The BTU welcomes its freshmen

On Monday, October 10, 2022, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) rang in the academic year 2022/23 in a solemn, dignified, and at the same time diverse and colorful manner. The BTU welcomed its freshmen and their families as well as many partners and supporters from politics, business and culture.

The enrollment ceremony began with a cheerful get-together in the center of Cottbus: Women in Sorbian traditional costumes welcomed the BTU guests with bread and salt. International students invited with dance performances and lively rhythms. The Collegium Musicum provided the musical framework for the welcoming ceremony in the large hall of the Stadthalle.

BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande: "For us it is a great joy and at the same time a responsibility that so many young people have decided to study at the BTU. They come from the region, from all over Germany and from all over the world. It is a matter close to our hearts that our students realize from the very beginning that they are part of the cosmopolitan BTU community. We invite them, indeed challenge them, to contribute their own ideas to their studies, to work with us on the research topics of the future, and to learn from each other."

Prof. Dr. Peer Schmidt, Vice President for Studies and Teaching , added: "Our enrollment procedures are still in full swing, but we can already say that for the second year in a row we will have more students than last year. This shows us that our study programs are meeting the interests of young people and the current needs of society."

Steffen Weber, head of the Science and Research Department, conveyed the greeting of the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg. Addressing the students, he said that BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is still a young, but very versatile university. "Many new research facilities are being established in the vicinity of the BTU, and long-standing research projects are also being funded directly at the BTU. So completely new perspectives are emerging, perspectives for the local people and also very specifically for you: perspectives with highly attractive jobs in the entire range of disciplines that the BTU covers with its study programs. So you're starting your studies at a really exciting time, in an exciting environment."

Mayor Holger Kelch and Mayor Andreas Fredrich spoke on behalf of the cities of Cottbus and Senftenberg. The representatives of the student body also warmly welcomed their new fellow students.

The Lord Mayor of Cottbus, Holger Kelch, said: "The BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is a beacon, backbone, cornerstone, engine, i.e. a driving and stabilizing force for the structural change of our Lausitz, the coal region par excellence. That is a statement and an expectation in equal measure."

The ceremonial matriculation was carried out by the Vice President for Studies and Teaching of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Prof. Dr. Peer Schmidt, together with the deans of the six BTU faculties: They enrolled one* student for each faculty, representing all freshmen* students of the university.

Presentation of the DAAD award Another highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) award to Carlos Renato Carrillo Avilés. He was honored for his outstanding academic achievements and social commitment. The Ecuadorian has been studying in the international Biotechnology program at the Senftenberg site since the summer semester of 2021. In addition to his excellent examination results, the 28-year-old is also involved in the "School Meets Science" project, which aims to familiarize schoolchildren with scientific topics and show them how these are dealt with in a concrete and lively way at a university. This year was the 28th time that the BTU has awarded the DAAD Prize, which is endowed with 1,000 euros, to an international student.