The last Future Lab for the time being took place on 31 May 2018. During a total of six events of this kind held between January and May 2018, key questions were discussed, envisioning the TUD anniversary year of 2028 and concerning the proposal in the University of Excellence funding line of the German Federal and State Governments.

The sixth Future Lab, entitled “Werdegang oder Weggang?” (Career Lane or Brain Drain?), dealt with the criteria regarding good personnel development. Which qualifications, funding and services help junior researchers and supporting staff? What makes TU Dresden attractive as an employer and what do we understand by good leadership?

In his closing speech, Rector Prof. Hans Müller-Steinhagen expressed his enthusiasm on behalf of the entire University Executive Board for the way the Future Labs have been received and for the “lift” this series of events has generated. The numerous discussions were held with the aim of taking stock of the status quo in an open, virtually “unvarnished” manner. The participants showed a broad willingness to be involved actively in shaping and advancing TU Dresden.

Each of the six Future Labs was attended by an average of around 100 participants, including lecturers, students and staff of TU Dresden and the DRESDEN-concept institutions. 145 participants attended more than one Future Lab. Around 30 people were involved in the preparation and follow-up work of each Future Lab. They moderated events, took the minutes and worked in the organisation team.

Now, the Future Labs are ready for “debriefing”. From the minutes, documentations will be drawn up and made available online for all members of TUD. The documentations form the basis for discussions in committees and working groups, for deriving recommendations for action and for preparing concepts. The injection of ideas and feedback into the University has in some cases already been initiated. A number of suggestions from the Future Labs can be implemented quickly, while medium and long-term topics will be incorporated into TUD planning up till 2028, and also partly into the new Excellence University proposal.