For the tenth time, children are turning Vienna’s universities upside down

For months, many children, among them my daughter and several of her friends, have been looking forward to a popular focal point during their summer vacation – the KinderuniWien. Already for the tenth time, Vienna’s universities are opening their gates to children between seven and twelve who are thirsting for knowledge. For the tenth anniversary, they have come up with a large offer.

For my daughter, this year is also a little anniversary – for the fifth, and unfortunately last, time for her, two weeks in July, from the 9th through the 21st of July 2012, interesting and “cool” lectures are on the vacation program. The sequence of events is once again perfectly organized, as it was for the last four years. Online registration was completed in five minutes, registration day on June 17th, 2012 went by without any complications or long waiting periods, and courses and lectures can still be reserved comfortably online.

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During this anniversary summer, the selection is particularly comprehensive and highly promising. Altogether, 468 lectures, seminars, workshops and excursions are on offer at five universities this year. With 500 academics, the University of Vienna, the Medical University of Vienna, the Vienna University of Technology, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna and – new this year – the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna offer a broad spectrum of interesting topics, prepared in an age-appropriate manner. Every participating child has the opportunity to attend two workshops as well as eight lectures or seminars. Deciding on one’s favourites from among the multitude of wonderful and innovative offers is no easy task.

Special guests

It is not only top-level academics who convey their comprehensive knowledge in the courses. Genuine VIPs are also placing themselves in the service of the KinderuniWien. The President of Austria, Heinz Fischer, will answer the question, “What Does a Federal President Do All Day?” in his speech during the opening of the 10th KinderuniWien, and Minister of Science and Academics and philologist Karlheinz Töchterle will tell about Odysseus in his speech titled “Dragons, Giants, Magicians.” A major player in Austrian business, in his capacity as chief executive officer of A1 and Telekom Austria, will also participate. With his speech titled “What’s Behind WWW?” the business giant will set out on a journey through the World Wide Web for the KinderuniWien.

In addition to time-tested lectures of recent years (e.g., “Drawing Comics”), there are lots of new things to discover this year, such as “Vienna in 2045” or “What Do Wild Animals Need?” Practically every area of interest is covered.

Professional and well-organized

Recent years have shown that the course of the individual lectures and everything surrounding them are always perfectly organized and work well. The concluding highlight for all children is no doubt the degree ceremony on July 22nd, 2012, where the participating Kinderuni students are ceremoniously “sworn in” to constantly strive towards knowledge and never to stop inquiring and questioning. Afterwards there is an ice-cream as a reward and a diploma as a memento.

For anyone still seeking a vacation activity for children thirsting for knowledge, there’s nothing like this. All information and the courses that are still open can be found at www.kinderuni.at. Simply register, log in, pick up a Kinderuni Student ID at the University of Vienna and look forward to two weeks full of excitement and fun, free from the pressure of grades or the stress of exams. (Unfortunately, parents may not participate… that’s a shame.)

Have fun and a wonderful holiday!

Image credit:  ©  Kinderbüro der Universität Wien