Good advice, hands-on experience and rally adventures! At this year's INSIDERTREFF on May 25, 2024 at the Löbau Exhibition and Event Park, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences was once again able to impress around 4,000 guests with a 340 m² exhibition stand and a wide range of offers.

For the first time, a university rally was held, where you could win great prizes ranging from a brand new HSZG topper bottle to a classic mug. Participants had to answer questions at a terminal at several stands. The fun factor was huge and, at the same time, they received valuable information about the wide range of courses offered by the university.

At the HSZG's large stand, visitors had the opportunity to find out more about the various degree courses and offers, but above all to get hands-on experience of research. They immersed themselves in virtual reality with the help of VR goggles and found out what is possible. The biotechnology stand took a criminological approach: a swab of oral mucosa was used to investigate how DNA traces are analyzed at crime scenes. At the AI demonstrator, visitors were able to put the AI to the test and see how it identifies objects and what technology underlies it all. If the focus was more on the social sciences, visitors were able to find out how measures for inclusion and accessibility can be implemented in practice. The "Hello Mirrors" health mirrors invited visitors to find out more about the topic of activating care.

Together with District Administrator Dr. Stephan Meyer, the Rector of the HSZG, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch, visited the "HSZG World of Experience" in the flower hall of the exhibition grounds. During his visit, District Administrator Meyer emphasized that he thought it was great that various degree courses were thematically grouped together and presented at the HSZG stand. In his opinion, the decision of prospective students is based on topics and less on individual courses.

In addition to the wide range of offers in the flower hall, the HSZG and its dual study program could be found in exhibition hall 2, in close proximity to its many KIA partner companies, to present the cooperative study program with integrated training to the general public. Those who wanted to get physically active on the way between the exhibition halls could also stop off at the university sports stand in front of the flower hall and compete in a game of table tennis or take a seat in a comfortable deck chair and let the experience sink in.

The HSZG Student Advisory Service offered individual advice on choosing a course and the application process. Experts provided information about the newly planned range of courses in the area of apprenticeships. In addition to the degree courses, career opportunities at the HSZG were also advertised for the first time. Visitors were able to find out about current job vacancies and make specific inquiries. "From the student advisors to the professors and other stand supervisors to the university's social media team, everyone was on hand to provide advice and support and answer all questions about studying at the HSZG. We owe them all a big thank you," said Rector Alexander Kratzsch.

Text: Cornelia Rothe M.A.