Elephant, whale, sun and a heart full of colour – Work Package Leaders Meeting at FAU

Mirjam Mbumaston, Esra Hergert, University founder Markgraf Friedrich von Brandenburg-Bayreuth, Petra Moog, Myra Posluschny-Treuner (from left to right)

I took part in the first EELISA workshop, which was held at the FAU in Erlangen in a staggered arrangement with the Student Council, the Executive Committee and the Governing Board. During the two days we discussed and exchanged information about EELISA Phase 2.0. Feedback was collected on topics such as the Digital Campus, EELISA Mobility and the new visual identity. I learnt new methods of ice-breaking and was able to make new contacts and renew old ones. Especially the contact with the student representatives from different institutions was fruitful. Their experiences and contributions are very valuable.

It was my first working meeting in EELISA Phase 2.0 as a co-leader of Work Package 7 “Employability and Partnerships”. It was also the first time I met my co-leader Rolland Vida from BME in person, among many other EELISA WP Leaders. After the first ice-breaking session with the question “What have you done for the first time since the start of EELISA Phase 2.0?”, we had the opportunity to hear about the progress in each Work Package.

 The discussions continued into the evening…

One of the visionary aspects was the specification of the Digital Campus. We worked in groups to discuss the roles and interactions on the new digital campus. I believe that the new platform will offer streamlined and up-to-date activities for our students, our partner companies and the EELISA institutions. We also had the opportunity to discuss EELISA Mobility. I liked the opening question “How can EELISA Mobility help to address the challenges of the different work packages? The overlapping issues between the different work packages came up in every discussion. I think we have reached a good level of awareness. The next step is to clarify these overlaps.

My favourite icebreaker was on the second day. We had to draw an object, an animal or a fantasy picture that best describes us. I was in a group with an elephant, a whale, a sun, fantasy waves and a heart full of colours. When describing the picture we learned a lot from each other, for example the elephant does not forget anything and is strong. The whale was described as calm and moving. The person with the sun just felt good and the fantasy waves represent creativity and the heart likes to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. At the end we had to do a group drawing. The result is shown in the picture below. All in all, it was a fun task that brought many insights.

Result of the ice breaker session at day 2

For the WP leaders, the intensive two days came to an end at Erlangen’s Bergkirchweih festival. As Joachim Hornegger, President of FAU, said on the first day: “I am dressed differently now, but tonight you are the ones who will be different”. In fact, most of the visitors were dressed in traditional costumes. I take away many impressions on both a personal and professional level. We have only just begun our work in Phase 2.0 and can look forward to the contributions of many motivated colleagues in the various working groups.

Dr. Magda Luthay, the new staff representative of EELISA and Esra Hergert

Esra Hergert with Eszter Tóthné Mischl