Embracing this new chapter in life with courage

“It certainly took courage to submit an application for university, to embark on a new chapter in life, perhaps to move to a foreign culture, and to leave family and friends behind. Perhaps it took courage simply to decide to study at all, because none of us knows exactly how our society, technology, career paths and even the universities themselves will change in the coming years. I am all the more delighted that you were so courageous and are here today as a result!” said BTU President Prof. Dr Gesine Grande in her inaugural address. Under the motto ‘COURAGE’, she addressed the new students and welcomed them to the BTU.
The mayors of the university towns of Cottbus and Senftenberg, as well as representatives of the student body, also welcomed the new members of the BTU community.

Welcome to Cottbus

The ceremony began on the forecourt of the Stadthalle with a special welcome: in keeping with Sorbian tradition, the new students were greeted with bread and salt. This served to give them a warm welcome not only to the university, but also to their new home.
The CottbusBeats provided a surprise dance performance. The Indian dance group turned the forecourt into their stage for a while and delighted the arriving students and their families and friends.
A varied programme then awaited the guests inside the Stadthalle. Alongside musical accompaniment from the Open Symphonic Orchestra, the mayors of Cottbus and Senftenberg addressed the new students with words of welcome. Representatives of the Student Council (StuRa) also welcomed their new fellow students to the BTU community.
A special moment was the symbolic enrolment of six students. Representing the more than 2,000 first-year students, they were enrolled by the deans of their respective faculties.

The growing number of students at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg reflects the university’s positive development. Around 7,700 students are now enrolled across the university’s three campuses. Around half of them come from abroad. With a total of 69 study programmes, the BTU offers a diverse range of study options and is, at the same time, an internationally oriented centre of learning in Lusatia.
Particularly popular this year at Bachelor’s level are Social Work, Primary School Teacher Training, and Life Science and International Health. Among the Master’s study programmes, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Environmental and Resource Management are among the most sought-after courses. The BTU is seeing rising demand in particular for science-based study programmes such as Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, as well as for study programmes in the human sciences, including Nursing Science and Midwifery.
For the more than 2,000 new students, this marks the start of a new chapter in their lives at a growing, diverse and international university. The BTU extends a warm welcome to them – in Cottbus, in Senftenberg, in the Lusatia region and within the BTU community.