Since its founding at TU Berlin in May 2007, the BIG-NSE has seen nearly 140 PhD students successfully complete their studies within various UniCat/UniSysCat project groups. To celebrate these 17 years of achievements, we are organizing a large alumni event, where we’ve invited many of our alumni to share their career journeys since completing the program.
We are thrilled that over 40 alumni have graciously accepted our invitation and will participate in a series of panel discussions during the event. This gathering will provide a valuable opportunity not only for our current PhD students but also for us and all alumni attendees to explore the varied career paths our graduates have pursued. Many distinguished guests will also join, including alumni in significant roles across academia and industry, UniSysCat members (from professors to PhD students), and special guests from TU leadership and funding bodies.
The event will begin on Monday, October 28th, with a brief reflection on EC2/BIG-NSE's achievements, followed by several panel discussions:
- Morning: Alumni who have pursued academic careers, including professors and group leaders, will discuss the rewards and challenges they’ve encountered on their career paths.
- Afternoon: Panels will feature alumni working in intellectual property, including patent attorneys and startup founders/employees, followed by a session with alumni in education, public service, and administrative roles.
- Evening: After a photographic retrospective of the program, we warmly invite you to the Jubilee Dinner, beginning at 7 p.m., to celebrate the 17-year success of BIG-NSE.
On Tuesday, October 29th, we will continue with additional panel discussions:
- Morning: Alumni in industry will share insights on navigating early-career challenges such as job searching and onboarding.
- Afternoon: A second industry panel will focus on leadership and other challenges encountered later in their careers.
- AI Panel: Between these two industry panels, a dedicated discussion on Artificial Intelligence will take place, with input from research, industry, and IP perspectives.
- Final Panel: Alumni from across all sectors will reflect on how we might have better prepared them for their future careers.
The event is primarily aimed at the PhD students of EC²/BIG-NSE and UniSysCat, but other interested individuals are welcome to attend and listen to the discussions and ask questions from the audience. However, catering during coffee and lunch breaks, as well as the anniversary dinner, will be reserved for UniSysCat members.
Due to limited space at the event venue, those interested in attending the discussions are kindly requested to register here (Start: Sept. 23). The rule is "first come, first served."
Date: Monday and Tuesday, October 28/29, 2024
Program here
Main location: Room H3005, Central building of the TU Berlin
Host: The EC²/BIG-NSE Doctoral Program: https://www.ec2-big-nse.de/
Registration required: Start: Sept. 23 - End: prolonged until October 25 (3 pm) latest.
Contact email address: info@ec2.tu-berlin.de
Directions to the event rooms.
-----
Above, picture of the 2017 BIG-NSE graduation ceremony
EC2, and by extension this event, are funded by the Einstein Stiftung Berlin.