On March 31, 2016, representatives from the business community, the city of Weißwasser, and the university met to take stock of the first six months since the opening of the “Treffpunkt: HSZG” in Weißwasser in September 2015. In his opening remarks, the Prorector for Research, Professor Dr. Tobias Zschunke, once again emphasized the university’s goal of deepening its ties to the northern part of the district through various past and future events and raising public awareness of existing collaborations.
Dr.-Ing. Daniel Seibt of VPC Vetschau reflected on a long-standing collaboration with the university, beginning with his own studies in energy and environmental engineering in Zittau. In his presentation, he addressed the increased demands placed on young engineers, which now include not only extensive and in-depth technical knowledge but also social competence such as teamwork, intercultural competence, and language proficiency.
The second speaker, Sascha Melcher, managing director of Niederschlesische Werkstätten Weißwasser gGmbH, is also a graduate of the Faculty of Social Sciences who found a position of responsibility in the region. He presented the development of the workshops for people with disabilities, from their founding in 1990 as an association to the establishment of the gGmbH in 2003. As an example of the current collaboration with the university, he gave attendees a glimpse into an ongoing project by students in the Special Needs Education/Inclusion Studies degree programme, who are working with staff and management to develop a concept for signage and work instructions in plain language.
In the ensuing discussion, participants explored, among other things, how to intensify the existing collaboration with schools in and around Weißwasser so that young people are as well-informed as possible about the study and training opportunities in their home region. Ways to actively recruit returnees were also discussed. Those present—representing the university, the business community, and the city of Weißwasser—expressed their willingness to engage in further, goal-oriented collaboration.
This allowed for a positive assessment of the “Treffpunkt: HSZG” initiative after six months of operation. Preparations for the next events are already in full swing. On April 28, 2016, university staff members Lutz Haberland and Tobias Schlüter will present funding opportunities for SMEs.
Text: Cornelia Müller
Photo: Katrin Reinke

Contact “Treffpunkt: HSZG”:

Katrin Reinke
Tel: 03583 61 1431
k.reinke@hszg.de