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Green-blue-brown cloud, in which the outlines of skyscrapers, a turbine, laboratory equipment and a network diagram of a human head with a torso can be seen © UA Ruhr

The University Alliance Ruhr - Our Path

Since 2007, Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), the Technical University (TU) Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) have been working closely together strategically under the umbrella of University Alliance Ruhr. Under the motto "better together", there are now over 100 collaborations in research, teaching and administration. With around 100,000 students and almost 14,000 academics, the University Alliance Ruhr is one of the largest and most productive academic locations in Germany.

 

Milestones

Graphic of a map of the Ruhr area in which the UA Ruhr locations are markede, in der die UA Ruhr-Standorte markiert sind © UA Ruhr
March 12, 2007: Foundation of the University Alliance Metropolis Ruhr (UAMR). While the M for Metropolis has been dropped from the name over the years, a variety of collaborations have been formed and fixed structures established. The UA Ruhr is regarded as a pioneer of university alliances in Germany.
Weltkarte, auf der die UA Ruhr Büros Sao Paulo, New York und Osteuropa markiert sind © UA Ruhr
When the first cooperation agreement was signed in 2007, the universities had already been operating a joint liaison office in New York for three years. The UA Ruhr liaison office in Moscow opened in 2009 and the office in São Paulo in 2011.
Voller Saal in der Jahrhunderthalle © UA Ruhr
July 13, 2017: A success story celebrates its birthday, and 600 guests came to congratulate it. In 2017, the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) celebrated its tenth anniversary in the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum.
Flyer of the Research Academy Ruhr © Simon Bierwald, INDEED Photography
Since 2017, the UA Ruhr universities have bundled their career development programs in science under the umbrella of the Research Academy Ruhr. This is a unique project in Germany.
Three men in suits present certificate © Michael Schwettmann
July 7, 2021: Starting signal for the Research Alliance. The rectors of Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen sign a cooperation agreement to establish the Research Alliance Ruhr.
Group photo with four men (standing) and three women (seated) © Simon Bierwald, INDEED Photography
April 10, 2024: The UA Ruhr establishes an International Advisory Board. Six renowned experts from Europe, Asia and North America support the UA Ruhr in its long-term strategic planning, particularly with regard to further internationalization.

Overview

  
2026Establishment of the three Research Communities Diversity & Society, Future of Education and Sustainability
2025Continuation of MERCUR
 Foundation of UA Ruhr Transfer GmbH
 Establishment of the Liaison Office Latin America in São Paulo
 Signing of a new Framework Cooperation Agreement
 Continued funding of the RESOLV Cluster of Excellence in the Excellence Strategy (Ruhr University Bochum/TU Dortmund University)
2024Foundation of the Council for Ethics and Responsibility
 Foundation of the International Advisory Board
2022/2023Establishment of the Research Center and the College, appointment of outstanding professors
2021Establishment of the Research Alliance Ruhr
 Establishment of the third area of expertise "Empirical economic research"
2019Establishment of the second area of expertise "Energy - System - Transformation"
 Launch of the first trilateral Master's degree program "Econometrics"
 Establishment of the Engineering Alliance Ruhr (EAR)
2018Start of the second joint Master's degree program "Empirical Multilingualism Research" between TU Dortmund University and RUB
 Continued funding of the RESOLV Cluster of Excellence in the Excellence Strategy (RUB/TU Dortmund)
2017Establishment of the Founder Initiative Ruhr
 Establishment of the first competence field "Metropolitan Research"
 Foundation of the Research Academy Ruhr to promote young talent
 Signing of a new framework cooperation agreement
2016Foundation of the Alliance for Research on East Asia(AREA Ruhr) between UDE and RUB
2015Establishment of the first two profile focus areas"Materials Chain" and "Ruhr Explores Solvation" (RESOLV)
2014Renaming to University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr)
2013Launch of the first joint Master's degree program"Biodiversity" between RUB and UDE
 Appointment of the UA Ruhr Research Council
2011Opening of the UA Ruhr liaison office in São Paulo
 Start of the first joint Bachelor's/Master's degree program in "Medical Physics" between TU Dortmund University and RUB
2010Foundation of the Mercator Research Center Ruhr (MERCUR)
2009Opening of the UA Ruhr liaison office in Moscow
 Establishment of the RuhrCampus³ educational area for the mutual recognition of study and examination achievements
 Foundation of the Civil Engineering Unit Ruhr (construction sciences) between RUB and UDE
 Establishment of the ScienceCareerNet Ruhr program for young scientists
2007Foundation of the Engineering Unit Ruhr (mechanical engineering) between RUB and TU Dortmund University
 Foundation of the Ruhr-Alliance ETIT (Electrical Engineering/Information Technology) between RUB and TU Dortmund University
 Foundation of the University Alliance Metropolis Ruhr (UAMR) on March 12
2004Opening of the UA Ruhr liaison office in New York (ConRuhr New York)