Scholarship from the August Wilhelm von Hofmann Foundation of the German Chemical Society goes to Zittau for the first time.
Katja Klötzer is the first student to win a scholarship from the August Wilhelm von Hofmann Foundation of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) in Zittau. These are awarded to around 20 students throughout Germany every year. She was able to assert herself among 120 applicants from the 60 local associations. The decisive factors for her successful application were her grades, a letter of recommendation and the required letter of motivation. She will now receive a scholarship for two semesters. This is a real stroke of luck for the 22-year-old, as it will ease her financial situation considerably.
Prof. Klaus Seibt from the Chemistry department of the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences had posted the corresponding award from the August Wilhelm von Hofmann Foundation in front of the faculty's laboratories at the time and Prof. Dieter Greif, the chairman of the local association for the Lusatia region, was on hand to encourage and support the applicants.
Katja Klötzer comes from near Rochlitz. She applied to the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in 2012 because she was offered the opportunity to study chemistry with integrated vocational training. She thought that training as a chemical laboratory technician could only be an advantage. And so she came to Zittau from a region with a strong chemical industry. She has never regretted this decision. With her training, she can support her fellow students, especially in the many internships, e.g. in setting up equipment and with background knowledge, because the experience she has gained in her practical training enables her to evaluate many things with greater foresight. She feels at home on her course and has an almost family-like relationship with the professors and staff. She also enjoys taking part in the chemistry students' show lecture, which takes place at the university every year before Christmas.
She is currently completing her practical semester at Deutsche Amphibolin-Werke SE (DAW SE) in Nerchau near Leipzig, a manufacturer of paints and varnishes, and can put the knowledge she acquired at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences to very good use.
To balance out her studies, she does sport and enjoys student life. She has chosen Thai bo aerobics and badminton from the wide range of sports on offer at the university. As well as exploring the city, the odd student party and social get-together are also very popular.
Precisely because she grew up in the village, the young woman feels very much at home in the small town of Zittau with its wonderful surroundings. "Zittau is a nice size for me and I think it's wonderful that everything is within walking distance," she says. Otherwise, she makes the most of the opportunities offered in Zittau and the surrounding area: She likes to go for walks in the beautiful season, for example to the nearby Olbersdorfer See lake or in Oybin, which she often combines with photographing the landscape and architecture. She also uses the facilities at TRIXI-Bad Großschönau and likes to visit one of the pretty cafés in Zittau town center. She thinks the music night and the Spectaculum - both fixed events in Zittau's cultural calendar - are just great.
After completing her Bachelor's degree, she would like to pursue a Master's degree in cooperation with her current employer.
