News
Shaping academic success together
The staff members of the "studienerfolg@saxHAW" educational project are developing new exchange formats for students.
To further improve student success at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the four new staff members—Luisa Rönisch, Fritzi Hähnchen, Miriam Meyer, and Aline Schulz—are involved in the educational project “studienerfolg@saxHAW”. This is a joint project of the five Saxon universities of applied sciences (HAW)—Dresden, Leipzig, Mittweida, Zittau/Görlitz, and Zwickau. The project is led at HSZG by the Vice President for Education and International Affairs, Professor Keil. For example, the project plans to develop a Foundation course. In addition, the EU’s Green Deal goals are to be integrated even more closely into the existing “Studium fundamentale” and the program is to be modernized. (Further information on the EU’s Green Deal is available here.) Students will be supported—particularly during the early stages of their studies—through targeted team-building and networking opportunities, as well as digital media.
Students-as-Partners
The “Students-as-Partners” approach is consistently implemented in the project. Students are not merely viewed as passive learners but as active partners in shaping the educational process and its content. To involve students early on and identify their needs and wishes, the project team organized two new exchange formats in December. They also supported an initiative by the Zukunftslernort Oberlausitz (ZukLOS) team, which is advancing the establishment of a makerspace on the Zittau campus.
The success of our students is at the heart of my work. Through the “Students-as-Partners” approach, we create a platform for exchange within the project where students and faculty can shape education together. Participation and empowerment play a central role in this process: We encourage students to actively contribute their ideas, opinions, and expertise to strengthen their role as architects of their own educational journey. Only through this close collaboration on an equal footing can we develop innovative and tailored solutions that promote academic success and strengthen the community at our university.
”“As a social scientist and graduate of HSZG, low-barrier and inclusive access to educational opportunities is particularly important to me. With the Foundation course, which is being redesigned for HSZG, there will be new opportunities in the future to learn how to study, which will not only make it easier for first-year students to get started but also help them navigate their academic fields. Promoting independence and self-confidence, as well as fostering interdisciplinary skills, are therefore my primary focus.”
M.A. Fritzi Luisa Hähnchen | Foundation course
“In my dual role as a project staff member in the collaborative project and as a master’s student, a student-centered approach is particularly close to my heart. The Studium Fundamentale at HSZG offers us a wonderful opportunity to highlight topics that are more relevant to the future today than ever before. The goals of the Green Deal can be brought to life through innovative concepts developed together with the students.”
B.Sc. Miriam Meyer | “Studium Fundamentale”
“As a graduate engineer, I am involved in the collaborative project to reduce the dropout rate in STEM degree programmes. By improving the Studium Fundamentale, I aim to optimize study conditions and impart key competencies that facilitate academic success and a smooth transition into the workforce. My focus is on interdisciplinary education and targeted support for women in STEM fields.”
Luisa Rönisch | Studium Fundamentale
“As a social worker and media educator, I look forward to contributing creative ideas to the project. It’s important to me to develop initiatives that strengthen digital literacy, regional ties, and social integration while also preparing students well for their degree programmes. In doing so, I primarily promote teamwork, communication, and future-oriented skills. As someone who comes from this region myself, it’s especially important to me to show people how wonderful it is to live here.”
B.A. Aline Schulz | Team Building & Digital Media
A Campus Café to Kick Off the Academic Year
On December 2, 2024, the first event of the“studienerfolg@saxHAW” educational project took place on the Görlitz campus—the Campus Café. At a total of four discussion tables, students from all semesters and faculties were able to engage in conversation. They exchanged experiences related to starting their studies here at the HSZG. In a relaxed atmosphere, students were able to share their requests directly with the Vice President, the Rector, and the project team. It became clear that students in higher semesters, in particular, serve as an important source of knowledge for helping new students get started. Especially during the first semesters, closer collaboration with the Faculty Student Committees and the Student Council should be pursued. In addition, requests were made for programs on “How to Study” as well as for informative orientation events that extend beyond the first semester.
On December 12, 2024, students had the opportunity to get a taste of the makerspace atmosphere at Campus Zittau in Building Z IVc. With the idea of a pop-up makerspaces , laser cutters and 3D printers had already been tested. While the Christmas ornaments were printing, students were able to start collecting and visualizing their ideas for the space. A follow-up workshop with the ZUKLOS team took place on January 15, 2025.
Both events were really well organized. You could voice your wishes, concerns and problems and I felt like I was really listened to. I would like to see more events like this in the future, where the students' voices play a major role.
”Module Development and Engagement Formats
On December 16, 2024, the “Pasta & Project Ideas” event took place. Over a delicious bowl of homemade pasta, students had the opportunity to chat with the Vice President for Education and International Affairs, Professor Sophia Keil. They discussed ideas and suggestions for future event formats both within and outside their studies . In addition, the project team presented the first draft of a module on sustainable urban development and infrastructure. This module is scheduled to be offered for the first time in the winter semester of 2025–26. In cooperation with regional partners as well as researchers and faculty members at HSZG, an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary module is being developed that will uniquely educate students on the challenges of climate change in Upper Lusatia and the surrounding regions. Through field trips and project work on specific topics related to the Green Deal, the module will foster skills that will enable students to become key advocates for our society. Additional opportunities for participation will be offered as the module is developed.
I really liked the cozy atmosphere at the events, especially the dinner together, where it was very good to exchange new ideas.
”The “studienerfolg@saxHAW” project team will use the feedback it has collected to design tailored measures—both to further develop existing programs and to address gaps that have become apparent as a result of the challenges identified.
1st floor