The Virtual University Information Day on 11.01. attracted almost 500 participants with a varied program.
When there are piles of cables lying around in the Celsiuz, monitors are set up, lots of busy people are walking around with headsets and the Co-Creation Lab in Zittau can generally be mistaken for a TV studio, then it's time for the online university information day again.
On 11 January, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences presented its wide range of courses to an equally wide audience via an online platform that allowed prospective students from afar to be there from start to finish, get first-hand information and help shape the program.
"The virtual version of our university information day is just right for prospective students, especially in winter with the corresponding temperatures and unpredictability such as rail strikes. They can get all the relevant information about our range of courses and life at the HSZG from the comfort of their own home and don't even have to leave the sofa," says presenter Victoria Hohlfeld with conviction.
"Maybe every now and then to get a drink," she says with a wink. Because this time it was pineapple, lamb's lettuce and celery that were the focus of the lunch break program in the platform lobby. Together with the Vice-Rector for Education and International Affairs, Prof. Sophia Keil, the presenter chopped the vitamin-rich ingredients and then turned them into delicious smoothies in a high-performance blender. The fact that the university is not only good for tips on healthy eating, but can really do something, became clear during the joint discussion. In a relaxed atmosphere, the Vice-Rector discussed what makes up the university of the future and how the students of the HSZG in particular are committed to shaping it by participating in various university formats. It is precisely this University-For-Future process that makes the HSZG so approachable for the students, both agreed, before toasting a successful lunch program with a pineapple-coconut smoothie.
At the end of the day, the Rector of the HSZG, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch, was satisfied: "In total, we were able to inform almost 500 visitors interested in studying about our offer, with an average stay of three hours." He took the whole day and supported the organizational team of the Public Relations department of the University Development and Communication Office in the background. Naturally, he also answered questions from presenter Victoria Hohlfeld and her co-moderator, A-level student Emil Ehrentraut, in a live talk.
He thanked the organization team and all lecturers, staff, students and external guests of the HSZG such as the Studentenwerk, the IBS Akademie and the Wohnbaugesellschaft Zittau, who were instrumental in the success of the event through their great commitment.
In eight virtual rooms, prospective students were able to choose freely from a wide range of topics and put together their own individual program. Course presentations, student sessions and taster lectures not only gave them an insight into the extensive range of courses offered by the university, but above all into the everyday life of our students. Active participation in discussions was possible at any time thanks to the innovative platform. Information stands and networking tables were set up to provide personal advice throughout the day. And for those who wanted to find out more about fundamental topics relating to studying, the range of workshops on study orientation was a great help.
The live supporting program in the "lobby" of the platform provided the HIT with a "roof" under which the extensive range of advisory services in the separate rooms and information stands found their place. Introductory presentations by Victoria Hohlfeld and Emil Ehrentraut, clips such as the video of the joint tree-planting campaign and the last exmatriculation ceremony and break-time talks with guests from the HSZG gave the HIT a professional and likeable overall appearance. This included above all the morning show with its many live guests and the lunch program with the Vice Rector. The new degree program "Sustainable Business Administration" was presented by the Dean Prof. Jörg Kroschel and in the afternoon there was a consultation hour for Czech and Polish students.
On March 23, 2024, both campuses of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences will host the University Information Day will take place in presence. Be there and get to know us in person!
Text: Cornelia Rothe
Photos: Martin Kunack
