Welcome to HTWD: More than 1,500 first-year students are starting their degree courses
The new students were welcomed at the Kulturpalast during the formal enrolment ceremony. A week of events, advisory services and social gatherings will mark the start of their studies.
More than 1,500 first-year students are starting their studies this semester at the HTW Dresden. This brings the university’s total student numbers to over 5,000. The official start was marked on Monday by the enrolment ceremony at the Kulturpalast in Dresden.
Rector Professor Ingo Gestring, Dresden’s Lord Mayor Dirk Hilbert and the Chair of the HTWD Students’ Council, Wiebke Zieslosko, welcomed the new students and wished them every success as they begin their studies.
Bridging the gap between science and practice
In his address, Rector Professor Ingo Gestring highlighted the close link between academia and professional practice at the HTWD. Companies value the university’s graduates because, in addition to academic knowledge, they also possess practical skills. Many professors, lecturers with specialised roles and laboratory engineers have professional experience and are able to incorporate this into their teaching and research.
“Putting technology and innovation into practice is a guiding principle of our university. To achieve this even more effectively, we are developing the university into a ‘transfer university’,” said Gestring. In future, so-called ‘transfer hubs’ are set to bring together interdisciplinary projects driven by researchers. Students will be given the opportunity to get involved in these projects right from the start of their studies and to tackle application-oriented questions within the transfer hubs.
Wiebke Zielosko from the Student Council encouraged first-year students to make the most of the coming years to discover their own interests and develop both professionally and personally: “You don’t need to know today what the next few years will look like or in which direction you want to develop professionally.” University life offers the opportunity to meet new people, gain experience and find out what you’re good at.
Awards for the best students
As part of the matriculation ceremony, the university honours the best graduates from each Faculty of the previous academic year. The recipients were Malte Vockrodt (Civil Engineering), Lisa Lotte Van der Horst (Design), Clemens Taggeselle (Electrical Engineering), Malin Albrecht (Spatial Information), Dustin Heyer (Computer Science/Mathematics), Johanna Honig (Agriculture/Environment/Chemistry), Amelie Kolb (Business Administration) and Emil Bude (Mechanical Engineering). Gesine Minners received the HTW Dresden Friends’ Association Prize for outstanding academic achievement.
A comprehensive programme to help you get to know the area
The formal enrolment ceremony marks the start of university life. During the welcome week, which is largely organised by the Student Council (StuRa), new students get to know their Faculties, key contact persons and the university. The programme includes, amongst other things, information sessions, advisory services and activities organised by the Faculties and student initiatives.
There are also plenty of activities on offer for the 220 international students starting at the university this winter semester – ranging from a barbecue and a city treasure hunt to a hike in Saxon Switzerland. International Week is organised by Faranto e.V. and the International Office.
