Minister Ina Brandes and Bochum University Rector Martin Paul during a tour of the GAIN recruiting fair
Minister Brandes at the University Alliance Ruhr’s joint booth with university leaders Barbara Albert (third from the left), Manfred Bayer (fourth from the left), and Martin Paul (second from the right)
The University Alliance Ruhr was present with a large booth during the three days of the GAIN conference.
GAIN 2026
Days of Inspiration and Connection
At the international talent fair, everyone could be convinced of the strengths of the Ruhr region. Subsequently, the UA Ruhr delegation visited Stanford University.
The GAIN annual conference in San Francisco brought together young researchers, universities, funding organizations, and partner institutions from the entire transatlantic academic community. Among them: the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), which made the strengths of the Ruhr region visible with a joint appearance. NRW’s Minister of Science, Ina Brandes, also got an impression of this at the UA Ruhr’s joint booth. The GAIN conference took place from August 21 to 23, 2026. Afterwards, rectors from NRW universities, including the UA Ruhr delegation, visited Stanford University together with Minister of Science Brandes.
Research, Funding, and Collaboration Benefits
The three universities of the UA Ruhr, with their leaders Martin Paul (Ruhr University Bochum), Manfred Bayer (TU Dortmund University), and Barbara Albert (University Duisburg-Essen), presented joint research initiatives, university-wide research funding programs for talents, and the unique advantages of the alliance. With their expertise, the representatives of the three universities also contributed to the GAIN program, for example in workshops and panel discussions. For Ruhr University Bochum, colleagues from the Research School were also on site, advising interested researchers on career options and funding opportunities.
Scientific Careers in the Ruhr Region
“Representing Ruhr University Bochum as part of the University Alliance Ruhr at the annual conference and talent fair of GAIN – German Academic International Network – in San Francisco was a privilege,” said Rector Martin Paul. “Furthermore, I am delighted that Manfred Bayer and I had the opportunity to present the mission of our Ruhr Innovation Lab, which will offer innovative scientific career perspectives in the Ruhr region. It was inspiring to see how our joint vision and ideas resonated with research talents and partners from all over the world.”
Stanford: Entrepreneurial Spirit and Expertise
The visit to Stanford University took place at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture and Science of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The focus was on the successful spin-offs from the university and the culture of creative experimentation and entrepreneurship practiced there. In various areas of the university, there were concrete insights and examples of why Stanford is so successful in promoting entrepreneurial spirit and technical expertise.
