Current News

The next WELCOME INFO event will take place on 2 October 2025 at 3:30 p.m. at the Magdeburg Welcome Service, Breiter Weg 120a, 1st floor.

Topic: Childcare in Magdeburg. The event will cover:

• different forms of childcare (daycare center, childminder, etc.),

• the registration process,

• benefits of childcare for children.

Participation is free of charge. The event will be held in German with Persian interpretation.

Registration:
by email: welcome@stadt.magdeburg.de
or by phone: +49 391 540 6911 / -6912 / -2662

👉 More information:
WELCOME INFO: Childcare in Magdeburg – City of Magdeburg

On October 6, a workshop on Mastodon and the Fediverse will take place, organized by Mathias Magdowski (FEIT) and Thomas Kahle. The focus is on a social network that deliberately distinguishes itself from the major platforms: it is not owned by any company but is operated by its users.

A central part of the Fediverse is Mastodon, a platform designed for text-based content. Unlike commercial networks, there is no advertising and no algorithmic sorting—posts are displayed chronologically. Users decide for themselves what they see and who they want to connect with.

This independence makes Mastodon a truly social network. Discussions involve real exchanges, such as the latest research on neutrino masses or Terry Tao’s thoughts on large language models in the mathematics olympiad. Examples can be explored directly on Mastodon:

• John Carlos Baez on neutrino masses

• Terry Tao on LLMs

It’s no surprise that Mastodon, as a representative of the Fediverse idea, has been nominated for the 2025 Grimme Online Award.

The workshop offers an introduction to how Mastodon works and the possibilities of the Fediverse. Everyone interested is invited to explore this open and transparent alternative to the major platforms.

📅 Mastodon Workshop
🗓 October 6, 2025
📍 Tentatively in the Common Room of FMA
🔗 Registration: thomas-kahle.de/mastodon2025

We are excited to share two outstanding opportunities for international researchers: the Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Azrieli International Visiting PhD Fellowship. Both programs are designed for exceptional researchers aiming to advance their work at leading academic institutions in Israel.

Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship (2026–27)

This fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines who wish to further their research in Israel. Benefits include:

• A monthly stipend of 14,000 ILS

• A duration of up to three years

The online application is now open and closes on November 19, 2025. Please note: candidates must secure an academic sponsor in Israel before applying.

Azrieli International Visiting PhD Fellowship (Spring 2026)

This fellowship enables PhD candidates to undertake short-term research stays at leading Israeli institutions. Benefits include:

• A monthly stipend of 12,000 ILS

• Duration of up to four months

The application deadline for the Spring 2026 cohort is October 27, 2025. Applications for the Fall 2026 semester will open in March 2026. An academic sponsor in Israel is required.

About the Azrieli Foundation

For over 35 years, the Azrieli Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening communities and improving lives through strategic and impactful giving. The foundation supports initiatives in education, science & healthcare, research, and the arts, in both Canada and Israel.

For more information, visit: azrielifoundation.org

We encourage all international researchers to explore these exciting opportunities and submit their applications. Please help us share these fellowships with potential candidates!