"The whole world is a school"

Under the motto: "The best preparation for tomorrow is to give your best today ", the director of the Studienkolleg Ellen Leuschner cordially invited the graduates of the Studienkolleg to the ceremonial presentation of their certificates on July 11. preparatory college of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in the summer semester 2025.

Once again this year, the Citizens' Hall in Zittau Town Hall provided a fitting setting for this important moment in the lives of our international students.

Ute Wunderlich gave the ceremonial opening words. The second deputy mayor of Zittau and city councillor emphasized that many cultures as well as political and religious attitudes come together in Zittau every year with the Studienkollegiatinnen and -kollegiaten, from whose diversity everyone can benefit. In her speech, she assured the graduates that they were very welcome and emphasized the importance of the Studienkolleg and the university for the city, the region and the country.

Afterwards, the Vice Rector for Education and Sustainability, Prof. Dr. phil. Małgorzata Maćkowiak, used the African proverb "The whole world is a school" to share with the audience her deep conviction that education knows no borders. She congratulated the graduates on their graduation and pointed out that it was the perspectives and questions they brought with them that were challenging, but also their answers, which made a concrete contribution to the future of the country. Now, at the end of the academic year, the time has come to celebrate together.

"You have shown what international education can achieve and have pursued your goal of preparing students to study at a German university with impressive commitment," Ms. Leuschner concluded the Vice Rector's speech. She thanked all colleagues at the Studienkolleg for their commitment to teaching before moving on to the ceremonial presentation of certificates.

A great success

A total of 27 graduates (15 female and 12 male students) from 12 different countries - including the Syrian Arab Republic, Vietnam and Indonesia - received an FSP certificate. 14 students were presented with their FSP certificate after completing the requirements of the Technology specialization course (TI course), followed by 13 graduates who were delighted to receive their FSP certificate after completing the requirements of the Business specialization course (WW course). In addition, a total of 12 Studienkollegiatinnen and -kollegiaten (4 students and 8 students) held a DSH certificate in their hands at the end.

Honoring the best

Witalij Schmidt, teacher of economics/business studies and mathematics at the Studienkolleg, thanked his class for the trust they had placed in him and pointed out that knowledge is not everything. He wished his students that experience, appreciation and respect would be their constant companions.

Olha Karpenko from Ukraine, Kim Nhat Minh Ngo from Vietnam, Chi Dat Nguyen from Vietnam and Natalia Kudasheva from the Russian Federation received special recognition for completing their respective courses at the top of their class. Following the presentation of certificates, Olha from Ukraine impressed the audience with her singing.

Many pre-admissions to study at the HSZG

Enriched by musical contributions on the piano from the Leipert family, the event ended with celebratory words from Ellen Leuschner, who expressed the hope that the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences would now be anchored in the hearts of the graduates alongside their own home country.

The signs for this are good: 7 of the TI course graduates have received pre-admission to the HSZG, 12 of the WW course graduates want to study at the HSZG and 7 of the DSH course participants want to study at the HSZG. The HSZG wishes them every success.

The ceremony concluded with a cordial invitation from Mario Linack, Chairman of the HSZG Sponsors' Association, to intensify friendships and have a good time together before the new phase of life begins.

Text and photos: Cornelia Rothe