A special feature of BayernMentoring at HNU is the long-term commitment of many mentors. If a mentor leaves or takes a break, it is often possible to recruit a colleague from the same company for the program. The continuous participation of regional experts from the business world forms a central basis for the success of the program, which is based on the pillars of mentoring, training and networking.
This year's results of the mentoring program were correspondingly positive: 27 female students were accompanied by 29 female mentors throughout the year; the 27 tandems completed the program this summer. “I really like the format and the aim of BayernMentoring,” said one mentee. “I gave some thought beforehand to whether I would be able to make a positive contribution and I'm delighted that I decided to take part.”
A driving force for equal opportunities: Farewell to Women's Representative Prof. Kocian-Dirr
As part of the closing event, Prof. Dr. Claudia Kocian-Dirr was also dismissed as Women's Representative - since 2023: “Commissioner for Equality of Women in Science and the Arts” - a role she will step down from on October 14, 2025. In future, she would like to invest more time in teaching and research again as a doctor of business informatics. In 2024, she was awarded the Neu-Ulm University Prize for Digital Teaching by the Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences Sponsors' Association for the teaching concept “The basis of the future: AI and teaching hand in hand”. The rapid developments in the field of artificial intelligence require the digital participation of experts - an important concern of Prof. Kocian-Dirr.
For more than five years, Prof. Kocian-Dirr shaped BayernMentoring with great personal commitment and innovative impulses. At the same time, she has been committed to equal opportunities for women throughout the university for 18 years now and has played a key role in shaping equal opportunities work at HNU: She established new formats, networked female players from the university, politics and business and initiated numerous measures for the structural promotion of women in science.
The most recent highlights of her work include two major networking events: “Dare to Grow!” in 2023 and “Dare to Shine!” in 2024. The latter marked the 30th anniversary of the work of the Women's Representative at HNU. The participatory approach was characteristic of both formats: Prof. Kocian placed particular emphasis on actively involving the target groups in the event planning. This resulted in programs with expert contributions, topic-specific meet-ups, practical input for female students and a variety of opportunities for exchange.
About BayernMentoring at the HNU
BayernMentoring is a program run by the HNU representative for equal opportunities for women in science and the arts, Prof. Dr. Claudia Kocian-Dirr. The program is open to female HNU students of all disciplines. Experienced female managers from the business world accompany female students and advise them on the transition from studying to working life. Regular network meetings and workshops ensure exchange and training. The targeted support focuses on both personal career planning and individual personal development.
Applications for the next round are now open. Experts from companies in the region are also cordially invited to find out more about becoming a mentor.
Contact
Magdalena Fremdling
