Perspectives for the teaching of tomorrow
The motto of Teaching Day 2025 was "Teaching the future. Creating opportunities".
On May 14, 2025, everything at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences revolved around future-oriented teaching: Under the motto “Teaching for the Future. Creating Opportunities. – Higher Education Teaching Between Educational Equity and the Skilled Labor Shortage,” , this year’s Teaching Day took place on the Zittau campus. Over sixty interested university members gathered to address current issues regarding the further development of university teaching.
The event was opened by Professor Małgorzata Maćkowiak, who presided over Teaching Day for the first time in her new role as Vice President for Education and Sustainability. In her welcoming remarks, she spoke with palpable joy about the personal significance of this moment and the opportunity to actively help shape this special day.
Together with Professor Jens Meinert, Dean of the host Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, she kicked off a diverse program featuring three inspiring keynote speeches, an engaging panel discussion, and a festive degree ceremony with the presentation of certificates of participation to the graduates of the introductory course in university pedagogy.
Speaker: Prof. Dr. phil. Martin Goldfriedrich, Faculty of Social Sciences
In his presentation, Professor Martin Goldfriedrich explained how higher education teaching can be made more equitable and effective through an approach to teaching and learning centered on inclusion. Among other things, he introduced the “Inclusive Pedagogy Network” as an innovative planning tool and presented the results of a nationwide study on embedding inclusive pedagogical competencies in teacher education.
“Inclusive higher education pedagogy means designing instruction in such a way that it opens up learning opportunities for all students—regardless of their life experiences.”
Go to the profile page of Prof. Dr. phil. Martin Goldfriedrich
Speakers: Julia Jurczyk (culture and management, 4th semester) and Adrian Derr (electrical power systems in the KIA Model, 6th semester), HSZG Student Council
The Student Council representatives powerfully emphasized how important individual support, accessibility, and diversity are in everyday student life. Their message was a strong plea for a university that not only teaches about the future but also lives it.
“We want a daily college experience that is inclusive and in which all students feel supported, well-guided, and prepared.” Adrian Derr
“To ensure that higher education remains accessible to everyone in the future, we need a university that continues to champion accessibility and equal opportunity with passion and foresight—not as a final goal, but as a shared journey.” Julia Jurczyk
Clickhere for the presentation.
Speaker: Prof. Dr. rer. pol. habil. Knut Petzold, Faculty of Social Sciences
Professor Knut Petzold pointed out that while international students largely wish to remain in Germany and represent economic value, they are often overlooked in the labor market. Universities can play a key role here by serving as a bridge between skilled workers and employers.
“Universities must take on a more active role as intermediaries to tap into the potential of international students for the German labor market—through industry contacts, certificates, and visibility.”
Clickhere for the presentation.
More information about Prof. Dr. rer. pol. habil. Knut Petzold.
Voices on the Panel
In the subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Emil Ehrentraut, a student in the bachelor’s program in Culture and Management, Professor Martin Goldfriedrich, Professor Knut Petzold, and Professor Jana Stolz-Römmermann (Chair of Tourism Management in the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies), Aline Schulz from the educational project studienerfolg@saxHAW, and Julia Jurczyk and Adrian Derr from the Student Council discussed the interplay between teaching, student engagement, and ensuring a skilled workforce. The discussion demonstrated once again how important it is to strategically advance higher education teaching that views the diversity of its students as a resource.
Recognition for Good Teaching
Another highlight was the presentation of certificates of participation for the introductory course in higher education pedagogy by Vice President Maćkowiak. The introductory course serves as the foundational module for the Saxon Certificate in Higher Education Pedagogy. In a compact 60-unit course, participants received a thorough introduction to key topics in good teaching—from student-centered approaches and instructional planning to reflection on one’s own teaching practices.
I am delighted that so many dedicated faculty members at our university have successfully completed the introductory course in university teaching pedagogy. This willingness to reflect and continue developing is crucial for university teaching that truly engages students. The course not only provides methodological tools but also raises awareness of how teaching can be structured in a responsible and effective manner.
”Teaching Day 2025 made it abundantly clear: educational equity and ensuring a supply of skilled workers are mutually dependent. Only an equitable and inclusive higher education system can help all students reach their full potential and thus contribute to securing a long-term supply of qualified professionals.
We, as a university community, strive—to the best of our ability—to shape our future and the future of our region. We engage in dialogue, discuss issues, grapple with a wide range of problems, and seek solutions. Our young people are engaged and curious, and as a university, we support their activities through our policy of equal opportunity. In addition, we foster close ties between them and us—and the Dreiländereck region—through individualized support and numerous connections with various regional institutions and businesses.
”We are already looking forward to the Teaching Day 2026, which will take place at the Görlitz campus as scheduled. In the coming year, we would once again like to discuss key future issues of university teaching with lecturers, students and guests - with new impulses, exciting perspectives and the proven space for exchange and networking.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Professor Martin Goldfriedrich, Professor Knut Petzold, and Professor Jana Stolz-Römmermann, as well as to Julia Jurczyk, Adrian Derr, and Aline Schulz—for their tremendous dedication, their meticulous professional preparation, and the valuable insights with which they enriched the event.
Vice President Maćkowiak extends her special thanks to the dedicated organizing team—Daniel Winkler and Julia Rülicke—as well as to Sven Müller for his excellent photographic coverage.
Finally, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants of Teaching Day 2025. Your interest, your contributions, and your openness shaped the day—we are already looking forward to continuing our dialogue with you!
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