Dear members of the university community,

My name is Catharina Döhler, and for me, health is NOT something that can be taken for granted.

Health plays a central role in the university context, as it forms the basis for successful learning and teaching. A health-promoting and inclusive university helps all members to reach their full potential. The efforts of university health management not only strengthen individual health, but also the community and academic success.

Holistic university health management (HGM)

Thanks to the support of the Techniker Krankenkasse health insurance fund, the project to implement university health management at HTWD has now been extended until August 2026. In recent years, this has made it possible to offer services specifically for HTWD employees. In future, greater attention will be paid to the health of students. I would therefore like to find out what challenges you face in your everyday student life and what your visions are for a modern, healthy study experience. I cordially invite you to get in touch with me, share your ideas and get actively involved in the Student Health Management Working Group. I am always open to suggestions and look forward to a direct exchange. Contact: gesund(at)htw-dresden.de

Next dates for the working groups on health management:
15 April 2026 Arbeitskreis Hochschulgesundheit (online) & 27 May 2026 Student health forum

Maintaining and promoting your health within the framework of occupational health and safety is my main concern. This goes beyond simply participating in company medical check-ups. I am happy to be your point of contact for any problems or complaints you may have at work.

Here are some examples of topics we can discuss

• Mental stress
• Conflicts in the workplace
• Overwork due to personal stress (e.g. caring for relatives)
• Support with applying for rehabilitation measures, applying for severe disability status and participation in working life
• Support with addiction counselling

The counselling is, of course, subject to medical confidentiality and is aimed at all HTW employees, especially professors.

Every employee of HTW Dresden has the opportunity to take advantage of the voluntary and free services offered by the occupational health service.
The following dates for preventive medical check-ups are planned for 2026:

• 03 March /2026, 08:00 a.m. -  3:30 p.m.
• 20 May 2026, 08:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• 19 November 2026, 08:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Please arrange occupational health check-up appointments through the Human Resources Department (rene.weise(at)htw-dresden.de). 
Regardless of occupational health care, you can arrange consultation appointments on the above topics directly with Dr. Kemper. (s.kemper@zags-dresden.de or by telephone: 0351/ 440 3660)

Further information can be found here.

Occupational safety objectives of HTW Dresden

1. Occupational safety is a fundamental concern of managers and those in positions of responsibility.

2. Together, we want to do everything in our power to ensure working conditions at our university in which employees can work safely, healthily and successfully. This includes safe and ergonomic work equipment, workplaces and work processes. Employees are encouraged to behave in a safe and healthy manner.

3. Considering HTW Dresden's educational mission in society, we take into account that students, both during their studies and in teaching and experimental courses, recognise the relevance of health and safety at HTW Dresden, learn to appreciate its importance for all employees and managers, and can adapt it to their future professional lives.

Further information and contact persons for occupational safety.

Workplace integration management is part of the employer's duty of care towards its employees. It is the common goal of the department, the staff council and the representative body for disabled employees to improve health, work capacity and motivation. This is intended to enable the longest possible participation in working life. The workplace integration management is based on voluntary participation, dialogue and consensus and is not punitive in nature. It is based on Section 167(2) of the Social Security Code (SGB) IX.

Acute illnesses or accidents can occur anytime, anywhere, including at HTWD workplaces and study locations.

Important telephone numbers and documents can be found here: First aid/emergency/accident

Regular exercise not only improves physical fitness, but also promotes mental well-being and has been proven to reduce the risk of a number of common diseases. Furthermore, regular physical activity is a helpful strategy for coping with stress, promotes mental regeneration and can contribute to the alleviation of various ailments.
With our exercise and sports programmes, we want to support you in implementing a healthy lifestyle or on your way to achieving one.

Our programmes

• Dresden University Sports Centro (DHSZ) (for students and employees)
• Sport programmes for employees (DHSZ)
• Active Break
• In-House Yoga Classes (for employees)
• Family hiking day (for students and employees)
• Running training (for students and employees)
• REWE Teamchallenge (for employees)
• Dragon boat race (for students and employees)
• City Cycling (for students and employees)

Surely anyone can communicate?!

Communication is usually spontaneous and unconscious. It is only when things go wrong that we look for the causes. In communication training courses, you therefore analyse hidden communication patterns. You identify the reasons why communication breaks down and learn what constitutes good, equal communication. You can find communication courses here:

• Workshops and training courses at Meissen University of Applied Sciences (for staff)

Healthy leadership

You can find programmes for managers as well as further training and professional development opportunities here:

• Further training and professional development catalogue
• Annual performance reviews
• Staff development and leadership guidelines

Conflict resolution

Wherever people with their individual characteristics come together, conflicts can arise. Tensions, differences and conflicts in companies and organisations are therefore more the norm than the exception. Conflicts can be necessary and even productive if they are taken seriously and all those involved find an active way of dealing with them.

• Advice from the Equality Officers (for staff)
• Complaints Office under the General Equal Treatment Act (Section 13 AGG) (for students and staff)
• Facilitated conflict counselling for teams at the Meissen Training Centre (for staff)
• Staff Council – Conflict resolution in the workplace (for staff)
• Psychosocial Counselling Service of the Dresden Student Union (for students)
• Social counselling service of the Dresden Student Union
• StuRa (for students)

Team events

Team-building activities include all measures and activities aimed at strengthening team spirit. Here is an overview of the team activities on offer:

• Team events organised by the DHSZ
• Team event equipment hire (without supervision)
• REWE Team Challenge (for staff)
• Dragon boat race (for staff)

Mental health means mental well-being. People who feel mentally healthy actively participate in life and cope with stress. To promote and maintain mental health, there are a variety of services available to employees and students at HTW Dresden, e.g.:

• Mindful HTWD (online university lunchtime meditation)
• Relaxation programmes (e.g. in-house yoga classes)
• Overview of relaxation rooms
• Contact persons and points of contact
• Support in conflicts

You can find offers and contact persons here.

In addition to the services already mentioned, we offer further health services:

e.g.

• Massage
• Healthdays
• Screenings and health check-ups
• Healthy advent calendar
• Blood donation
• Flu vaccination
• Lectures and workshops
• and much more