HSZG celebrates enrolment in St. Peter's Church in Görlitz with around 800 guests.
On October 2, 2025, around 800 guests attended the enrolment ceremony at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in the imposing parish church of St. Peter and Paul in Görlitz. The first semester students of the new academic year 2025/26 were welcomed in a festive setting. The guests included students, family members and friends as well as representatives from politics, science, business and society.
Pastor Dr. Matthias Paul opened the ceremony before State Secretary Prof. Dr. Heike Graßmann and Minister of Education Conrad Clemens gave welcoming addresses in which they also looked back on personal experiences and encouraged the young students to face pressing social issues with confidence and a good dose of a spirit of discovery. The Mayor of Görlitz for Integrated Urban Development, Benedikt Hummel, emphasized the advantages of Görlitz as a study location in a live talk. Vice President for Education and Sustainability Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Maćkowiak then presented the certificates to this year's Germany Scholarship holders at the university. She also paid tribute to the sponsors, without whose support the Deutschlandstipendium at the HSZG would not be possible in this form.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the speech by Rector Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch, who officially enrolled the new students on behalf of the entire university. At the same time, he reminded them of the challenges and special opportunities of studying: "There is a wide range of support on offer at our university. You are not alone. Get actively involved in the university community, because you too can be a helping hand for others."
You, dear first semester students, are not only learners, but also shapers of a community that looks beyond borders - geographically, culturally and intellectually.
”The ceremony was charmingly hosted by Victoria Hohlfeld, who gave the audience goosebumps with her special rendition of the World Cup song "Auf uns" by Andreas Bourani. Following the symbolic act of matriculation and the departure of the academic procession of honor, the university and student council invited guests to a get-together in the adjacent Vogtshof. With culinary delicacies from the catering company "Bauchgefühl" and with the support of the Studierendenwerk Dresden and the student club "Die Maus", the first semester students took the opportunity to network with each other and with lecturers, staff and guests.
From 9 p.m., the party continued in the student club "Die Maus": The new students started their new phase of life with music, drinks and a good atmosphere.
With the ceremonial act, the personal welcome of all nationalities and the subsequent party, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences underlines its familiar and at the same time international character - and makes it clear: studying at the HSZG does not just mean learning, but also becoming part of a lively community.
A video of the event will be available here shortly. So take another look when you get the chance, it's worth it!
Photos: Philipp Herfort
