Welcome to your university!
For the enrolment ceremony on September 29, the HSZG welcomed approximately 800 guests to a large festival tent on the Görlitz campus.
It’s great to have you here! On September 29, the HSZG welcomed around 800 guests to celebrate the start of their college life together. In addition to the approximately 630 newly enrolled first-year students and their families, numerous distinguished guests from other institutions accepted the rector’s invitation and joined in the festive atmosphere.
For the first time, the ceremonial enrolment took place in a large festival tent on the Görlitz campus. Victoria Hohlfeld (Office of University development and communication) and Lennart Höhne (a recent graduate with a master’s degree in International Tourism Management) led the official ceremony. The ceremony was accompanied by music from computer science student Jonathan Zopf on the electric piano and Cti Hang on the hang drum.
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 highlighted the advantages that Görlitz and Zittau offer for studying and wished the newly enrolled students all the good luck for their future academic lives.
Rector Prof. Alexander Kratzsch then warmly welcomed the new students in his matriculation address. He emphasized that by choosing Upper Lusatia, they had opted for a region undergoing transformation—one in which they can help shape significant change alongside the university’s partners from business and society, thereby gaining valuable experience as the experts of tomorrow. The HSZG provides the necessary tools for this.
Rector Kratzsch was particularly pleased to introduce the new HSZG Campus App to everyone present, which, thanks to its many integrated features, will make student life easier for the newly enrolled students. In addition to technical innovations, he concluded with another surprise.
"Together with you, we want to drive change through practical action. That is why we are planning to plant a tree in Zittau Forest for every new student this year. In this way, we want to actively contribute to a more sustainable future. I cordially invite you to take part in this meaningful tree-planting campaign in person!"
”The subsequent symbolic enrollment ceremony was conducted by the deans of the university, as well as Dr. Lucie Koutková, representing the preparatory college. During a live talk, they introduced their faculties and the preparatory college to the audience, after which the rector concluded the official enrollment ceremony with the words: “I hereby enroll you at the HSZG!”
Following this, the Vice President for Education and International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Sophia Keil spoke about the HSZG’s commitment to its students as part of the university’s own “University For Future” and “Campus4You” initiatives, which—together with other development strategies—are raising the quality of education in Zittau and Görlitz to a new level.
Since commitment works best when it’s mutual, the Vice President then honored this year’s recipients of the Germany Scholarship at the HSZG, which is awarded annually for outstanding academic and personal achievements. Scholarship recipient Josefine Wiethe spoke about her very personal experiences at the University of Zittau/Görlitz and encouraged all newly enrolled students to forge their own path.
After the ceremony, the traditional freshman photo shoot took place in the courtyard between the student canteen and G II, and then it was time for: Party, party, party! With delicious, bubbly drinks and hearty food, the space in front of the festival tent was the perfect spot to celebrate the start of the academic year in good spirits amid good fall weather. DJs catkin83 and 4loud, along with a spectacular live performance by the Zittau band JENIX, set the perfect party mood.
Photos: Marcel Schröder
Text: Cornelia Rothe
The event was supported by the HSZG Student Council. 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” to everyone involved!
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