Students from elite U.S. universities visiting Evonik

One of the objectives of the "Ruhr Fellowship" project, which is initially funded for three years, is to interest top U.S. students in the Ruhr region. In the first year, ten students from renowned U.S. East Coast universities (Princeton, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, and MIT) were invited to visit the German metropolitan region. They will visit the region for eight weeks to make important contacts. The program is organized by Initiativkreis Ruhr, a joint effort of leading companies that include Evonik, ThyssenKrupp, Vaillant, SMS Demag, Deutsche Bank Essen, Klöckner, and the Ruhr Association.

The two-month stay will consist of two program phases for the students. During the first four weeks, the group will attend Summer School, an academic program organized by the University Alliance Metropole Ruhr (UAMR), which will be held on the campus of Dortmund Technical University this year. This program component offers an opportunity to visit the campuses of the three UAMR universities (Ruhr University Bochum, Duisburg-Essen University, and Dortmund Technical University) in addition to trips, seminars, and meetings with company representatives. Evonik invited the students to tour its Marl site, where they attended presentations by Process Technology & Engineering and the research and development unit Creavis.

The second phase of the study program consists of internships in the above-listed companies as a special highlight. "We look forward to getting practical insights in the daily work of engineers at Evonik," says Dominique Ingato. She and Sarah Hanna, another University of Pennsylvania student, will complete a four-week internship at Evonik, working in the Fluid Process Technology and Reaction Technology departments of Process Technology & Engineering in Marl.

"The study-abroad and internship program offers both scientific exchange opportunities and practical job experience," says Dr. Andreas Seelmann, head of the Corporate Human Resources division. "At the same time, participants can build a network of important contacts in the Ruhr area. As an internationally active company with roots in the Ruhr region, we actively support this concept and also hope to position Evonik as an attractive employer for American students."