Saxony-wide networking for academic success
Joint meeting of the "studienerfolg@saxHAW" project at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
How can students be supported in a good way during the early stages of their studies, and how can we effectively reduce the dropout rate?
On January 23, 2026, representatives from the universities participating in the joint project “studienerfolg@saxHAW” met at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) to address this question. The focus was on cross-campus exchange, concrete next steps, and the question of which approaches can be permanently integrated into the universities’ structures and processes.
Exchange Within the Consortium: Insights, Lessons Learned, and Next Steps
Since the project began, the teams have been meeting regularly at a partner university to discuss the project’s progress, experiences, and best practices. By rotating among the locations, the different approaches of each university are presented “on-site,” providing new inspiration for their own work.
The consortium meeting at HSZG, held at the Celsiuz Co-Creation Lab, focused on jointly reviewing the project’s progress after nearly two years: What successes are evident, what has proven effective, where do the challenges lie, and which approaches could potentially be applied to other universities? Building on this, the group coordinated the next steps and outlined prospects for the network’s future work. Afterward, during a visit to the DLR_School_Lab at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, participants gained insights into one of the HSZG’s extracurricular learning venues, where science can be experienced in a hands-on way.
For me, Studienerfolg@saxHAW means more than just support during your studies: it opens your eyes to the future, encourages you, reveals hidden potential and helps to overcome fears - so that students can go their own way with confidence.
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The Project Results of studienerfolg@HSZG
At HSZG, the project focuses on three core areas throughout the student life cycle: foundation course, foundational studies, and team building and digital media.
Throughout the project, sustainable and effective measures were implemented to provide targeted support to students:
Management Foundation Course
Starting in the 2026/2027 winter semester, prospective students can enroll in the Management Foundation Course at the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies. For two semesters, students can get a taste of university life and take various self-selected modules with a focus on management degree programmes. This is accompanied by individual counseling and support, as well as strength-based coaching using the VIA Character Strengths framework, to help students better understand their own abilities and interests and facilitate the transition into a suitable degree program.
Studium Fundamentale – Thinking Outside the Box
Studium Fundamentale is integrated into all undergraduate (degree) courses at HSZG and offers students a wide variety of topics that impart forward-looking and multidisciplinary skills.
As part of the project, the Studium Fundamentale website was completely redesigned, and a simplified course management system was introduced, enabled by enrollment via a digital registration portal.
In addition, new offerings for the Studium Fundamentale were developed, including the “Ideas Workshop,” which will launch at both campuses in the summer semester of 2026.
Networking and Support Among Students
Peer interaction, as well as knowledge of and access to support services, are essential factors for maintaining the ability to cope during challenging phases of study.
To this end, various exchange formats were implemented as part of the project. In particular, the event series “Fail Forward – A Glass of Clarity with…” strengthens connections between students and faculty, breaks down barriers, and uses personal experiences to illustrate how to navigate obstacles, challenges, and successes.
For more insights into the project and the consortium meeting, watch the video:
Outlook
Thanks to the project extension through March 2027, the initiatives at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences can continue to be implemented and expanded in a targeted manner for the benefit of students. In addition to the introduction of the Foundation course in management (first enrolment in the 2026–2027 winter semester), the “Studium fundamentale” program will be further developed to meet students’ needs. The “Fail Forward – A Glass of Clarity with…” event series will also continue in the coming semesters to foster dialogue between students and faculty.
In April 2024, the innovative collaborative project “studienerfolg@saxHAW” was launched at the five Saxon universities of applied sciences:
Dresden University of Applied Sciences (HTWD)
West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau (WHZ)
Mittweida University of Applied Sciences
Leipzig University of Applied Sciences for Technology, Business, and Culture (HTWK)
This comprehensive educational project aims to optimally prepare students for their studies and their future careers. To this end, all participating universities set individual project goals tailored to the needs of their respective locations and student bodies. The main goal of the project at all locations is to increase academic success and minimize early dropout rates. To this end, the project team maintains close communication with students as well as with the faculties to identify needs early on and develop appropriate programs.
All members of the university community are cordially invited to approach the project team with concerns, ideas, and suggestions.
This initiative is made possible by ESF+ funding from the European Union and the Free State of Saxony.
Click here is a link to further information about the project.
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