Opening of the Science Year 2025/2026

"The future under tension: energy, AI and us in the city of tomorrow"

Begin 22. October 2025 - 16:30 Uhr
End 22. October 2025 - 20:30 Uhr
City In House G I, large lecture hall, Görlitz campus

What happens when energy, artificial intelligence and our changing region come together?

Illustration generated with artificial intelligence

With this guiding question, we will open the new Science Year of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences on October 22, 2025 in the Bluebox Görlitz.

Under the title "Future under tension: energy, AI and us in the city of tomorrow", we are addressing tensions that go far beyond energy technology: Where will new opportunities arise, where conflicts, and what does this mean for our cities and region?

We cordially invite you to join us in discussing the "future under tension", in research, innovation and urban development.

Program at a glance

Please note that the program is updated on an ongoing basis. Please check back regularly.

futureSAX "On the Road to Innovation - Energies of the Future"

European-funded cutting-edge research from Saxony, impulses for the economy and society, moderated by futureSAX.

Link to the FutureSAX event "On the Road to Innovation - Energies of the Future"

Ceremonial opening of the Science Year 2025/26

Opening and welcome by Prof. Dr. Sophia Keil, Vice President for Research, Transfer and International Affairs at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences

Keynote: Prof. Dr. Dr. Tanja Kneiske (TU Berlin & Fraunhofer IEG)

Prof. Dr. Dr. Tanja Kneiske has been Head of the Department of Technology and Management of Integrated Energy Infrastructures at TU Berlin since 2024 and is also Scientific Director at the Fraunhofer IEG in Cottbus. She is one of the Tagesspiegel's "100 Heads of Capital City Science 2025" and was appointed to the Federal Government's Expert Council for Climate Issues in September 2025.

Young Scientists @ HSZG

Fresh impetus from energy technology and artificial intelligence from young researchers at the university.

Award ceremonies
  • Sponsorship Award: The Sponsors' Association honors the best students and graduates of the HSZG every year.
  • Al Makhawi Prize: Since 1998, the Faculty of Business Administration and Engineering Management has awarded the Al Makhawi Prize for outstanding academic achievements. It was donated by its alumnus Dr. Rashid A. Al Makhawi, who feels a special connection to the university.
Panel "... and we in the city of tomorrow"

How can cities in our region be made climate-neutral, liveable and sustainable? What role does the participation of local people play in this?

  • Diana Karbe, Project Manager Economic Development of the City of Hoyerswerda
  • Prof. Dr. Robert Knippschild
    Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER), Head of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Transformative Urban Redevelopment (IZS) Görlitz
  • Thomas Krusekopf
    GreenZitty initiative
  • Real-world laboratory Hoyerswerda #WHY!
  • Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Florian Bläsing
    Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Team Leader NFG MUBARES
Conclusion of the evening & networking

Get into conversation and make new contacts at the exhibits, poster session and buffet.

Moderator of the event

Susanne Stump, Managing Director futureSAX

Susanne Stump brings international management experience from Berlin and Cambridge as well as many years of expertise in finance and real estate. She became part of the Saxon innovation ecosystem through her work as Project Managing Director of the Saxony5 university network and was responsible for knowledge and technology transfer from five universities of applied sciences.

Since 2021, she has been Managing Director of futureSAX, the innovation platform of the Free State of Saxony. She is passionate about making start-ups, transfer projects and companies visible, networking them and sustainably strengthening the culture of innovation in the Free State.

At the opening of the Science Year 2025/26, she will lead through the program as moderator.

Your contact persons for queries

Photo: Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Martin Kunack
Dipl.-Ing. (FH)
Martin Kunack
Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer
Location manager Saxony5
02763 Zittau
Outer Oybiner Str. 16
Building Z XII, Room 5
2nd floor
+49 3583 612-4793
M.A.
Fränzi Straßberger
Rectorate/research staff unit
02763 Zittau
Th.-Körner-Allee 16
Building Z I, Room 1.64
1st floor
+49 3583 612-4248
Rectorate/research staff unit
02826 Görlitz
Parkstrasse 2
Building G VII, Room 315
2nd upper floor
+49 3581 374-4248