University Alliance Ruhr

The UA Ruhr is an alliance between Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Duisburg-Essen, the three largest universities in Germany’s thriving Ruhr Area. Each of our institutions has a strong tradition of breaking down walls between disciplines. We believe in the benefits of collaboration on all levels of scholarship and research, which is one of the reasons we came together in this unique university alliance.

The Three Universities Affiliated in University Alliance Ruhr

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On March 12, 2007, the three partner universities Bochum, Dortmund and Duisburg-Essen consolidated as University Alliance Ruhr in order to bundle their respective competencies and resources and to continuously optimize their performance and competitiveness – following the principle “three universities, one community, endless opportunities”. The UA Ruhr’s success has been amply demonstrated, as numerous Collaborative Research Centres and Research Training Groups have been established under its umbrella. In addition to research and teaching excellence, all three UA Ruhr universities strongly promote transfer, equal opportunities, family-friendly workplace environment, environmental protection, sustainability, and health.

Learn more about the three universities and their individual strengths and research profiles below:


Since its foundation in 1965 as the Ruhr’s first university, Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) has grown into an organization with a strong research focus. It integrates the full range of scientific and research disciplines under one roof and, with its dedicated future strategy, explores avenues of innovation in academia. The RUB's mission “Creating Knowledge Networks” is realized in numerous intra-disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations. These collaborations are embedded into the RUB Research Departments:

  • Solvation Science
  • IT Security
  • Neuroscience
  • Materials Research Department
  • Center for Religious Studies
  • Protein Research Department
  • Plasmas with Complex Interactions
  • Subsurface Modeling and Engineering
  • Closed Carbon Cycle Economy


The Research Department “Solvation Science” is part of the Cluster of Excellence “Ruhr Explores Solvation” (RESOLV) – a joint undertaking with the partner universities in Dortmund and Duisburg-Essen.
In order to provide best possible conditions for top-level research, RUB has acquired grants for four new research buildings to date:

  • ZEMOS – Centre for Molecular Spectroscopy and Simulation of Solvent-Directed Processes
  • ZGH – Center for Interface-Dominated High-Performance Materials
  • ProDi – Centre for Molecular Protein Diagnostics
  • ZESS – Centre for Engineering of Smart Product Service Systems
  • THINK - Center for Theoretical and Integrative Neuro- and Cognitive Science


A detailed portrait as well as current facts and figures can be found at the RUB homepage.

Researching nature, educating people, facing technological challenges, and shaping the cultural and societal changes associated therewith: these are the core competencies of TU Dortmund University.
According to its founding charter, TU Dortmund University is deeply committed to interdisciplinary cooperation between natural and engineering sciences on the one hand and social and cultural studies on the other hand and fosters their specific research and teaching cultures.

At the intersection between disciplines in the four major branches of science, namely engineering & computer sciences, natural sciences, social studies, and cultural studies, innovative synergy potentials for research are exploited and an up-to-the-minute educational approach is established. This is first and foremost reflected in the TU Dortmund University's interdisciplinary collaborations, such as LogistikCampus or the Integrated Research Center for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. These joint undertakings are embedded into the four profile areas, where research excellence is produced across disciplinary borders that is best-in-class on an international level:

  • Materials, Production Technology and Logistics
  • Chemical Biology, Drug Research and Process Engineering
  • Data Analysis, Modeling and Simulation
  • Education, Schooling and Inclusion


In order to ensure interdisciplinary and cross-faculty networking, TU Dortmund University operates central research institutions that provide a wealth of services for research and education:

  • Dortmunder Kompetenzzentrum für Lehrerbildung und Lehr-/Lernforschung (DoKoLL)
  • Sozialforschungsstelle Dortmund (sfs)
  • DELTA – Center for Synchrotron Radiation at TU Dortmund University
  • Center for Higher Education (zhb)


The Dortmund technology park is situated in close vicinity to the TU Dortmund campus and houses approx. 300 enterprises. It covers the full range of information and communication technology, biomedicine, microtechnology and nanotechnology, as well as production and manufacturing technology. Located in the technology park, TechnologieZentrumDortmund provides excellent conditions for high-tech startups and young enterprises.

Current data, facts & figures are available on TU Dortmund homepage.

According to its principle, the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) thinks in terms of opportunities rather than in terms of limitations and considers itself a unit comprised of all disciplines and all its members. With regard to research, education and management, UDE is committed to national and international standards in order to fulfil its educational mandate and to promote the Ruhr’s structural transformation.
The UDE’s research spectrum comprises four cross-faculty clusters, organized in the following profile areas:

  • Nanoscience
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • The Future of Urban Systems
  • Transformation of Contemporary Societies


A number of Central Scientific Institutes ensure and boost outstanding research performance. The Institutes thus help raise the UDE’s profile and play a crucial role in making it an attractive and vibrant science hub. The Institutes include:

  • CENIDE – Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen
  • IN-EAST – Institute of East Asian Studies
  • ZMB – Centre for Medical Biotechnology
  • ZWU – Centre for Water and Environmental Research


The University of Duisburg-Essen lives up to its principle of maintaining a union between research and education, in accordance with the fundamental idea of “university”. Optimum study and work conditions are ensured throughout all disciplines and at all degree levels, in order to foster science and research-based academic education.
UDE considers the heterogeneity of its student body and members of staff a great chance and nurtures productive diversity by implementing dedicated Diversity Management measures. Diversity is understood to promote both educational justice and excellence. Gender equality is an integral part of this policy.

An overview of detailed facts and figures is provided at the UDE homepage.