Teaching reports

You can find important key data on studying and teaching on our "Figures - Data - Facts" page

An overview of the study programs accredited and certified during the reporting period can be found here.

The key data and results of the internal evaluation of teaching and learning for the teaching report period can be found here.

During the reporting period , the following measures were implemented with a focus on increasing/stabilizing student enrollment, ensuring compliance with the standard period of study, promoting academic success, further developing degree programmes and teaching in an attractive manner, and upgrading facilities (this list is not exhaustive):

Increasing/Stabilizing Student Enrollment

• Program (further) development: Design and introduction of new degree programmes (e.g., Bachelor’s in “International Business Communication,” Bachelor’s in “Green Engineering,” Bachelor’s in “Sustainable Business Management,” Bachelor’s in “European Business,” Bachelor’s in “Applied Nursing Science”), Merging of degree programmes, specifically the Master’s programmes in “integrated management” and “integrated management systems,” and the Bachelor’s programmes in “Business Administration” and “Business Administration for Program Students,” Revision of the curricula for existing degree programmes; opening the “Engineering Management” Diplom degree course as a KIA (sandwich-style) degree course; updating module content, including adapting module descriptions
• Collaborations & Networks: Maintaining and expanding cooperation with national and international partner universities (e.g., German-Kazakh University, Technical University of Liberec, University of Opole, University of Wrocław) and companies (KIA partners) for program development and integration of practical experience
• Program Promotion & Public Relations: Utilizing and further expanding marketing initiatives, e.g., social media communication, podcasts, program videos, blog articles, fairs, and press releases
• Trade ShowParticipation & Events: Participation in regional and national trade shows, conferences, and information events to recruit students
• High School Student & Parent Counseling: College open houses, parent-teacher conferences, individual counseling sessions, etc.
• Alumni & Academic Events: Lectures by graduates, e.g., at DIES ACADEMICUS; organization of academic events (e.g., OHA! Adventure in Science) and academic conferences
• Support & Counseling for Prospective Students: University information days held online and in person, subject-specific academic consulation, early personal contact after admission to ensure a smooth transition into studies, including via newsletters
• Online Presence & Print Media: Regular updates to the HSZG website, program brochures, and our presence on online study portals (StudyCheck, studieren.de)
• High School Student Projects & Internships: Introductory lectures, lab tours, experimental lectures, multi-day student internships, the Chemistry Olympiad, the Neiße Elektro Olympiad, etc.
• Increasing appeal through unique selling points: Emphasis on specialized course content (e.g., Diplom degree, introduction and renaming of specializations)
• International Programs & Exchanges: Development of degree programmes compatible with international standards, strengthening and maintaining cooperation with foreign partner universities, expansion of English-language modules to better appeal to international students, increased promotion of Erasmus programs to boost mobility figures
• Corporate contacts & integration of practical experience: Maintaining and expanding cooperation with companies; offering attractive additional opportunities for students (e.g., TIMS breakfasts)

Promoting compliance with the standard period of study

• Effective Exam Organization: Utilizing make-up and retake exam periods; offering individualized solutions within the framework of the examination regulations; and planning final dissertation defense dates in a timely manner
• Advising and support services: Consultations and individual coaching by faculty members; personal counseling sessions for students facing particular challenges
• Program Structure & Organization: Review and adjustment of Study and Examination Regulations to improve the manageability of the program; extension of the standard period of study to 7 semesters for the Bachelor’s program in “Culture and Management”
• Optimized Orientation Phase: Organization of “Come-In Weeks” with optional preparatory courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, etc., to prepare students for their studies; faculty orientation days featuring presentations on program concepts and academic organization
• Individual Support for Special Circumstances: Adjustment of semester schedules and academic calendars for students, for example, those with children, caregiving responsibilities, and/or who are employed
• Tutorials & Mentoring: Recruiting student tutors; a diverse range of subject-specific tutorials (e.g., mathematics, physics, chemistry); special tutorials for international students; upperclassmen advising underclassmen
• Support for Final Dissertations: Assistance in finding partners and topics for the final dissertation, early guidance from faculty members, and individualized advice on structuring the final phase of the degree program
• Support from program coordinators: Personal counseling sessions with students, particularly in cases of below-average academic performance.
• Information on course options: Information sessions on selecting areas of specialization and compulsory elective modules
• Flexibility & Adaptations: Specific measures for part-time students; module adaptations to account for varying levels of prior knowledge
• Promoting Community and Integration: Orientation activities at the start of the degree programme (e.g., team-building in the Ecology and Environmental Protection degree programme), stronger networking among students
• Cross-Program Special Provisions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Temporary adjustments to Study and Examination Regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic (enactment and amendment of flexible regulations), support for students affected by the pandemic (including hybrid classes / courses)
• Supporting academic continuity: Individual guidance and counseling provided by deans of studies, academic advisors, and upper-class students
• Improving academic information: Updating informational materials, targeted counseling on degree programmes/modules/practical study phases
• Improving academic organization: Optimizing course organization to reduce delays in grade assignment

