This post is about someone we haven’t introduced till now. Our “new kid” is Bianka Fernengel from the Human Resources department.
Bianka steps in for Alissa. She is the first team member who already has African experiences. This is what she told me:
“Whilst never having been to Ghana before, this is not my first trip to Africa. In 2016 I was lucky enough to visit South Africa where I participated in a volunteering project working with animal sanctuaries. This was a great experience as I had the chance to see some of Africas amazing scenery and also got very close to many different wild animals such as monkeys, giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs etc.”
Sounds like a great adventure. However, what is Bianka’s task in Accra? I think in a way it’s an adventure too…
“In Accra my role will be to look after the side programme. Unfortunately my colleague Alissa Aarts, who did all the organisation and planning for this part of the event, won’t be able to join the event, so I am stepping in for her. My greatest challenge will be to ensure the smooth running of the programme and ensure participants and partners alike are properly welcomed and looked after to ensure they can get the best possible benefit from the programme. I will be facilitating, and partaking in, the round table discussions as well as the panel discussion. I will also be providing the opportunity for any interested participants to get their CV checked and provide suggestions on how to refine them if required. In addition I will be available to provide you with additional information regarding the Forschungszentrum Jülich as a potential employer.”
Since she hasn’t been in the team from the beginning Bianka is very busy at the moment:
“Due to taking over from Alissa at short notice I have not been involved in the earlier elements of the planning for this project. However, I am now working very hard to prepare myself for the event and ensure I am fully up to speed by the time we get there. We do not know exactly what to expect in Accra, as no one from the Forschungszentrum has been there before and hence we have no idea about the local facilities and conditions. Whilst these unknown factors are adding to the pressure it also makes the trip very exciting and a bit more of an adventure and it will all work out fine in the end …….. I am sure.”
Bianka, everyone here is sure, it will all work out fine. In addition we, who stay in Jülich, wish you and the whole team the very best.
Any questions left? This is Biankas key message for eryone reading this post:
“I think this is both a great project and an amazing opportunity for us to promote the Forschungszentrum Jülich as a leading employer in the field of scientific research and I am very proud to be part of it. I am particularly looking forward to the wealth of new experiences that I am sure I am going to gain during my time in Ghana. I have heard, and read, so many interesting things about this exiting and diverse country and I can’t wait to finally get to Ghana and hope to meet many of you there.”
