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 		THESIS e.V.
An Introduction
THESIS is an independet, non-profit organisation of candidates for a doctor's degree all over Germany. It was founded in 1991 by doctorands who wanted to create a platform for communication between students of all faculties. German doctorands are often confronted with the problem of isolation during their studies. If they are not integrated in research departments of their universities, they mostly work on their own, only in contact with their supervisors. Thus many German doctorands are left alone during their long and intensive research on a - in most cases - very specialized subject. THESIS - as an organisation of students for students - tries to make communication between doctorands easier and, at the same time, wants to be a representation of interests for them. It has some 400 members and is organised in regional groups, which meet on a regular basis to discuss problems, to exchange experiences etc.

Apart from that, THESIS offers several services for its members:

  • An annual register with names, addresses and fields of research of all members. This register, the THESAURUS, is the basic means for getting into contact with each other.
  • A journal, named THESE, appears bimonthly. Every member is free to publish articles on topics concerning his/her own field of research or information on technical points concerning scientific and academic work - e.g. time-management, information retrieval, bibliographical problems, publication of the thesis etc.. Apart from that THESE is used to announce meetings, to ask for help or information - it is the central means of communication for the members.
  • An annual workshop. For a weekend lectures and seminars on interdiciplinary topics are held by members. This workshop, which in the last years took place on a medieval castle in Southern Germany, is open to all members and also to students who want to know more about THESIS' work.
  • An email list for discussion and information exchange.
  • As unemployment is a very severe problem for post-graduates, THESIS regularly organises surveys among companies on the professional prospects of post-graduates. The results are published for the members and serve as an orientation for the students concerning the needs and expectations of companies.
By these means THESIS tries to stimulate interdisciplinary communication between the students and to make it easier for them to find help and support.

THESIS is a member of the Postgraduates International Network "PI-net".

Last change: Jan. 11, 1998
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