"Between pleasure and frustration - studying during the pandemic" was the motto of the third CoronaDialog.
FINALLY summer, finally open beer gardens, low incidence rates and a European Championship soccer match between the German national team and France... ironically, we couldn't have chosen a better date for our last virtual Corona Dialogue event. Despite everything, around 40 participants - students, lecturers, interested parties - came together. We were able to win the following guests for our Corona Dialogue: Romy Reinicke (Psychosocial Counselling Center Studentenwerk Dresden), Franziska Schubert (MdL, parliamentary group leader of the Greens), Octavian Ursu (Lord Mayor of the City of Görlitz) and Prof. Dr. Alexander Kratzsch (Rector HSZG). Cornelius Baier, himself a student at our university, provided the excellent moderation - with plenty of wit and humor. After the keynote speech "Together through pandemic times" by Prof. Kratzsch, the first exchange took place in small groups in breakout rooms. Afterwards, the discussion continued in the main room with the most important questions from the breakout rooms.
With regard to digital learning, many changes, shifts and the need for self-organization were reported. It seemed to us that the students who met regularly in learning groups in the virtual space and maintained the exchange were better able to get through the difficult time. The HSZG's digital offerings improved over time, but there was a lack of direct exchange. Mini-jobs fell away, existential fears arose, depressive moods became more noticeable - Ms. Reinicke talked about her experience in the telephone and online consultations. On a positive note, the drop-out rate at the HSZG has not increased so far.
How the situation will develop in the future, how digitization at the HSZG will continue and how hybrid events will be made possible in the future remain current questions that concern students. And "could you attend a lecture from Lake Berzdorf"?
Despite the now well-organized online teaching, the HSZG would like to retain the advantages of the very good supervision ratio that can be experienced in person. If everything were to take place digitally, the personal character of the university would be lost. Rector Kratzsch also explained that digital final examinations remain tricky and difficult due to the legal hurdles. The longing for social life is great, the return to normal university life is more than desired by most, and as much presence as possible is sought. However, it will be "a great feat of strength to return to a normal university routine" .
...was asked. On the political side, Franziska Schubert pleaded for simple and understandable communication. Furthermore, it was important to continue to pursue a science-based approach. Ms Schubert also advocated discussing the knowledge gained from the pandemic experience to date.
Octavian Ursu is convinced that "we have all learned a great deal" and thanked the students for their exemplary behavior and called on everyone to encourage their fellow human beings to get vaccinated.
... looking back on the pandemic year, we missed each other. There are certainly students who haven't been able to make the best of the situation, who don't want to hear any more about the pandemic, who haven't been able to cope with social isolation. We received some feedback on this in the run-up to the event. The general mood within the student body seems to be divided. Depending on what their own personal situation has been like over the past year: between existential fears and available support, between successful online learning formats and seminars that could be expanded, ultimately between pleasure and frustration...
The CoronaDialog format also met with broad approval at this event. Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer also welcomed the ongoing dialog with students during the pandemic and commented on the HSZG's efforts and plans in the video.
Whether in person or digitally: the organization team plans to offer another event this year and engage in conversation with citizens.
The event was organized as part of the Saxony5 transfer project in cooperation with the Student Council (StuRa). The project team would like to thank all participants and especially Victoria Otto, who initiated and actively helped to organize this event.
