Ruhr University Bochum (German: Ruhr-Universität Bochum, commonly referred to as RUB) is a research university located in the southernmost part of the central city of Bochum in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was established in 1962 and is one of the leading universities in the country. The university has around 45,000 students enrolled in more than 170 different degree programs. Around 3,700 scientists and academics are employed at the university.
The main focus areas of research at Ruhr University Bochum include medicine, energy research, materials science as well as computer science and information technology. In recent years, the university has also been increasingly involved in interdisciplinary projects. One example is the “FutureLab2050” which deals with global challenges such as energy transition or water availability.
Ruhr University Bochum is also home to several internationally renowned institutes such as the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), which conducts cutting-edge research in astrophysics and solar physics, or the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, which is one of Europe’s leading centres for applied industrial research.
The roots of Ruhr University Bochum go back to 1818 when King William I founded “Königliche Bergakademie” (Royal Mining Academy) – today’s TU Dortmund – following plans by Friedrich Schlegel to educate highly qualified mining engineers . In 1928, “Technische Hochschule für Bergbau und Huttenindustrie” (University of Mining and Metallurgy) was founded after merging “Königliche Bergakademie” with several other institutions . However, it was not until 1962 that what is now known as Ruhr University Bochum came into being: on July 16th 1962 North Rhine-Westphalia decided to establish a new technical university comprising existing institutions in Herne and Witten . On April 1st 1963 this decision became effective when “Technische Hochschule für Bergbau und Huttenindustrie” moved from Witten to its current location on Querenburger Strasse in bohemian quarter Laer district next door to Herne . The name “Ruhr-Universität” was chosen because mostof its buildings were erected on land that had previously belongedto coal mines belonging tot he former company “Ruhrtalwerke”.In 1965 another milestonewas reached whenthe newly founded Facultyof Medicine started teachingthe first medical students . Nowadays Facultiesof Mathematics& Natural Sciences , SocialSciences & Economics , Philosophy & Historyas wellas Medicine all belong tot he RUBOcampusonQuerenburger Straßein Laer district oft he city centerof bohemianquarterBochumat an altitude oft about 200 m above sea level .