BTU semester kick-off in the neue Bühne Senftenberg - setting the course for partnership cooperation

BTU students from first and higher semesters experienced a rousing start to the semester with exciting information, music and party atmosphere together with professors, Staff Members and guests of honor on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the neue Bühne Senftenberg. The theater and the BTU thus continued a long-standing tradition and built on the great success of the event from the previous year. Once again, they were able to rely on the support of the city of Senftenberg and the district of Oberspreewald-Lausitz.

Intendant Daniel Ris, BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, Robert Weidner, Head of the Department of Education, Finance and Internal Administration, representing District Administrator Siegurd Heinze, and Mayor Andreas Pfeiffer welcomed the participants and in particular the new students. Ronja Tittel welcomed the new students on behalf of the student body.

Lena and Andy, well-known from the nB Extra format "nightBühne", led through the semester kick-off. Musical excerpts from the Gundermann evening "Wo soll ich landen", which will premiere on November 11, framed the program, which gave an entertaining preview of the current season of the new stage.

Thesigning of new cooperation agreements between the district of Oberspreewald-Lausitz and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg as well as between the city of Senftenberg and the BTU set the course for future cooperation.

Thedistrict of Oberspreewald-Lausitz and the BTU intend to further expand their existing cooperation, in particular with regard to the further implementation of structural change and the associated challenges. This involves strengthening in the areas of science and research, technology development, Transfer of Knowledge and Technology, business development, climate change/climate protection, as well as skilled workers and student recruitment. Among other things, the BTU is committed to the topic of business start-ups and expressly supports spin-offs from the university. In particular, projects between chairs and companies in the area of structural change or health care and the Lausitz model region are to be jointly funded.

In their cooperation agreement, the  city of Senftenberg and the BTU renew and reaffirm the will to expand and intensify the existing successful cooperation. Among other things, this aims to promote the strengthening of Senftenberg as a location in the region, to further increase the awareness of the partners among the regional, national and international public, to intensify the transfer of information and knowledge and to fund the active coexistence of citizens and students as well as internationality. The rapid implementation of scientific findings in practice is to be supported, as is the establishment of non-university research institutions.

BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande said:
"I am particularly pleased that we have the opportunity today to welcome our students in the wonderful ambience of the new Senftenberg stage at the start of the winter semester and at the same time seal further cooperation with such eminent partners as the district of Oberspreewald-Lausitz and the city of Senftenberg. Only by joining forces will we succeed in meeting the current challenges facing society and in further developing the BTU and the region as an attractive location for science and business. With the establishment of new chairs and study programmes, the further development of the Senftenberg site into a health campus is progressing. Just over a week ago, we were able to open the new study programme in primary education, which was set up in record time, and welcome the first 56 students. I am sure that they, too, will contribute their ideas and commitment to the realization of our common goals."

On the occasion of the signing of the cooperation agreement, the mayor of the city of Senftenberg, Andreas Pfeiffer, emphasized:
"We want to join forces with BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and further develop the university city of Senftenberg together. I am pleased that we are again signing this cooperation agreement. The BTU has made Senftenberg a teacher city. Brandenburg's elementary school teachers will come from Senftenberg in the future. This success story at record speed shows that we are equal partners at eye level."

The head of the education department of the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district, Robert Weidner, explained:
"The BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is already an important location factor and stimulus for the district. The conclusion of the agreement underscores our joint aspiration to continue shaping the region through education, innovation and sustainable development in the future. The goal is to achieve positive effects, among other things, for the economy and the retention of skilled workers in the region through joint commitment. To this end, existing successful approaches are to be strengthened and supplemented with new innovative ideas and projects. To make this possible, we will continue to cooperate closely."

The Intendant of the neue Bühne Senftenberg Daniel Ris expressed:
"After the great response of the semester opener last year, we are pleased to host this event again today. That on the boards, which mean the world to us, such for the region trend-setting agreements are closed - that honors us besides very much. After the successful collaborations in the first season of the new artistic management team of the new stage with the BTU, we look forward to a continuation as well as further development of these - and to welcoming back many of the new and old students."