KNOWLEDGE FOR ALL: BTU’s summer programme invites you to learn, discover and get involved

From herb gardens and local history to artificial intelligence and excursions to future projects in Lusatia: the ‘Knowledge for All’ guest student programme at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) kicks off the 2026 summer semester with a varied programme. 

Studying without the pressure to perform: with the ‘KNOWLEDGE FOR ALL’ guest student programme, BTU invites anyone interested to experience science and university life at first hand – regardless of age or formal admission requirements. Lectures, workshops, excursions and project groups offer a wide range of opportunities for learning, exchange and joint exploration of current topics in science, society and culture.

Kick-off with an information event and the Seniors’ Academy

To mark the start of the summer semester, the Open University is hosting an information and introductory event on the Campus Senftenberg on 15 April 2026 at 2 pm. Here, interested parties will receive an overview of the programme and can ask questions or complete registration directly.

Immediately afterwards, the Senior Academy – a very popular feature of our programme – will begin: this lecture series offers weekly academic talks on current topics and enables participants to experience university-level seminars in a compact format.

Focus on nature, technology and society

In the summer term, too, the programme combines different perspectives from academia and everyday life. Those interested in technology can experience how individual garden objects are created from digital templates in the ‘3D Printing Garden’ workshop. The ‘Orientation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ workshop provides accessible insights into current developments in AI and their significance for everyday life, education and work.

Nature lovers are invited to discover the Educational Centre for Nature and the Environment (PZNU). During a guided tour of the herb garden, the ‘herb witches’ share their knowledge of native herbs.

Discovering Lusatia in transition

Naturally, a particular focus of the programme is on the Lusatia region. Two excursions visit selected projects from the book “99 Future Objects from Lusatia” and offer insights into innovative Architecture, new technologies and the region’s transformation.

History and the present come together on the guided tour “Brache in Cottbus City Centre”. Historian Steffen Krestin takes participants on a search for traces of the former city promenade and shows how this central location in the city centre has changed and what prospects this holds for the future. Further excursions lead to Cottbus’s Ostsee or to Doberlug Castle Museum.

Exchange, creativity and lifelong learning

Alongside new events, tried-and-tested formats remain part of the programme. The Literary Exchange focuses on key works of world literature as well as participants’ favourite books. The writing workshop, the eyewitness project group and two language courses invite participants to share their own experiences and learn together.

The guest student programme is part of the BTU’s Open University and is intended as a contribution to lifelong learning. Events in the summer semester begin on 13 April 2026.

Those interested can complete online registration and then select individual events from the programme.