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A large foyer. A few people are standing in a queue. The first woman in the queue is standing in front of a table in the foreground. Opposite her, on the other side of the table, stands another woman. Both are leaning over some documents on the table.

Start of studies on World Happiness Day

First day for new students at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, featuring an enrolment ceremony and plenty of information

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

It was a bit like the first day of school, only without parents or a goody bag, but new and exciting. For 180 students at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, a new chapter in their lives began on 20 March with the start of lectures for the summer term. 112 of them are set to embark on a three-year full-time degree or a four-year extra occupational degree in Social Work. Alongside numerous international students, they helped shape the atmosphere and programme of the enrolment ceremony held that morning in the Peter Schütt Lecture Theatre at the Centre for Media and Social Work. Professor Peter Schütt (1944–2013) was one of the founding professors of the university’s Faculty of Social Sciences, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2023.

A woman is standing at a lectern, holding a microphone in her right hand, in front of a roll-up banner on which the terms ‘Technology’, ‘Media’ and ‘Management’, amongst others, can be seen. Other terms are partially obscured by the woman.
Professor Isolde Heintze, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, uses the story of Simba and his companions in *The Lion King* to describe the roles of Social Work practitioners, such as highlighting resistance, taking a stand and offering support.

From a happy beginning to a happy ending

Through this ceremony, the faculties, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences and the university town of Mittweida demonstrate that enrolment is more than just an administrative formality. Professor Isolde Heintze, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, set the tone for her ‘freshers’ as they embarked on this new chapter in their lives: ‘Enrolment is like the start of a new story,’ she said. “Good stories often feature heroes or heroines who are confronted with a conflict. As the story unfolds, they encounter people who help them, imparting skills, encouraging them to follow a calling, to regain control of their lives – and, in the end, even to save the world.”

When it comes to career aspirations, it’s not always about the whole world straight away – but, as Dean Heintze puts it, social workers are helpers who offer advice and practical support, who encourage, highlight obstacles, take a stand and help people to take control of their own lives. Conversely, for first-year students in Social Work, starting their degree now also means taking personal responsibility for ensuring their studies are a success. “Then we – the lecturers and staff at the university – are the helpers who will accompany you on your journey.”

A woman is standing in front of a blackboard, holding a microphone in her right hand. She is looking up towards the audience, who are not visible.
Protestant student chaplain Nina-Maria Mixtacki said: “I’m delighted to see you here today, and that there are so many people who want to shape their careers around being there for others … There’s a great deal for you to do in the future.”
A man is standing at a desk in front of a blackboard, his hands clasped. In the background of the picture is a roll-up banner featuring the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences logo and the terms ‘Technology’, ‘Social Sciences’, ‘Media’, ‘Computer Science’, ‘Management’ and ‘Natural Sciences’.
Mayor Ralf Schreiber praises the benefits of studying in this small university town: “You’ll find the perfect study environment in Mittweida.”
A view from the back of a packed lecture theatre. At the back of the lecture theatre, in the background of the picture, a man is standing at a lectern; behind him is a roll-up banner featuring the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences logo and the terms ‘Technology’, ‘Social Sciences’, ‘Media’, ‘Computer Science’, ‘Management’ and ‘Natural Sciences’.
Gordon Guido Oswald, Managing Director of the university’s Students’ Council, invites his new fellow students to get involved in committees and projects: “I welcome you to a unique and diverse campus family, characterised by a sense of community, solidarity and mutual support.”
A view from the back of the packed lecture theatre. At the far end, a man stands at a lectern in front of a roll-up banner, holding a microphone in his left hand; the banner features the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences logo and the terms ‘Technology’, ‘Social Sciences’, ‘Media’, ‘Computer Science’, ‘Management’ and ‘Natural Sciences’.
Vice-Chancellor Volker Tolkmitt quoted Seneca: “Happiness is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” He then symbolically enrolled, on behalf of all new students, those among them who had celebrated their birthdays in the past few days, calling them by name.
A side view of the packed lecture theatre. On the left, a man is standing at a lectern, addressing the audience.
The Vice-Chancellor said solemnly: “I hereby enrol you in the community of lecturers and teachers, in the community of researchers, and in the community of administrative and technical staff who make teaching and research possible. I hereby enrol you in the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences community.”
An A5 leaflet entitled ‘Ersti-Hilfe’ is lying on the folding table of a row of seats in a lecture theatre.
This is no longer required shortly after starting your studies at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences.

Social Work: Men are in the minority

For the summer term, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences enrols first-year students on the Bachelor’s degree programme in Social Work, but only in a few other degree programmes. In the vast majority of degree programmes, studies always begin in the winter term. Unsurprisingly, women make up the majority of new Social Work students: only 22 per cent of those on the six-semester full-time programme are men. Even on the eight-semester extra occupational programme, their proportion is just 35 per cent. Unlike in previous years, the oldest ‘freshers’ – aged 62 – is not a Social Work student, but is studying for a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering – Automation. With all the new students, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences has a total of 5,247 students at the start of the summer semester. For the first-year Social Work students, the enrolment ceremony was followed by campus tours and introductory sessions at the Centre for Media and Social Work.