Ceremonial enrolment of the new students in the heart of Cottbus

On Monday afternoon, 7 October 2024, it was colourful and loud on the square in front of the Stadthalle. A drum roll by Los Pepinos attracted attention and Sorbian women in traditional costume greeted the guests with bread and salt before the enrolment ceremony for the new students began. They come from the region and from many countries around the world and had been applying since the summer for the 48 German-language and 14 English-language study programmes in Cottbus and Senftenberg.

Prof. Dr Gesine Grande, President of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, is delighted with the increasing interest of young people in her university every year. Even though enrolment is still in full swing and the final student numbers cannot be announced until the official statistics are released in November, she says: "We hope to have around 2,000 new students by the end of the enrolment period and thus continue to grow against the national trend. We have set the right course and are attractive to young people from Germany and all over the world with our academic profile and range of degree programmes."

Prof. Dr Peer Schmidt, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, adds: "Our strengths this year lie in the newly launched international Master's study programmes in Micro- and Nanoelectronics, Hybrid Electric Propulsion Technology, Transformation Studies and Urban Design. The teaching degree programme at Campus Senftenberg has also seen another strong increase with around 150 new students. Bachelor Thesis programmes such as Computer Science, Biotechnology, Architecture, Urban Planning and Social Work as well as the Master Thesis programmes Artificial Intelligence, Environmental and Resource Management, Power Engineering and World Heritage Studies are also making a significant contribution to our good results."

BTU traditionally kicks off the new academic year at the beginning of October with student activities during the "OTIWO" orientation week and with many beaming students. The ceremony in the town hall signals the ceremonial start and brings university flair to Cottbus city centre; it conveys cosmopolitanism, tolerance and confidence. The university management and members of the university celebrate together with students, partners and supporters from politics, business and culture. This year, Cottbus Mayor Marietta Tzschoppe and Senftenberg Mayor Andreas Pfeiffer spoke to the first-year students on behalf of the two university towns. Representatives of the student body also welcomed their new fellow students.

Prof. Dr Peer Schmidt performed the enrolment ceremony together with the Deans of the six faculties. They enrolled one student for each faculty - representing all first-semester students at the university.

This year's 1,000 euro prize from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD ) was awarded to Karen Revoredo Khalil. She received the award for her outstanding academic performances in the "Environmental and Resource Management" Bachelor's study programme and for her social commitment. This year marks the 30th time that BTU has awarded the DAAD prize to an international student.