Two days of living a welcoming culture

On June 16 and 17, 2025, we welcomed a group of 21 students—accompanied by the director of the Rahn Education Leipzig 'Studienkolleg' (preparatory college) and eight faculty members—to our campus in Zittau for the second time. “The goal of this visit was to get to know our campus, our diverse range of degree programs, and the friendly atmosphere here, ” said the Rector, Prof. Dr. Alexander Kratzsch.

A Glimpse into Our University

The two-day program offered exciting insights into the faculties of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, as well as the Faculty of Business Administration and Engineering Management. The guests were given the opportunity to get a feel for the facilities available at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the special support options offered, and the support students can expect right from the start of their studies.

A Warm Welcome

The Rector, Prof. Dr. Alexander Kratzsch, opened the event with warm words: “It is a great pleasure to welcome so many students here. International Affairs are particularly important to me, as they contribute significantly to the diversity of our beautiful region.” Following the welcoming remarks, the interactive program began.

Creative and Technical Workshops

Participants had the opportunity to get hands-on experience in various workshops. They printed T-shirts with university motifs, soldered jewelry, and worked with 3D printers and laser cutters in the AirLab—allowing prospective students to be creative and make their first connections with the university.

Experiencing a Sense of Community at the Welcome Party

A special highlight was the Welcome Party at the Dezibar, where students from various countries were able to quickly develop a sense of community together with guests from Leipzig over music, karaoke, and a delicious buffet. Danaé Lange, director of the Rahn Education Leipzig 'Studienkolleg', emphasized: “These two days offer a unique opportunity for the students at our 'Studienkolleg' to gain authentic insights into the academic programs, research areas at HSZG, and student life. The collaboration between HSZG and Rahn Education has been of central importance for years when it comes to successfully integrating young international scholars. This trip demonstrates that very clearly.”

Warm Greetings from Afar – Vice President Keil Joins the Visit Despite Being on a Business Trip

Even though she was unable to be there in person, Vice President for Research, Knowledge Transfer, and International Affairs, Professor Sophia Keil, made sure to convey her appreciation to the guests from Leipzig from afar. From a business trip in Sweden, she sent a personal video message: “It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to our university. Your visit is a wonderful opportunity for us to strengthen international cooperation and discover new paths for learning and research together. I am convinced that such encounters strengthen the bridges between countries and cultures and also provide us, as a university, with important impetus for our further development.”

Insights into Studies and Research

Following the warm remarks from the Vice President and a hearty breakfast, the guests gained exciting insights into the degree programmes offered by the faculties of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Business Administration and Engineering Management. Through activities such as soldering, CAD design, materials testing, and Arduino workshops, our students were able to experience firsthand the hands-on and innovative academic atmosphere at our university.

Important Information for Starting Your Studies

To wrap things up, Madeleine Pohl from the International Office provided information about the application process and offered helpful tips for starting your studies. After touring Zittau’s Old Town and making their own souvenirs, the students from Leipzig finally headed home.

Conclusion and Acknowledgments

“This event was a resounding success for our collaboration with Rahn Education Leipzig and helped further strengthen our international relationships. It not only sparked interest in our university and our region but also promoted intercultural exchange. We are particularly pleased that we were able to offer the students insights into our diverse range of degree programs, our innovative research environment, and our open, welcoming culture,” summarized Rector Kratzsch.

A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who contributed to the success of this visit: the participants from the Rahn Education Leipzig 'Studienkolleg' (preparatory college), the organizing team, the faculties and their dedicated staff—in particular Ondrej Svarc, Egmont Schreiter, and Ahmer Omer from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Nora Terlunen, Mareike Schneider, and Matthias Herrmann from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; Tom Walter from the Faculty of Business Administration and Engineering Management; and Madeleine Pohl from the division of Student Services & International Affairs. Special thanks go to Mario Linack and the Friends of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences for their support of the welcome party.

We look forward to further joint projects and ongoing collaboration to make our university even more international and diverse.