Experience the campus, discover laboratories, gain perspectives.

This week, we welcomed the students of the Rahn Studienkolleg Leipzig, an affiliated institute of the HSZG. The international guests traveled from Leipzig to get to know the university and the region.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch, Rector of the HSZG, warmly welcomed the prospective students to the university. The guests also received comprehensive information about studying at the HSZG from Robert Viertel and Inna Hauf, both from the Vice-Rectorate for Education and International Affairs. Inna Hauf shared her own story: she also came to Germany several years ago without any knowledge of German, full of questions and uncertainties. But through the Studienkolleg - the same path that the guests present are now taking - she found her way in and subsequently successfully completed a degree. Her path offered the students an authentic insight into the opportunities and possibilities that studying in Germany, and at the HSZG in particular, opens up.

The visit began with a campus tour and laboratory tours, which gave the students an insight into the modern facilities and technical equipment at the HSZG. In the evening, they were invited to the international evening in the Dezi-Bar, where the Rectorate opened the current winter semester together with the students, international students and international staff of the HSCG. The relaxed atmosphere provided an opportunity to get to know each other and gain initial insights into university life.

The Rector of the HSZG, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch, stands in front of a group of prospective students from the Rahn Studienkolleg Leipzig and welcomes them to the lecture hall. In the background you can see a banner with courses on offer and a presentation screen.

A group of international prospective students from the Rahn Studienkolleg Leipzig pose for a group photo together with the Rector of the HSZG in front of the entrance area of the university. Everyone is standing close together and smiling at the camera as the afternoon sun illuminates the entrance to the building.

Robert Viertel and Inna Hauf stand at the front of a lecture hall and speak to prospective international students at the Rahn Studienkolleg Leipzig. A presentation entitled "Welcome to Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences" can be seen in the background. The audience sits in rows and listens attentively to the welcome.

Inna Hauf stands at the front of a lecture hall and speaks to a group of international prospective students from the Rahn Studienkolleg Leipzig. In the background is a screen showing a presentation entitled "Welcome to Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences". The audience sits in rows in front of her and listens attentively to her greeting.

"With the cooperation between the HSZG and the Rahn Institute Leipzig, we are creating a bridge for prospective international students who would like to shape their professional future by studying in Germany," explained the Rector of the HSZG, Prof. Dr.-Ing. "Our aim is to open up prospects of an international education for them - perhaps also as future specialists for our region."

Rector of the HSZG, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch

On the second day, the focus was on laboratory practicals and workshops. In small groups, the students exchanged ideas with lecturers and students at the HSZG and got to know the university's individual support structure.

A person stands in a laboratory at the HSZG and explains various laboratory processes to a group of international prospective students from the Rahn Studienkolleg Leipzig. Shelves with laboratory utensils and equipment can be seen in the background. The audience stands in a group and follows the explanations attentively.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Wiegert stands in a laboratory at the HSZG and speaks to a group of international prospective students at the Rahn Studienkolleg Leipzig. The participants stand in a group and listen attentively. Laboratory equipment and work materials can be seen in the background.

Dr. Wolfgang Menzel explains various aspects of the technical equipment to the visitors in a spacious laboratory of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the HSZG. The laboratory is modernly equipped, with numerous technical boards and devices, while the group listens attentively.

Matthias Tirsch stands in the LANDER³ hall of the HSZG and shows a group of visitors various sustainable materials. Information posters and stored materials can be seen in the background. The participants listen attentively and look at the objects on display while Tirsch explains the innovative application possibilities and the contribution of this research to environmental protection.

"Our aim is not only to make it easier for international students to start their studies, but also to show them paths for a future in our region and beyond," said the Vice-Rector for Education and International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Sophia Keil. "The HSZG is a place where talented people from all over the world are welcome and can contribute their ideas."

Prof. Dr. Sophia Keil, Vice-Rector for Education and International Affairs

A group of college students sit at a table in the Dezi Bar and have a happy evening. One participant holds a camera to capture the memories, while other guests sit and eat together in the background.

Prof. Dr. Sophia Keil is sitting at a table in the Dezi Bar talking to two colleagues. The atmosphere is relaxed and the three people are smiling during the conversation.

The Cooperative Study Program with Integrated Training (KIA), which combines vocational training with a degree course and offers financial independence and practical experience, aroused particular interest. KIA coordinator Kristin Groß has been working closely with the Rahn Institute for some time and had already presented the study model in Leipzig. In Zittau, she was able to provide the students with in-depth insights and possible prospects, such as cooperation with partner companies, for starting their studies at the HSZG.

The students were impressed by the personal atmosphere and the location of the HSZG in the border triangle. Perhaps we will be able to welcome some of them as students from the winter semester 2025/26.

Special thanks go to the HSZG Sponsors' Association, KIA-Studium and the International Office, whose financial support made the international evening and the organization of the two days possible.

We would also like to thank all those involved, in particular Prof. Dr. Thomas Wiegert(Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences), Dr. Wolfgang Menzel(Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), Matthias Tirsch(LANDER³ Halle) and Christian Vogel (Robotics Technology), for the laboratory tours, as well as the Student Union for providing the dormitory rooms and the additional breakfast service by the canteen.

Text: Susanne Fentzel // Photos: Oliwia Sikorska

Prorektorin für Bildung und Internationales

Prof. Dr. rer. pol.

Sophia Keil

prorektorin-bildung(at)hszg.de

Rectorate

02763 Zittau

Theodor-Körner-Allee 16

Building Z I, Room 1.51.3
1st floor

+49 3583 612-3010

Leiterin International Office

M.A.

Alina Bulcsu

alina.bulcsu(at)hszg.de

Department of Studies and International Affairs

02763 Zittau

Theodor-Körner-Allee 16

Building Z I, Room 0.13
EC

+49 3583 612-4255

+49 3583 6125-4255