Professional, personable and approachable!

The kitchen at Celsiuz looks like an organic grocery store. Next to a salad bowl that’s been half-eaten, there are plates and bowls filled with halved heads of lettuce and scraps of cucumbers, bell peppers, and other ingredients—delicious leftovers from the lunchtime segment of the Virtual College Information Day (HIT). The Rector himself appeared on camera to host the lunchtime segment with presenter Victoria Hohlfeld, combining a conversation with a live “cooking demonstration.” In a relaxed atmosphere, he provided an insightful overview of what makes Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences unique. The most important thing that stuck with the audience? We’re approachable. And that’s what makes us so special!

On January 13, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences broke new ground in organizing its University Information Day. For the first time, an interactive online platform was used, allowing prospective students to take center stage from start to finish, receive first-hand information, and help shape the event.

“An outstanding result,” says Rector Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch, who—after the work was done—that is, the production of the HIT Live program at the Celsiuz premises—joins the organizational team from the Public Relations Division of the Office of University development and communication in drawing a positive conclusion.

A Wide Range of Information

In seven virtual rooms, prospective students were able to freely choose from a wide variety of topics and put together their own personalized program. Through program presentations, student sessions, alumni talks, and trial lectures, they gained insights not only into the university’s extensive range of programs but, above all, into the everyday lives of our students. Active participation in discussions was possible at any time thanks to the innovative platform. Specially set-up information booths provided personalized advising throughout the day, and those seeking information on general topics related to college life could benefit from workshops on academic orientation and STEM fields, as well as a presentation by the Federal Employment Agency.

The Supporting Program

The live supporting program in the platform’s “lobby” provided the HIT with an “umbrella” under which the extensive range of advisory services in the separate rooms and information booths could take place. Introductory presentations by Victoria Hohlfeld, segments such as those produced by students from the Tourism Management degree programme at the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies “Quiz Show: Beat the Prof,” and intermission discussions with guests from the HSZG gave the HIT a professional and engaging overall presentation. This included, above all, the lunchtime program with the Rector, thanks to whom we now know who can peel the longest continuous strip of apple peel.

A Green Promise

“We’re very pleased that the event was so well-received by prospective students,” said Victoria Hohlfeld. Another reason to celebrate: At the same time, the HSZG scored points on sustainability with the HIT’s design, as a CO2 calculator integrated into the platform determined that a total of 60,000 kilometers of travel were saved. “We can top that, ” said the Rector, “because for every new student enrolled this fall, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences will plant a tree.”

A Lot Learned

What lessons will the organizing team take away for future events? “In the future, we’ll continue to identify in advance what really interests our target groups and then offer them a program tailored to their needs, ” explains the Rector.

The evaluation by the Office of University development and communication also showed that advance registration was not a barrier for young prospective students and that many participants tuned in from the Dresden area. A particularly common piece of feedback was that it was the conversations with the students that generated such a positive response.

“Students remain our best advocates,” confirms the Rector. “But our students aren’t the only ones involved in an event like this. A big thank you therefore goes to all the speakers, faculty members, information booth staff, the students who promoted the event so creatively and in so many ways beforehand, and those in the back office who ensured that this platform could run in this format at all—in other words, to all those involved who contributed to this university information day.”

Text: Cornelia Rothe M.A.