Minister President Michael Kretschmer visited the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences at the Zittau campus on Friday and learned about current developments at the university, particularly with regard to structural change, during a meeting with the Rectorate.

The discussion focused on the university's broad participation in research and structural change projects as well as large-scale research centers.

Rector Prof. Alexander Kratzsch reported on the development of the new Green Engineering course. This forward-looking course is designed to train specialists for the modern circular economy and thus make a significant contribution to the sustainable use of resources. "We are developing the course in a participatory and interdisciplinary way with pupils, students and companies. In this way, we are creating a course that incorporates the needs of the growth industry as well as the expectations and ideas of our future students," summarizes the Rector.

The successful developments in the HSCG's "Innovative Healthcare Systems" field of action were also discussed. For example, the new primary qualification Bachelor's degree course in Nursing will start in the winter semester 2022/2023 and will prepare 30 young people for the nursing care of the future in the first run.

Consideration was also given to anchoring teacher training in rural areas in order to prevent the shortage of teachers in these regions and to offer young people more attractive opportunities to stay.

Minister President Michael Kretschmer emphasized the great importance of the HSZG for Saxony and for the region:

Following the round of talks, the Minister President visited the Zittau power plant laboratory on the premises of Stadtwerke Zittau GmbH.

"Among other things, we are conducting research here on a multi-cylinder piston engine that can be operated both as a heat pump and as a heat engine. This allows electricity to be stored in steam and converted back into electricity," explains Rector Prof. Alexander Kratzsch. He particularly emphasizes the Zittau municipal utilities, which are a unique combination of production, research and education location at the same time. The establishment of the German Aerospace Center in Zittau and the resulting intensified cooperation has given the research work in the power plant laboratory a further innovative boost.

Minister President Michael Kretschmar is impressed: "The knowledge gained here is helping to make power plant processes even more efficient. The scientists working here are thus making a very tangible contribution to our energy supply."

At the end of the visit, the Minister President stated: "I sensed a great joy in the success here in Zittau today. That makes me very confident about the development of Upper Lusatia."