The HSZG at heart
At the disenrolment ceremony held on October 7 at the Görlitz Campus, four graduating classes were honored.
It’s done! Four graduating classes were honored at once—some after a long wait due to the pandemic—at the disenrolment ceremony on October 7 in Görlitz.
Rector Alexander Kratzsch had invited guests to the same festival tent on the Görlitz campus that had been used just a week earlier for the enrolment ceremony. Now, with a total of around 1,200 guests, the tent was bursting at the seams—twice over.
To accommodate everyone, the ceremony was held in two sessions: first, the classes of 2019 through 2021 were honored, followed by the class of 2022/23, out of the approximately 500 graduates who had traveled to the event. Both ceremonies provided a fitting setting for the graduates to solemnly bring this important chapter of their studies to a close together with their loved ones.
Charmingly hosted by Franziska Stölzel (a graduate and social scientist specializing in change and transformation processes), the musical accompaniment for the program was provided by the duo Hübner-Schönfelder on cello and electric piano, as well as student Lea Heymann with her enchanting vocals.
In the first session, Rector Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch offered heartfelt words in his graduation speech to the graduates, who had to adapt to changed academic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and blaze new trails together with the university faculty. He was particularly pleased that so many had accepted the invitation to Görlitz to be officially sent off into their professional lives by their university one last time.
He emphasized that the “University for Future” process, which began as early as 2020, is shaping the university’s future just as the graduates are currently shaping their own professional futures. Reuniting and learning from one another is always worthwhile for optimal mutual progress. If only for the tree planted each year in the Zittau Student Park in honor of each graduating class.
“Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is particularly proud of its graduates. They are the ones who have come to appreciate the advantages of a small university and have benefited from its close-knit academic atmosphere. They carry HSZG in their hearts and share it with the world.”
”Prof. Dr. Günther Hasinger, Director of the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA), earned some applause in his speech when he talked about his impressive CV. Among other things, this led him to the cover of the youth magazine BRAVO as a member of the 1970s band Saffran, as Director at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, as Research Director at the European Space Agency (ESA) and now finally as Founding Director at the German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA) in Görlitz.
Whether varifocal glasses, ceramic hobs or components of cell phones and navigation devices, Prof. Hasinger used vivid examples to illustrate the great innovative power of the high-tech science of astrophysics. With great enthusiasm, he pointed out the potential for the region and demonstrated to the graduates that the path to the stars can take many a side path.
Then the moment had arrived. The graduates were ceremoniously called to the stage by the rector and the respective faculty representatives, grouped by faculty and graduating class, and officially bid farewell. With their graduation caps on their heads and their farewell gifts in hand, many unforgettable group photos were taken.
The subsequent presentation of the 2022 and 2023 awards from the Friends of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences honored the graduates who distinguished themselves through outstanding academic achievements during their studies and in their theses. The 2023 award recipient, Alexandra Lucia Klein, delivered the graduate speech during the second segment, before host Franziska Stölzel concluded by inviting everyone to enjoy the accompanying program on the Görlitz campus and, in the evening, the graduation party at Club L2 in Görlitz.
Starting at 10:00 a.m., the university had invited guests to a communal campus breakfast , which was warmly received. In the Görlitz student canteen, the graduates had the opportunity to chat with their former professors and faculty members at special faculty networking tables and learn about master’s programs and career opportunities at HSZG or about the networking activities of the association HiLusatia! . At the KIA booth , a small farewell gift awaited the graduates of the dual study program, and the Saxony Film Academy was on site and presented its wide range of courses.
At the Campus Shop booth , attendees could pick up one last memento of the university before heading to the graduation party. The doors to the L2 Club in Görlitz opened at 6:00 p.m. With champagne, juice, and a fantastic atmosphere, the graduates and guests celebrated to DJ sets and live music by the Balkaneros until late into the night.
Photos: Marcel Schröder
Text: Cornelia Rothe
1st floor