Former PICAIS fellows will share exciting insights into their research projects at the University of Passau – including new developments and findings that have emerged since their Fellowship. If you wish to discover innovative research approaches, experience international perspectives and engage in discussion and connect with international researchers, this is a great opportunity!

Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025

Time: 12:00 - 14:00

Location: Online via Zoom

To register for the event, please contact picais-office@uni-passau.de to receive the Zoom link. The event is open to everyone!

The PICAIS Coffee Talk is a networking event that not only brings together all PICAIS Fellows currently completing their scholarships in Passau but also provides a platform for interested researchers from the University of Passau to exchange ideas in a relaxed setting. PICAIS Fellows present on-site will briefly present their research projects; afterwards, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and network.

Date: Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Time: 14:00 - 16:00

Location: Professor’s Lounge (Cafeteria Building, Room 254)

Please register via picais-office@uni-passau.de.

You don't want to miss the evening information event held in the rooms of the central library on Wednesday, 22 October from 17:00 onwards.

The event is jointly organised by the University Library, Future: Careers and Competencies Section, and other institutions and services will give you lots of information on the various seminar/course/event programmes for the winter semester. Look forward to exciting presentations, taster courses, mini-workshops and sporty snacks.

Discover in particular the English-language offerings to make you familiar with the Central Library's services, facilities, and resources, such as a guided library tour or a library introduction and Q&A.

All students and researchers of the University of Passau are cordially invited.

Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Time: 17:00

Location: On campus, in the rooms of the Central Library

The programme can be found here.

"All You Can Do" is an intercultural volunteer buddy programme where you can get involved in social projects in Passau together with fellow students and researchers from all over the world.
The programme guarantees fun, new friends, intercultural teamwork, acquisition of important competences and soft skills as well as an insight into the local society.
Bonus: At the end of your involvement, you will receive a volunteering certificate from International Support Services.

Curious? Registration is open until 19 October 2025. Find out more here and on our Instagram account: @unipassau.international. The "All You Can Do" team will answer any questions via allyoucando@uni-passau.de.

If you are still looking for an option to learn German, we would like to draw your attention to the online courses offered by Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern (vhb). Courses are available for almost all levels. The courses are free of charge for international students (also enrolled PhD students).

There are different types of courses available:

• CLASSIC: designed to be credited to a degree programme (acquisition of ECTS points), support by tutors, tied to the semester periods.
• OPEN: freely accessible to all those interested, not tied to semester periods (no ECTS credits or support).
• SMART: approx. 45 minutes in length, flexibly combinable and also suitable for self-study.

You can find an overview of the course offer here.

You can also find further opportunities to learn and practise German on the Welcome Centre's website.

V.i.S.d.P.: Universität Passau, Innstraße 41, 94032 Passau
Welcome Centre, Tel.:0851/509 -1169
Contact for any queries: researchmobility@uni-passau.de