Hundreds of people explore new Viadrina Coworking Space
On this evening, the foyer is as full as it was when the old canteen was still open: more than 400 guests have come to experience the opening of the Viadrina Coworking Space on 15 April 2026. The atmosphere is full of expectation and curiosity. "The first good news is: the coworking space is finally completed. The second good news is that I'm the last speaker before we get started," says the visibly cheerful Minister of Science of the State of Brandenburg, Dr Manja Schüle, as she welcomes everyone. Together with Viadrina President Prof Dr Eduard Mühle and the student representative on the Presidential Board, Jendrik Fabisch, she cuts the blue ribbon. This marks the official opening of the new learning, work and meeting place.
Immediately afterwards, the room fills with life. Viadrina students and employees, as well as guests from Frankfurt (Oder) and the region, explore the spacious, light-flooded area, try out the seating furniture and talk to each other. "I'm coming straight back tomorrow to work," is heard several times. Visitors from the city also show interest - and cautiously ask if they can also use the space. The answer is a clear yes.
"Our coworking space offers a wide range of opportunities: for individual learning and research, for collaborative work, for exchange and encounters as well as the development of start-up ideas," says Eduard Mühle, summarising the concept. The space deliberately sees itself as an open offer - for the university as well as for its partners in the city and region.
Picture gallery
On the opening evening, ideas and wishes for the coworking space can be left in one of the glass workspaces, the so-called carrels. These include good coffee and tea, an inspiring work atmosphere, additional sofas, interesting conversations, new friendships and formats such as readings and workshops.
The start-up area will be creative and colourful: visions of the future will be built from a maximum of ten Lego bricks for the emerging Maker Space, which start-up students can use for their business ideas.
Not only those who are seeing and experiencing the coworking space for the first time today have come to the opening - but also long-standing pioneers and supporters of the project. These include employees of the Brandenburg Ministry of Science, Research and Culture as well as Vice President Janine Nuyken and Prof Dr Stephan Kudert, former Vice President and intermittant President. Together, they developed the initial ideas for the remodelling of the former canteen and got the funding off the ground.
Water dispensers and a fully automatic coffee machine are available for catering in the coworking space; two microwaves can also be used. The "Ramen Point Viadrina" is also due to open soon - two vending machines offering a small selection of food and drinks. It will open in around two months. During that time you will be able to help decide what to eat: Ramen and rice bowls, sandwiches, snacks such as nuts, seaweed snacks and chocolate bars as well as cold drinks. >> to the survey
Read more about the Viadrina Coworking Space:
Opening hours and use of the carrels
The Viadrina Coworking Space is open to everyone on weekdays from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm and at weekends from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. The carrels - glass workspaces for one to 25 people - can be booked by students and employees via the Viadrina app.
Translated by DeepL and edited
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