Increasing and ensuring academic success

• Tutorials & Exam Preparation: Offering student-led tutorials in core subjects and specifically for challenging modules, including exam preparation
• Early orientation & preparatory courses: Orientation weeks with preparatory courses in mathematics, chemistry, etc., to prevent students from feeling overwhelmed by their studies
• Team-building & social integration: Get-to-know-you activities at the start of the academic year to strengthen cohesion among students
• Individual Counseling & Support: Personal counseling by academic advisors, program coordinators, and faculty, especially for students facing difficulties; individual support from faculty to prevent dropouts and exam deferrals
• Psychosocial support: Referring students to counseling services, e.g., the 'Studentenwerk' (student union) Dresden's psychosocial counseling center
• Support for International Students: Additional modules such as “Academic Writing,” integration into the Faculty Student Committee, support from a study scout, and specialized tutorials
• Expanded Student Advisory Service: Individual support for students taking an extended time to complete their degree and targeted assistance to help them continue their studies
• Monitoring & Analysis of Dropouts: Continuous evaluation of dropout rates and problematic modules, with measures for improvement
• Improvement of the academic structure: Analysis and adaptation of module content to enhance the manageability of the program and reduce obstacles
• Practical Focus & Corporate Partnerships: Closer collaboration with industry partners to strengthen the practical relevance of teaching
• Support for Final Dissertations: Assistance in finding a dissertation advisor, early planning of defense dates to avoid delays
• Flexibility in Exams & Make-up Dates: Utilization of make-up and retake exam periods; individual solutions within the framework of the examination regulations
• Advice on Course Options: Information sessions on selecting compulsory elective modules and areas of specialization

Further development of teaching and degree programmes

• Expansion of the range of programs: Initial enrollment in new degree programmes such as “International Business Communication,” “Mechanical Engineering Education,” and “Green Engineering”; design and development of new degree programmes such as “Applied Nursing Science,” “Sustainable Business Management,” and “European Business”
• Optimization of degree programmes: Merger of “Integrated Management” and “Integrated Management Systems” with adjustments to modules, credit hours, etc.,
  Merger of the degree programmes “Business Administration” and “Business Administration for Program Students,”
  Revision of the curricula of existing degree programmes in accordance with Introduction of new modules/compulsory elective modules, switching of modules between semesters, adjustment of credit allocation, changes to examination formats, etc.
• Strategic Development & Synergies: Launch of a strategic development process to modernize degree programmes and leverage synergies within the Faculty of Social Sciences; cooperation between faculties to develop new degree programmes, e.g., “Secondary School Teacher Training with Special Needs Education” in collaboration with the University of Leipzig,
  Suspension of enrolment to discontinue the “applied natural sciences” program (full-time, dual)
• Use of modern teaching methods: use of live streams and course recordings, use of interdisciplinary case studies to improve the transfer of theory to practice, etc.
• Digitization & modern assessment formats: Introduction of online exams (final dissertation defense), piloting of hybrid invigilated (written) examinations (SoTL project) and e-assessments (LernSMART project), transition from traditional invigilated (written) examinations to alternative assessment formats
• Focus on practice-oriented teaching: Introduction of new internships (e.g., Fluid Mechanics I), close collaboration with companies (e.g., guest lecturers), and increased integration of corporate projects into teaching
• Quality assurance & adjustments based on student feedback: external review of degree programmes (initial and re-accreditation/recertification) and regular evaluation of classes / courses and modules, providing input for adjusting module content, teaching methods, and exam formats, etc.
• Modernization of course content & materials: Updating module descriptions and teaching materials (slides, lecture notes, etc.), integrating new topics into subject modules, and increasing software licenses (e.g., T*SOL)
• Introduction of optimal entry-level programs: Introduction of preparatory courses in the Master’s in “Culture and Management” and the Master’s in “Integrated Management Systems”
• Maintenance of optional additional qualifications: Continuation of certificate courses (e.g., with TÜV, AUKOM e. V.) and field trips/courses/fieldwork to further students’ education

