We are supporting future researchers with the MAXMINDS Project!
What is MAXMINDS?
MAXMINDS is a project of the Max Planck Society (MPG) Earthquake Relief Working Group, established shortly after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023.
What is the aim of the project?
Our project aims to bring together undergraduate and graduate students from the earthquake-affected region with MPG researchers through an online mentoring program.
Who can participate as a mentee?
If you have been affected by the earthquake, have successfully completed at least four semesters at university, or are a graduate student, you can participate in the project as a mentee. Additionally, if you are interested in academic research in any field, you can receive career support from our mentors in this direction. If possible, knowing English will increase your chances of being matched with a mentor, as some of our mentors do not speak Turkish or Arabic and need to conduct their meetings in English.
Who can participate as a mentor?
All MPG personnel (researchers and administrative staff) are willing to contribute to this project, and anyone who has previously been a researcher or worked at MPG can participate as a mentor. Our aim is to gather mentors working in every field to support mentees studying in different areas.
How will the mentoring program work?
Students accepted into the online mentoring program will gain access to register on the mentoring platform. On this platform, you will have the chance to be matched with an MPG employee conducting research in your field of study or a related field. Another matching criterion depends on what you want to gain from the mentorship; thus, even if there is no mentor in the same field, many mentors can assist you. For example, organizing a CV, preparing applications, or improving in a particular foreign language.
Before starting the meetings, both mentees and mentors will receive brief training about the process. Once mentor-mentee meetings begin, one-on-one sessions will continue for at least six months. Mentors and mentees are required to meet online at least once a month during this period.
What is expected to be achieved by the end of the program?
By the end of the program, mentees will have achieved most of the goals they set with their mentors. Therefore, it is crucial to establish common goals and clarify expectations from day one. Additionally, both our mentors and mentees will receive a certificate upon completing their meetings.
What other objectives does the project have?
The project aims to equip MPI volunteers with personal skills and enhance their collaboration experience, which is essential for their success in their roles.
How many participants are expected in the program?
In the first six-month mentoring period of this transformative mentoring program (February 2024 - August 2024), fifty mentees successfully completed the program and received their certificates. Approximately 90% of our mentees stated that the mentoring experience supported them exceptionally well.
What is the impact of the earthquakes on education?
In Turkey alone, the earthquakes damaged more than 20,000 school buildings. This harsh reality underscores the disaster's broad impact on the future of education and science. MAXMINDS aims to help these young people realize their potential and become successful researchers despite the challenges they face due to earthquakes.
Until when is the project funded?
The project is funded until the end of August 2025.
MAXMINDS is proposed by the Earthquake Relief Working Group, which was established within Max Planck Society (MPG) shortly after the devastating earthquakes that struck areas of Turkey and Syria on 6 February 2023. The Working Group brings together a talented and diverse team of almost a hundred members, including both current and former members, from almost fifty Max Planck Institutes (MPIs) who have roots in or strong ties to the region. Realizing that the long-term effects of the earthquakes will be felt most acutely by the younger generation in the affected region, the members of the Working Group are dedicated to creating a sustainable, long-term project that will keep them in close contact with the youth.
This project aims to create an online mentoring program that connects MPG staff with bachelor and master students who have been impacted by the earthquake in the region. It welcomes all MPG staff (scientific and managerial/administrative) and alumni who are willing to contribute to this project. This online mentoring program will provide both individual and group mentoring sessions. One-to-one sessions will continue at least for six months once the mentor-mentee meetings start. The project itself is funded until the end of 2024, which might then be extended to offer support to new mentees. The main objectives of the program are to equip students with the knowledge and skills that are needed for the successful completion of their degrees and to provide guidance for their future careers. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to develop essential skills, such as preparing applications for postgraduate degrees, internships, and job opportunities. The project also aims to equip MPI volunteers with soft skills and enhance the collaborative work experience that the employees need to succeed in their roles. We expect around one hundred students and mentors to participate in this transformative mentoring program.
In Turkey alone, the earthquakes caused damage to more than 20,000 school buildings, highlighting the far-reaching impact of this disaster on the future of education and science. The program will not only provide academic assistance in certain subjects but also offer career advice and mentoring tailored to the individual needs of the mentees. We aim to help these young people realize their full potential and become successful researchers and associates despite the challenges they have faced due to the earthquakes.