"Teaching alone is not the recipe for success!"

Teaching alone is not the recipe for success! At the official ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the HSZG last Friday, June 23, the keynote speakers agreed that it is above all the practical focus and intensive research activities that define the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, which is why it will also successfully master future challenges.

In his opening remarks at the Peter-Dierich-Building in Zittau, Rector Prof. Friedrich Albrecht first welcomed the guests—some of whom had traveled from far away—to the official ceremony. He then quoted Wilhelm von Humboldt, reflecting on the past quarter-century of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied SciencesGörlitz, noting that it is the state’s duty to help people gain an education. The university upholds this motto not only locally but also through its more than 100 partnerships around the world. Referring to the Senate and University Council meeting that preceded the ceremony, the Rector expressed his gratitude for the fruitful internal and external collaboration and looked forward to its continuation

Following this, Hermann Jaekel from the Saxon State Ministry of Science and the Arts not only conveyed warm greetings from State Minister Eva-Maria Stange; the department head also reminisced about personal memories dating back to the university’s founding. Twenty-five years ago, he made his first trips to Zittau and Görlitz, where, contrary to expectations, he encountered thriving landscapes. What was rooted in topographical conditions was now to be translated into future endeavors in the region. “These outstanding landscapes should serve as an incentive to adapt to the region’s natural character and to orient human creativity accordingly,” Jaekel emphasized with regard to the future development of the academic campus in Upper Lusatia.

Twenty-five years later, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences has become the “driving force of the region” —an institution that recognizes the signs of innovation and successfully implements them, for example, through collaborations with Fraunhofer, the construction of the power plant laboratory on the grounds of Zittau’s municipal utilities, and the acquisition of significant third-party funding for research projects such as LaNDER³. With regard to industry, he urged companies to make even greater use of this experienced partner in the future.

The Chair of the University Council, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sylvia Rohr, emphasized in her speech that the university has always presented itself as an innovative and collaborative partner that operates through networks extending beyond the region and internationally, and that meets the region’s need for good-quality workers through its highly educated graduates. The goal now is to continuously improve in light of growing digitalization and the resulting demands of global competition. “The more digital skills future graduates possess and the better prepared they are for the rapid changes in professional qualifications, the better equipped they will be for this transformation,” the Chair of the University Council is convinced, and she sees the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences as having the potential to continue achieving extraordinary results in the future.

Martina Weber then emphasized the university’s close ties to the Görlitz district in her commemorative address. The second deputy to the district administrator of the Görlitz district also referred to the new cooperation agreement, which promises even more intensive and vibrant collaboration. “The seamless exchange between theory and practice is very valuable to us,” said the department head. This is because it is not only the university’s many students who complete internships in the Görlitz district who benefit from intensive practical experience. Above all, it is their scholarly analysis of important issues that supports the district in coping with structural change. It is now important that graduates remain in Upper Lusatia after obtaining their degrees. The university’s Start-up Academy plays a significant role in this.

The subsequent keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Böhmer, former Minister-President of the State of Saxony-Anhalt. With regard to the university, he emphasized the growing importance of strengthening its role as a service provider for the regional economy in order to succeed in a globalized competitive environment. According to Böhmer, development can be driven forward above all through a continuous focus on practical application. At the end of his speech, he emphasized: “Upper Lusatia is the region in Germany that I have known the longest. I remember it as the easternmost corner of the ‘Valley of the Clueless’ in eastern Saxony, where people led a quiet life. Today, life here is vibrant, not least due to scattered, smaller industrial parks with great development potential.” The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences plays a key role in this regard, thanks to its capacity for innovation and a strong focus on practical application in its teaching.

The mayors of the major county seats of Zittau and Görlitz agreed on the great importance of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences for their respective cities. In his speech, Mayor Thomas Zenker emphasized the university’s important role in the transformation processes that the city of Zittau is undergoing. Whether as a partner in joint events, as a driving force behind the IHI, or as a magnet for the young people so vital to Zittau, the university has made a significant impact on the city. Mayor Siegfried Deinege of Görlitz confirmed this impression, highlighting in particular the creativity of Görlitz students in their study-project-based collaboration with the city of Görlitz. From theory to practice: many a theoretical concept has been adopted by the city of Görlitz and put into practice following intensive student work. Deinege is convinced: “Teaching alone is not the recipe for success!” and hopes to continue finding the right paths together to shape the future.

“The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is a stroke of luck for Upper Lusatia!” Prof. Reinhardt Hassa is firmly convinced of this . As chairman of the Friends of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences Association, he expressed his delight that the association will continue to support the university on its journey.

The closing remarks were delivered by the Chancellor of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. In very personal terms, Dipl.-Jur. Karin Hollstein described her own professional development at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. She said it filled her with pride that, when following media reports, she could speak with joy about “her” university. For her, even after so many years, it remains important to be able to successfully implement joint projects day in and day out with a good team of colleagues. With that in mind, she looks forward to the future.

The Saxophone Quartet provided the musical accompaniment for the ceremony, entertaining the audience with jazz pieces ranging from George Gershwin to Irving Berlin.

At the summer festival that followed—held under the theme “HSZG in the World” on the plaza in front of the Peter-Dierich-Building—Rector Prof. Friedrich Albrecht, together with Ms. Menzel from the Staff Council and Ms. Lehman from the Student Council, welcomed all staff members in attendance, students, as well as their families, friends, and supporters of the university.

Czech brass music marked the start of the “world tour” and set the mood for a diverse and varied program, before the young Polish dancer Ariana Grzechnik from the “Ametyst” dance school in Luban took the stage by storm with her dance performance. Semjon Butyrin from Russia then presented accordion music from Hungary. The Asian continent was represented by the young Iranian Masoud Talebi Charmchi, who performed popular music from his country on his guitar. Afterward, Berenice brought good cheer and a pure summer vibe to the stage with her renditions of well-known salsa and merengue songs, enchanting the audience with her voice and the sizzling rhythms of Latin America.

The journey continued across the Atlantic to Africa—more specifically, to Cameroon—with a jerk dance performance by Wilde Dilane Tougnia Tchomgui and Fardin Ramezani Hashjin. Since there’s no place like home, the journey around the world finally made a stop in Upper Lusatia, where KURTL concluded this little musical world tour with his own Upper Lusatian songs and his covers of global hits.

During the breaks, DJ Riccardo played world music and shared a few short stories about our university’s international relationships and projects. The program was hosted by Rector Prof. Friedrich Albrecht. Numerous staff members, students, friends, and supporters of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences enjoyed the atmosphere amid summery weather, cool drinks, and hearty barbecue fare. Many took the opportunity to give their families a glimpse into life on the Zittau campus. The young guests took over the bouncy castle, transformed themselves into pirates, vampires, or princesses with face painting, and—not always intentionally—sent the occasional university balloon soaring into the sky. There was plenty of ammunition to go around.

The University Executive Board would like to thank everyone who helped plan and carry out the festival, especially Hella Trillenberg, the Public Relations Office, and the university’s graphic design department. A big thank you also goes to the staff of the Technical Administration & Facility Services division for their on-site support, as well as to the Friends of Zittau/Görlitz University Association and other supporters.

Text: Cornelia Rothe, M.A.