Since 2020, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences has been shaping a comprehensive change process to ensure the long-term sustainability, quality and attractiveness of our study and research location. The resolutions passed by the Senate in October 2025 set the course for the future: We are modernizing our structures, sharpening our profiles and laying the foundations for more internationality, digitalization and growth.
We are shaping this change together, transparently, in a dialog-oriented manner and in awareness of our responsibility for the region. Change requires trust - and trust requires dialog.
”The demands placed on a modern university are changing rapidly. Politics, business and society expect
The faculties
have formed the academic foundation of the university for many years.
In our current change process, we are now bundling this diversity into three strong, clearly profiled faculties:
This restructuring brings together what is already closely linked thematically, organizationally and strategically. The new faculty landscape facilitates interdisciplinary cooperation, creates noticeably fewer points of bureaucratic friction and at the same time opens up valuable freedom in which teaching, research and transfer can grow and have an even more targeted effect.
The model comprises:
The new study model opens up significantly more opportunities for our students: It ensures noticeably shorter study times, while offering them greater flexibility in shaping their educational path and strengthening the international comparability of their degrees. At the same time, it improves the attractiveness of dual study programs by creating better transitions, clearer structures and more modern framework conditions.
The Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) degree will be retained in the KIA (sandwich-style) degree course - an important unique selling point of the HSZG.
The university is consistently realigning its range of courses in order to provide students with a modern, future-oriented learning experience. The formation of clear clusters and a joint foundation course in the respective specializations creates a structure that strengthens exchange and promotes interdisciplinary learning experiences. At the same time, interdisciplinarity is being expanded in a targeted manner so that students benefit even more from subject-specific connections and new perspectives.
In addition, each faculty is developing at least one international Bachelor's and Master's degree program in English, which will increase our international visibility and facilitate access for students from all over the world. This is complemented by the expansion of hybrid and part-time study formats, which enable the HSZG to meet the diverse life realities of modern learners. The strategic focus on study programs that are in particularly high demand and the use of measurable criteria in student recruitment ensure that the university can grow in an even more targeted manner and make a sustainable name for itself.
In the winter semester 2026/27, the HSZG will introduce the new Management orientation course, which will provide prospective students with a secure and flexible introduction to business-related fields of study. In two semesters, basic management and business content can be tested and credited examination results can later be seamlessly transferred to a suitable Bachelor's degree course.
In order to effectively strengthen research as a central pillar of university development, the HSCG is introducing an independent research budget. This creates transparency regarding funds, enables strategic investments and supports researchers in developing new projects in a targeted manner. Uniform institute regulations ensure that all institutes work under clear framework conditions and are better integrated into academic decision-making processes.
In future, all third-party funds raised will flow back into research activities and thus contribute directly to the scientific development of the university. At the same time, the HSCG is further expanding its EU-funded large-scale research infrastructure, creating modern spaces for excellent research. The complementary Young Scientist Program provides targeted support for young talent - and strengthens the university's visibility and competitiveness in the national and international research environment.
The HSZG's change process thrives on transparency, exchange and active participation. The perspectives of many stakeholders are incorporated right from the start: University members, committees, staff council, StuRa and other groups are involved in workshops, discussion rounds and open formats. Regular information events such as the Professorium and staff meetings accompany the process and create space for questions, feedback and joint orientation.
A central intranet platform with regular updates is also being created to involve all members of the university even better and keep them continuously informed about developments. This will ensure that the transformation remains comprehensible, tangible and open to contributions from the entire university community.
Above all, change at the HSZG means cohesion and new opportunities. It strengthens learning, collaboration and togetherness - and aligns our university so that it remains an inspiring place for people from all over the world in the future.
For students
Students can count on reliable framework conditions: No one will be disadvantaged by the changes. At the same time, new paths are opening up - through greater interdisciplinarity, modern forms of learning and a growing international range of courses that broaden the perspective and create new opportunities.
For employees
For employees, the change brings stability and appreciation: there are no job cuts, but there is a fairer distribution of administrative tasks and more room for professional and personal development. Digital processes make everyday life easier and create the freedom to focus on what really drives our university forward.
The internal area provides a transparent overview of all the people and teams who are actively shaping the change process. It lists the members of the steering committee and their respective functions, the key implementation milestones and the sub-project teams. This allows all members of the HSCG to see who is working on what - and to seek targeted exchange in order to clarify questions, contribute ideas or network directly with the people responsible.
This and other information on our University Development 2030+ is available in the internal area (VPN).