Further development of personnel, material, and financial resources

• Staff Development & Recruitment of New Specialists: Filling new professorships and other faculty positions; targeted measures for staff development and the recruitment of external lecturers
• Professional Development & Qualification: Participation of faculty members in university teaching methodology and subject-specific continuing education and professional development programs, e.g., AUKOM, e-learning (DIN EN ISO), 3D technologies, and English courses for faculty and administrative staff
• Incorporation of External Expertise: Greater integration of external instructors with practical experience to enhance the quality of instruction
• Addressing Staffing Shortages: Identifying critical staffing situations in individual degree programmes and addressing them by recruiting external instructors, etc.
• Increasing faculty funding: Expanding the budget for academic programs and teaching to improve facilities and learning conditions through external funding sources
• Modernizing the teaching infrastructure: Equipping teaching and learning spaces with modern presentation technology for hybrid and online teaching, replacing outdated projectors, modernizing lecture halls, and implementing measures for better sound absorption
• Improvement of laboratory and experimental facilities: Modernization of measurement data acquisition, sensor technology, and technical equipment to support hands-on teaching
• IT and software investments: Upgrading hardware and software in the computer lab, investing in digital infrastructure for hybrid teaching
• Expansion of learning and study spaces: Renting additional rooms; redesigning the public computer lab into a multifunctional learning space
• Renovation measures: Urgent renovations in laboratories, hallways, and basement rooms (e.g., flood damage from 2010)
• Adjustment of campus infrastructure: Discussions with the Dresden 'Studentenwerk' regarding adjustments to student canteen hours and extending the lunch break
• Expansion of the library collection: Continuous updating and expansion of the University Library’s collection through the acquisition of new materials

During the reporting period, the following notable events and projects took place in the context of quality assurance and development in academic studies and teaching (this list is not exhaustive):

• Teaching Day on May 10, 2023, on the topic “Campus 4 You—Shaping Innovative Teaching and Learning Spaces Together”
• Teaching Day on May 11, 2022, on the topic “Studium Fundamentale and 21st-Century Skills”
• Drafting and adoption of the Study Commission Regulations (Senate resolution)
• Review and revision of the HSZG Teaching Award Regulations
• Review and revision of the HSZG’s evaluation regulations
• Participation in the 4th Saxon Student Survey
• Participation in the 4th Saxon Graduate Study
• Conducting a survey of HSZG staff and students regarding COVID-19 vaccination
• Development and inaugural implementation of a preparatory course as part of the “State Recognition of Degrees Earned Abroad” program in the Faculty of Social Sciences
• Digital Fellowship Project: LernSMART—e-assessments to promote self-directed learning processes in engineering with a focus on the structured analysis and solution of more complex tasks; A collaborative project between the Technical Thermodynamics Department (Prof. Dr.-Ing. J. Meinert) in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at our university and the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Chair of Thermodynamics (Dr.-Ing. R. Wulf). The project was funded by the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture, and Tourism.
• SoTL Project “Hybrid Invigilated (Written) Examination”: In selected modules of Technical Thermodynamics, an approach to conducting so-called “hybrid invigilated (written) examinations” was tested and examined as part of an internal SoTL (“Scholarship of Teaching and Learning”) project (Dr.-Ing. S. Herrmann). The project was supported by the initiative “Implementing Digitalization in Disciplines in a Participatory Manner: Competencies Connected” (D2C2) of the “Innovation in Higher Education Teaching” Foundation.