Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - HU-Docs

Origins of HU-Docs

On December 16, 2003, the Vice-President of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin invited doctoral stipendiaries from different foundations to discuss their academic situation at the HU. This meeting addressed fundamental issues that the graduate students faced at the moment and in the years to come. It was agreed improving the situation was of the highest priority, and an increased cooperation between the university and its graduate students was promoted.

To bring about constructive changes, the doctoral candidates agreed to meet on a regular basis. Therefore, the „Promovierendeninitiative der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – HUPI“ (initiative of the doctoral candidates of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) was founded on January 19th, 2004. The initiative grew and graduate students of all disciplines and all nations joined it. Problems addressed are especially those of students that aren't Berlin natives. In the winter term 2004/2005 HUPI was renamed „HUPI International“ to reflect this.

By the end of the summer term 2010 a new change came about. HUPI International became the association „HU-Docs“ (short for the „Doctoral Students Network of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin“) which represents all (national and international) graduate students at the Humboldt-Universität. An association was founded in order to benefit from a better status. In its first constitutive meeting a new team was elected.

HU-Docs is supervised by the Humboldt Graduate School and the Abteilung Internationales and closely cooperates with them. It is furthermore affiliated with the Humboldt-Universität's Alumni, the Humboldt-Universitäts-Gesellschaft and the interdisciplinary, nationwide doctoral student network THESIS e.V.