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From the Centre – Rector Volker Tolkmitt: “I hereby enrol you in the community of Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. You are now members of our university – a very warm welcome!”

5 October 2023

More in Mittweida

The academic year begins for 1,400 first-year students with an orientation week, the first lectures and an enrolment ceremony. Enrolment figures are up and attendance at all events is high. The campus is buzzing.

This page was translated automatically using artificial intelligence (DeepL). The German version is binding. More information about automatic translation

“It’s a sort of first for me too, and I’m delighted to welcome you here for the first time whilst wearing my chain of office,” admits Rector Volker Tolkmitt. It is his first matriculation ceremony at the Stadtkirche as Rector of Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. — “It’s a sort of first for me too, and this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of welcoming you here whilst wearing my chain of office,” admits Rector Volker Tolkmitt. It is his first matriculation ceremony in the town church as Rector of Mittweida University of Applied Sciences.

It’s impossible to miss in this university town: the students are back! As early as last week, the 1,400 first-year students for this winter term arrived for the orientation days and their first lectures. That’s fifteen per cent more than last year. And more than ever before turned up on the afternoon of 4 October for the matriculation ceremony at the Protestant town church ‘Unser lieben Frauen’, which was packed to capacity, including the galleries. Many parents came along too.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Volker Tolkmitt also addressed them: “Dear parents and grandparents, you can now leave with peace of mind: from now on, the university family will take care of them.”

Enrolment is more than just an administrative formality. “It is about a relationship we wish to enter into. You are now members of our institution, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails,” the Vice-Chancellor continued. “The conditions for your studies are excellent, and we want to support you and help you progress over the coming semesters. … But we are also counting on you. You are the generation that must ensure that well-paid jobs continue to be created in Germany in the future, so that the old formula of ‘prosperity for all’ can continue to hold true.”

On behalf of all first-year students, Tolkmitt specifically enrolled those celebrating their birthdays this week.

The vicar of the town church, Reverend Nina-Maria Mixtacki, said: “I sincerely hope that, during your time at university, you will come to realise that, whilst you are unique, you are also part of a community.” — The vicar of the town church, Reverend Nina-Maria Mixtacki, quotes the Apostle Paul: “‘Here there is neither Jew nor Greek, here there is neither slave nor free, here there is neither male nor female; for you are all one.’ Translated into today’s terms: It doesn’t matter which country you come from, whether you are rich or poor, what you believe in, or which gender you identify with – we all belong to one community. … I sincerely hope that, during your time as a student, you will come to realise that, in your uniqueness, you are part of a community.”

Holger Müller, Deputy Mayor of Mittweida, is proud that his town can call itself a university town: “I am convinced that you have made a good and wise decision in choosing Mittweida as your place of study.” — Holger Müller, a councillor in Mittweida, is proud that his town can call itself a university town: “I am convinced that you have made a good and wise decision in choosing Mittweida as your place of study. … You might enjoy it here so much that you won’t want to leave at all. Your time in Mittweida will be a wonderful experience. And you’ll certainly find that it flies by.”

Gordon Guido Oswald, Managing Director of the Students’ Council, invites students to get involved in projects and committees. Reflecting on the response to the orientation week, he says he is “delighted with you first-year students”. — Gordon Guido Oswald, Executive Director of the Students’ Council, invites students to get involved in projects and committees. He reflects on the response to the orientation week and is “delighted with you first-year students”. The coronavirus pandemic has noticeably changed student life, and the current rise in costs is adding to the strain. Oswald continues: “It is important that we return to our shared campus life. … We wish you a good start, filled with fresh enthusiasm, and hope you settle into our new student community.”

Got off to a good start

Even before the formal induction ceremony, many of the activities organised as part of the orientation week helped students get their studies off to the best possible start: for example, campus tours, during which projects such as the TMM motorsport team, the university theatre and the campus festival were also presented, as well as guidance on the university library’s research resources, the ‘Study Start-up ABC’ and programme-specific advice from the faculties for their new students. In addition to the official programme, the Students’ Union organised both new and traditional social events. The freshers’ barbecue, for example, attracted around 700 people – more than ever before.

A regular feature – and always fresh and full of passion: the duo Janna from Ilmenau provide the musical accompaniment for Mittweida University of Applied Sciences’ matriculation and graduation ceremonies. — A regular guest – and always fresh and full of passion: the duo Janna from Ilmenau performs at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences’ matriculation and graduation ceremonies.

For students in the later semesters, the lecture term also began on 4 October – and the Mittweida campus is once again bustling with activity.

During a student’s degree programme, there are two or three years between this ceremony and the next one, which marks a decisive milestone. In the university’s academic calendar, however, it is just two weeks: on 20 October, the university bids farewell to the graduates of the previous summer term with the Graduation Ceremony (Feierliche Exmatrikulation).

More facts and figures

With 1,400 new enrolments, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is currently more than ten per cent ahead of last year’s figures for undergraduate on-campus degree programmes. When master’s programmes and extra occupational or distance-learning courses are included, the year-on-year growth is as high as almost 15 per cent. With 145 first-year students, the General and Digital Forensic Science programme tops the list, followed by Media Management with 95 and Media Informatics and Interactive Entertainment with 93. The Media Technology programme, which was only reintroduced last year, has also got off to a very good start with 76 enrolments. Other technical and engineering programmes at Mittweida have also bucked the trend and seen an increase in enrolments.

Of the 1,396 first-year students (as at 28 September), 592 are women (42 per cent) and 184 are international students (13 per cent) from 44 countries. In total, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences currently has 5,812 students, of whom 2,177 are women (around 38 per cent). 1,293 (20 per cent) are international students.