Diamond reunion

To mark the 60th anniversary of their graduation, a group of alumni from Class ED126b of the former “Dr. Robert Mayer” School of Engineering in Zittau visited their alma mater, now known as Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. They completed their studies in the field of “Electrical Power Systems” between 1962 and 1965. Their time together left a lasting impression on the graduates and continues to bind them to this day.

The guests were welcomed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus-Dieter Haim, who gave them a tour of the campus and impressively demonstrated just how much the university and its infrastructure have evolved since the 1960s. The group was particularly impressed by the modern high voltage facility, which served as a special reminder of their own education while also exemplifying the technical progress the university has made over the past decades.

A special highlight of the visit was the ceremonial presentation of the Diamond Graduation Certificates by the university’s Rector, Prof. Alexander Kratzsch. With this presentation, the university honored not only the graduates’ life journeys and professional achievements but also their long-standing connection to their former educational institution.

In a moving retrospective, the group gave a vivid account of the general conditions and curriculum of their studies, which were highly structured and practice-oriented during the GDR era. In addition to their thorough education, the alumni also recalled formative experiences outside the classroom, such as working together on harvests, internships at power plants, living together at the boarding school, and social evenings in town. Many of them went on to work in energy utilities, power plant construction, or the higher education system, where they assumed positions of responsibility. At the end of their visit, the graduates presented their class flag—which had accompanied them for nearly 62 years as a symbol of the group’s unity and cohesion—to their alma mater for safekeeping. Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences now preserves it as a symbol of living history and enduring appreciation.

The fact that they still meet regularly and maintain an active network even after six decades speaks to the special sense of camaraderie within this graduating class. Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is proud to count such dedicated and close-knit alumni among its ranks and extends its heartfelt thanks for their visit.

The university wishes the members of class ED126b all the good luck for the future. We are hopeful that their connection to the city of Zittau and their former educational institution will remain strong in the years to come.