Great to have you here!
For the ceremonial enrolment on September 29, the HSZG welcomed approximately 800 guests to a large festival tent on the Zittauer Markt.
On September 29, 2022, 800 guests celebrated the start of a new chapter in the lives of our approximately 550 first-year students at the enrolment ceremony. In addition to the newly enrolled students and their families, numerous guests of honor from other institutions accepted the rector’s invitation.
As always, the HSZG hosting duo—Carolin Renner (a student of management of social change) and Cornelius Baier (a graduate of culture and management)—provided entertaining commentary throughout the ceremony. The event featured musical performances by computer science student Jonathan Zopf on the piano, Cti Hang on the hang drum, and singer Adriana Bessogonov.
After the Senate entered the hall, Görlitz Mayor Octavian Ursu and Zittau Mayor Thomas Zenker jointly addressed the new students with words of welcome. Both convincingly emphasized what wonderful places Görlitz and Zittau are for studying—both from an academic and a social perspective. Dr. Claudia Maicher, Chair of the Committee on Science, University, Media, Culture, and Tourism of the Saxon State Parliament, then warmly welcomed the new students. She noted that the HSZG, as a beacon of the region, is exactly the right place for inquiry, self-discovery, and self-reflection, and offers good conditions for discussing and answering the most pressing questions of our time.
In his subsequent matriculation address, Rector Prof. Alexander Kratzsch thanked the city of Zittau for allowing the matriculation ceremony to serve as the inauguration of the large festival tent for the 23rd Saxon State Harvest Festival. Zittau hosted the festival on the first weekend of October; the event takes place in a different Saxon town each year. The large festival tent was erected on the market square specifically for this occasion—and set up a day early just for us. This is what made this year’s location so special.
And there’s yet another unique feature marking the start of this year’s academic term. “Change is needed in many areas—this has now become a social consensus,” the rector explains, continuing:
Change always consists of practical action. We want to live up to this maxim together with you and have already prepared something for you. On November 23, a tree will be planted in Zittau Forest for each new student. This is our concrete contribution to greater sustainability. I would like to invite you to this tree planting today!"
”The symbolic enrollment ceremony that followed was led by the Vice President for Education and International Affairs, Prof. Sophia Keil, freshman representative Lilliana Passeck (on behalf of all first-year students...a big thank you for your courage), the faculty student scouts, and a representative from the preparatory college. In a wonderful gesture, the HSZG Student Council (StuRa) donated a can of Prosecco for each first-year student, so that afterward everyone could toast to their studies together.
An orientation celebration is also always a good occasion to recognize special achievements. As part of the ceremony, this year’s Germany Scholarships, the Friends of the University Award for outstanding achievements by international students, and the 2022 DAAD Award were presented. The awards were presented by Mario Linack, chairman of the Friends of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Each year, the Friends of the University donates both Germany Scholarships and awards for outstanding student achievements, thereby directly supporting HSZG students. Dr. Stefan Kühne, Head of the Division of Student Affairs and International Relations , received loud applause and approval for his speech at the awards ceremony, in which he impressively highlighted the importance of democracy for our society:
But there is no alternative to modern democracy, which fortunately we are all allowed to live in as we sit here, and we must protect and strengthen this good together."
”Ingo Putz, artistic director of the Gerhart-Hauptmann Theater in Görlitz-Zittau, addressed the audience with closing remarks. He passionately advocated for the importance of culture in a free society, for involvement in the student theater troupe, and, of course, for attending the theater often.
The ceremony was followed by the traditional freshman photo shoot —this time on the steps of the Johanniskirche in Zittau. And after that, it was time to eat, drink, and celebrate in style. The DJ team Juja and Martinus, along with a spectacular live performance by the Czech electro-pop band Manu Destra, set the perfect party mood.
Since it was such a great time, we “captured” the day with a video (creoflux Filmproduktion) and a photo gallery. Have fun reminiscing! :-)
The event was supported by the City of Zittau, the HSZG Student Council, and the HSZG Friends Association. Many staff members from all of the university’s departments, as well as external contractors, helped with the planning and execution. A big “thank you” goes out to all of them!
1st floor