HSZG and Liberec University of Technology on the way to a new joint degree program
On March 15, 2023, a meeting took place between representatives of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and the Technical University of Liberec.
Prof. Kroschel and Prof. Zips met with a delegation from the TU Liberec. The aim of the meeting was to discuss a joint Bachelor's degree course at both universities entitled "European Business".
This course is intended to offer students the opportunity to study in both Germany and the Czech Republic and to acquire intercultural skills.
How did the idea for the new "European Business" course come about?
The university already has a number of English-language courses in the Master's area, but there has not yet been a fully English-language Bachelor's course. We want to fill this gap. We are convinced that further internationalization of our university is necessary in order to retain students and employees in the region. The degree course should be an attractive offer for students who come not only from Upper Lusatia, but also from other regions of Germany and abroad, particularly from the Czech Republic and Poland.
Internationality is a top priority at the HSZG. How did the cooperation with the TU Liberec come about?
We have been working with the TU Liberec for many years in connection with the cooperative Master's degree course in International Management, in which the TU Liberec is also involved alongside the HSZG and the IHI Zittau. Professors from the HSZG supervise the Master's theses of students from Liberec, and our colleague Prof. Zips is a member of the examination board that conducts the Czech state examination at the TU Liberec. Two doctoral students from TU Liberec are currently on an ERASMUS exchange at the Faculty of Business Administration and Engineering Management at the HSZG. In addition, our International Office supports us in intensifying contacts with our colleagues from Liberec.
A new degree course means a lot of preparation. What do you find appealing about setting up a new degree course?
It's great to be involved in the development of the university and to contribute my own ideas to the design of a new degree program. I also enjoy the contact and cooperation with my colleagues from Liberec.
What can future students who enrol on "European Business" expect and when might the new course start?
The course is expected to start in the winter semester 2024/25. The courses will take place in both Zittau and Liberec, for example on Monday and Tuesday in Zittau and on Wednesday and Thursday in Liberec. You can be in the other city in just under half an hour by train. A semester abroad at another partner university abroad is also planned. It will be a very practical course, which will include some language modules as well as the basics of business. So there is quite a lot of internationality in the course.
