Wintershall Dea supports international collaboration and research at the stem student congress

• The 11th STEM Student Congress is being held from 19 to 24 October, organised by the North Hesse School Student Research Centre (SFN)
• More than 90 lectures, project presentations and workshops – online and on site
• With an annual donation of €25,000, Wintershall Dea is one of the main sponsors of the SFN as of this year

As one of the main sponsors of the North Hesse School Student Research Centre (SFN), Wintershall Dea, Europe’s leading independent natural gas and oil company, is also supporting this year’s STEM Student Congress. From 19 to 24 October, school students of all ages will be able to experience research projects hands on in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and conduct their own experiments.

In view of the current coronavirus pandemic, the congress will take place for the first time in a new format. More than 90 lectures, project presentations and workshops will be held both online and at the SFN premises under the heading “Perspectives: Views of the world”. That means young researchers, but also external speakers from Germany and across the globe can take part in the STEM Student Congress.

In a video message to mark the opening of the STEM Student Congress, Thilo Wieland, member of the Wintershall Dea Executive Board, said: “The current Covid-19 pandemic has shown us that we need cross-border, international research if we want to tackle major challenges together. In this regard, the congress is a lighthouse project that shines out far beyond Kassel.”

As one of the main sponsors of the SFN, Wintershall Dea is especially committed to continuously supporting bright minds from Kassel and beyond. “Young and curious talents gifted in science are at work here. They bravely lead the way and show, full of drive and innovation, what they’re capable of – that’s exactly what our city of Kassel needs as a location for science and research,” says Board member Thilo Wieland. Wintershall Dea supports the work of the SFN, at which more than 40 employees advise the young research enthusiasts in their independent projects, with an annual donation of €25,000.

In collaboration with other student research centres, the SFN is once again offering events in English this year. Experts from France, Slovakia, Italy and the USA have confirmed their participation. Teams from School No. 17 in Novy Urengoy in Western Siberia will also present their project ideas. Since 2017, they have been carrying out joint research with students from the SFN in science projects and taking part in international competitions. That makes the STEM Student Congress not only a flagship for research and science in Kassel, but also for international understanding and intercultural exchange.

With two lectures and a workshop, Wintershall Dea will also play an active role this year in the varied programme of the 11th STEM Student Congress, turning the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics into a hands-on experience.

More information and the programme for the 11th STEM Student Congress can be found at the following link: http://schuelerkongress-kassel.de/

^{About Wintershall Dea
Wintershall Dea is Europe’s leading independent natural gas and oil company with more than 120 years of experience as an operator and project partner along the entire E&P value chain. The company with German roots and headquarters in Kassel and Hamburg explores for and produces gas and oil in 13 countries worldwide in an efficient and responsible manner. With activities in Europe, Russia, Latin America and the MENA region (Middle East & North Africa), Wintershall Dea has a global upstream portfolio and, with its participation in natural gas transport, is also active in midstream business.}

^{Wintershall Dea was formed from the merger of Wintershall Holding GmbH and DEA Deutsche Erdoel AG, in 2019. Today, the company employs around 2,800 people worldwide from over 60 nations.}