"The whole world is a school"
A total of 39 graduates of the HSZG preparatory program are celebrating the receipt of their diplomas. This qualifies them to study at a German university.
Under the motto, “The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to do your best today,” Ellen Leuschner, the director of the Studienkolleg, warmly invited the graduates of the preparatory college at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in the summer semester of 2025.
Once again this year, the Bürgersaal in Zittau City Hall provided a fitting setting for the event, where numerous invited guests had gathered to witness this significant moment in the lives of our international students.
Ute Wunderlich delivered the opening remarks. The second deputy to the mayor of Zittau and city council member emphasized that every year, the students of the Studienkolleg bring together many cultures as well as political and religious perspectives in Zittau, and that everyone can benefit from this diversity. In her speech, she assured the graduates that they were warmly welcome and highlighted the importance of the Studienkolleg and the university for the city, the region, and the state.
The Vice President for Education and Sustainability, Prof. Dr. phil. Małgorzata Maćkowiak, then shared her deep conviction that education knows no boundaries with the audience, citing the African proverb, “The whole world is a school.” She congratulated the graduates on their degree and noted that it is the perspectives and questions they bring with them that pose challenges, but also their answers that make a concrete contribution to the country’s future. Now, at the end of the academic year, the time had come to celebrate together.
We live in a time when ideas should know no boundaries, and the Studienkollegiatinnen and -kollegiaten show us what can happen when we approach each other openly.
”“You have demonstrated what international education can achieve and have pursued your goal—preparing to study at a German university—with impressive dedication,” Ms. Leuschner added, following the Vice President’s speech. She thanked all her colleagues at the Studienkolleg for their dedication to teaching before moving on to the ceremonial presentation of diplomas.
A Great Success
A total of 27 graduates (15 female students and 12 male students) from 12 different countries—including the Syrian Arab Republic, Vietnam, and Indonesia—received an FSP certificate. Fourteen students received a certificate confirming they had successfully completed the FSP in accordance with the requirements of the Technology track (TI course), followed by 13 graduates who were delighted to receive their FSP certificates in accordance with the requirements of the Economics specialization course (WW course). In addition, a total of 12 students (4 female and 8 male) received a DSH certificate upon completion of the program.
Honoring the Best
Vitalij Schmidt, a teacher of economics, business administration, and mathematics at the Studienkolleg, thanked his class for the trust they had placed in him and pointed out that knowledge isn’t everything. He expressed his hope that experience, appreciation, and respect would always be with his students.
Special recognition was given to Olha Karpenko from Ukraine, Kim Nhat Minh Ngo from Vietnam, Chi Dat Nguyen from Vietnam, and Natalia Kudasheva from the Russian Federation, who graduated at the top of their respective classes. Following the certificate ceremony, Olha from Ukraine impressed the audience with her singing.
Many Provisional Admissions to Study at HSZG
Enriched by musical performances on the piano by the Leipert family, the event concluded with a ceremonial address by Ellen Leuschner, who expressed the hope that, in addition to their home countries, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences would now also be firmly rooted in the hearts of the graduates.
The signs are good: Of the TI course graduates, 7 have received conditional admission to HSZG; 12 of the WW course graduates, and 7 of the DSH course participants intend to study at HSZG. HSZG wishes them every success.
The ceremony concluded with a warm invitation from Mario Linack, chairman of the HSZG Friends Association, to strengthen friendships once more during a cozy get-together afterward and to enjoy some good time together before this new chapter in their lives begins.
At the Studienkolleg, international students with varying levels of prior academic preparation are prepared to pursue a degree at the HSZG or one of the partner universities in Saxony.
Text and photos: Cornelia Rothe
2nd upper floor