A ceremonial farewell at the Sachsendorf Campus

A special milestone in the students’ lives was celebrated at the Sachsendorf Campus of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg: Graduates from the Social Work and Instrumental and Vocal Performance and Teaching study programmes were honoured at a festive graduation ceremony on 2 October 2026.

After years of intensive study, numerous examinations and many personal and academic challenges, the graduates were able to raise a glass to their successful final degree together with their families, friends, lecturers and fellow students.

The festive occasion was marked by speeches from BTU President Prof. Gesine Grande and the Dean of the university’s Faculty of Human Sciences, Prof. Jens Schubert. In their addresses, they paid tribute to the graduates’ achievements whilst also reflecting on the diverse opportunities and responsibilities that now lie ahead of them. With their specialist knowledge, personal experiences and commitment, the graduates are ideally prepared to take on responsibilities in society, culture and education. And, as Prof. Schubert emphasised, they are also prepared, where necessary, to do things differently from before, with the courage to embrace change.

The Student Council also had its say. Anna Zacharias, a student of Social Work, also bid farewell to the graduates. Although she still has her Master’s thesis to complete, she was all the more delighted for her former fellow students’ success and conveyed the Student Council’s very best wishes to all the graduates.   

These two disciplines in particular embody a close link between professional expertise, social engagement and personal development. Whilst the graduates in Social Work will in future support people in various life situations and help shape social developments, the graduates in Instrumental and Vocal Performance and Teaching will bring their musical and pedagogical skills to bear in schools, music schools, cultural institutions and other educational settings.

Naturally, music was an essential part of the graduation ceremony for the Instrumental and Vocal Performance and Teaching study programme, and so students Deanna Wirth and Stella-Marie Jahn from the study programme used their musical talents to create a festive atmosphere at the event.

A highlight of the ceremony was the traditional presentation of the graduation caps. By putting on their caps together and then tossing them into the air, the students visibly and symbolically celebrated the successful completion of their studies. The moment also marked the transition to a new phase of life – accompanied by pride in what had been achieved and anticipation of what lies ahead for the young graduates.

The champagne reception and barbecue organised by the Student Council that followed provided an opportunity for socialising, taking souvenir photos and saying personal goodbyes to fellow students and lecturers. Many conversations made it clear that, whilst the final degree marks the end of an important chapter, the connections and memories formed during their studies will endure; today’s graduates are tomorrow’s alumni and will always be warmly welcomed back to the BTU for events, conferences or even as professionals.

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg warmly congratulates all graduates on successfully obtaining their final degree and wishes them every success, courage and confidence as they embark on their future professional and personal journeys.