22. December 2023

Stronger Together: Christmas Greetings from the Rector

In his video Christmas message, Rector Alexander Kratzsch looks back on the past year and, on behalf of the University Executive Board, wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences wishes you a Merry Christmas and a good New Year!

There are only a few days left in 2023! It’s time to look back on the most important events at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.

In his Christmas message, the Rector, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch, addresses students, staff, the faculty, and everyone associated with the university. He speaks with student Aileen about the university’s ongoing development and looks back on the highlights, challenges, and defining moments of 2023.

From the successful launch of the interdisciplinary Green Engineering degree programme to the strategic work of the Senate Commission on the University’s Further Development, and on to major milestones in university projects such as “Zukunftslernort Oberlausitz – ZukLOS, ” the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences consistently pursued a path of transformation in 2023 and will continue to do so in 2024.

In this context, Rector Kratzsch makes it clear that the strong sense of community and collaboration—characterized by mutual openness and understanding—are particularly close to his heart.

He extends a special thank you to those who, as part of the University for the Future process, have contributed in a variety of ways with their ideas and commitment to shaping the university of the future—whether in university-organized workshops, at large-scale events, or in smaller discussion groups.

The new year will bring new challenges for the HSZG. The university will rise to these challenges as well and act as a united community.

On behalf of the University Executive Board, Prof. Alexander Kratzsch wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, a restful holiday season, and a good New Year 2024.

Christmas Greeting from the Rector

The year 2023 at the HSZG!

January
  • Bautzen Employment Agency and HSZG confirm their cooperation with the degree of a cooperation agreementto keep young people in the region.
  • Following the peer-to-peer strategy consultation of the University Forum on Digitalization, the HSZG is implementing measures for the digitalization of studying and teaching in a participatory process. digitization of studies and teaching as part of the University-For-Future process and is participating in the SMWK/LRK kick-off workshop "Digital Transformation in Higher Education" to jointly develop an umbrella strategy for the Saxon higher education landscape.
february
March
  • With a diverse program, the HSZG was able to host University Open House and showcase its academic offerings to over 750 guests.
April
  • Handover of the funding decision for the investment measure AQVA-HEAT II by the Saxon Ministry for Regional Development
May
  • University Senate Approves Continuation of the Climate Protection Management. The University Senate’s decision sets the course for climate protection and achieving climate neutrality by 2040.
June
  • The HSZG looks back on an extremely successful participation in the Education and Career Fair INSIDERTREFF in Löbau, where over 4,000 visitors enthusiastically explored the diverse range of offerings.
  • The regional network for science, research, and education is founding the association Hi!Lusatia. The HSZG is a member.
  • The project Upper Lusatia Future Learning Center—ZukLOS has made great strides this year. One component is the DLR_School_Lab in Zittau, an extracurricular learning center. Through exciting experiments and close collaboration with the DLR, the goal is to bring scientific phenomena and technical innovations to life for children and young people. Planning is also progressing for the Experiment House in Görlitz and the “Mobile Learning Centers” initiative. Based on feedback from events such as the Teaching Day or the major event organised by the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies “Spaces of the Future” on June 28, the university plans to implement ideas for designing innovative teaching and learning spaces next year as part of the “Campus 4 You” initiative.
  • The Senate Commission’s strategic work concluded with a detailed report serving as a roadmap for the university’s future development and led to the establishment of the Implementation Planning Working Group to continue the university’s transformation.
July
  • 46 graduates of the 'Studienkolleg' (preparatory college) at the HSZG, hailing from 16 countries, have received their degree certificates and are now ready to begin their studies in Germany.
  • In June, long-time Chancellor Karin Hollstein stepped down. Christoph Duscha will assume the position of Chancellor .
august
  • The Saxon Film Academy is delighted to have so many graduates from its courses this year. The HSZG is particularly pleased that the Görlitz campus itself has become a film star. In August, filming took place here for the third part of the successful movie series "The School of Magical Animals".
  • The HSZG is successfully involved in the region's structural change projects. Particularly noteworthy here is the Center for Green Circular Economy, or CircEcon. As a research cluster, CircEcon will set standards for sustainable production and climate compatibility. The constituent meeting of the steering committee took place on August 16 at TU Dresden.
September
  • With the new "MyHSZG" campus app , students and members of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences have been able to perfectly organize their lives at and with the HSZG since the start of the 23/24 winter semester.
  • HSZG has completed the “Family-Friendly University ” audit and is on a good track to receive the certificate next year, which will allow it to officially designate itself as a “Family-Friendly University.” Goals and measures are set forth in a memorandum of understanding.
  • The university magazine EINBLICK has been relaunched. With a special focus on women in their diverse spheres of influence at the HSZG, it not only celebrates the achievements and contributions of women at our university but also makes a clear statement in support of gender equality.
october
  • In the “Biorefinery, Material Recycling, Energy, and Carbon” initiative, researchers from LaNDER³ , together with partner companies within the Energy and Carbon research focus area, are working on converting CO₂ into solid carbon. The team is conducting research using an SCCS plant developed at HSZG—a facility unique in Germany that converts CO₂ into solid carbon.
  • The GAT Institute is involved in the development of an AI-based software platform for independent living in old age.
  • For the first time in four years, due to the pandemic, a graduation ceremony what was held for the first time in four years. This year, we were able to celebrate our graduates in style in a festival tent on the Görlitz campus and send them off well-prepared for their professional futures.
  • Successful launch of the interdisciplinary Green Engineering degree programme in collaboration with the Faculties of Mechanical Engineering and Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Dual Study Programs on the rise— the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science' s KIA program is being promoted through high school student internships and attracting new students.
november
  • The HSZG is visiting Ulaanbaatar in Mongoliato promote international cooperation and academic exchange at the Saxon Education and Science Days.
  • Our podcast lineup just keeps growing: On our “hi@hszg – Podcast” , we take prospective students on a journey into the world of our degree programmes. In March, the HSZG presented its first-ever science podcast for children. In November, our environmental podcast series “Grünzeug gegen die Apokalypse” launched successfully and provides information on topics related to climate protection.
December
Photo: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch
Ihre Ansprechperson
Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Alexander Kratzsch
rektor(at)hszg.de
University Executive Board
02763 Zittau
Theodor-Körner-Allee 16
Building Z I, Room 1.55
1st floor
+49 3583 612-3000