From 30 September to 7 October 2026, the Berlin Mathematical School (BMS) welcomed its new Phase I and Phase II students with a diverse BMS Orientation Week program. Combining essential academic information, intercultural training, and opportunities to connect, the events offered newcomers a smooth start to their studies and research in Berlin.


The Orientation Week kicked off on 30 September at the TU Berlin IMoS building, bringing together 18 students from Phase I and 20 Phase II students. The opening session with a welcome speech by BMS Chair John M. Sullivan, followed by an overview of the BMS study regulations, MATH+ Fridays, soft-skills seminars, travel cost regulations, and mental health support, presented by MATH+ Managing Director Nadja Wisniewski and BMS Gender & Diversity Manager Tanja Fagel. Students also had the opportunity to meet BMS student representative Medha Yelimeli.

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In the afternoon, the program continued with sessions tailored to the different study phases. Phase I students learned about the master's study regulations at Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Technische Universität Berlin, as well as the transition to Phase II. Meanwhile, Phase II students received introductions to initial mentoring by three experts and research data management from MATH+ Chief Data Officer Tim Hasler.

    

Beyond academic matters, the Orientation Week emphasized social activities that provided opportunities for students to get to know one another and build connections. A guided walking tour through Berlin on 1 October invited students to explore their new academic home. Intercultural training sessions led by Demian Goos encouraged participants to reflect on cultural differences and develop skills for working in an international research environment. Campus tours with student representatives on 6 October provided further opportunities to discover the university locations and exchange experiences with peers.

Phase I students gained insights into the research landscape of MATH+ on 5 October. MATH+ Chair Claudia Schillings introduced the MATH+ research projects, followed by presentations of the BMS core courses by BMS FU Liaison Officer Alexios Nompilakis, MATH+ team member Angel Zambrano, and 15 professors from the three universities.

The introductory program will continue on 19 and 20 October with a seminar on Good Scientific Practice, organized by Tanja Fagel, highlighting the importance of responsible and ethical research.

With its combination of academic guidance, practical information, and community-building activities, BMS Orientation Week 2026 laid the foundation for a successful start to students’s academic journeys at the Berlin Mathematical School, and for building lasting connections within Berlin's vibrant mathematics community.