Coordinator at Chemnitz University of Technology's International Office (IUZ). The program also aims to support sustainable travel, which is why the funding amount for using environmentally friendly means of transport such as trains or long-distance buses is higher than for non-sustainable travel.

In addition, students with children, students with disabilities (GdB from 20) or chronic illness, students from non-academic parents and, to a certain extent, working students for Erasmus+ stays have the opportunity to receive additional monthly funding of up to € 250 for their Erasmus+ stay.

"The new travel grant and the additional funding for fewer opportunities are great additions and extensions to the support provided by Erasmus+. This makes it easier for students to spend time abroad during their studies, even those who may not have previously planned such a stay for various personal reasons." Oliver Sachs is delighted with the increased funding opportunities.

Interested students can find all information on possible additional funding on the Erasmus+ website of the IUZ under “Funding” (https://mytuc.org/qtbh). You can also contact Oliver Sachs at the IUZ directly for personal advice.

Contact and further information: Oliver Sachs, phone: +49 (0)371/531-37972, E-Mail: oliver.sachs@iuz.tu-chemnitz.de

“Postponed is not abandoned – finally complete the course paper!” Headed by this slogan, the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers" happens again on March 6, 2025 at Chemnitz University of Technology. It starts at 03 pm at the University Library, Straße der Nationen 33. The participation is free of charges.

"Students of Chemnitz University of Technology, who would like to complete their course paper, and doctoral students, who want to proceed with the elaboration of their doctoral thesis, may expect a comprehensive program and lots of time for writing," Angela Malz, Director of the University Library, says. Thus, representatives of faculties and central institutions of Chemnitz University of Technology, of the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau as well as other offer a variety of workshops.

The "Long Night" will be opened by a presentation of Tina Horlitz from the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau dealing with the question “Have you ever thought about yourself?” which would like to provide hints and information on how to take care for oneself in challenging phases of studies in order to charge (new) energy and to stay high-performing. The presentation is followed by workshops dealing with the search for literature for the course paper resp. the doctoral thesis, with the management of literature sources and with ways to avoid frequent mistakes in LaTeX-manuscripts, held parallely in German and English, as well as on how to conduct appropriate surveys in the field of empirical social research. In addition, there will be again a workshop giving answers to the question "And what comes next? Entrepreneurship during and after studies". Furthermore, there are additional new workshop offers regarding “Legal questions about studying” and the working method of the “Digital note box”. Finally, there will be again an offer for exercise.

Moreover, there will be information booths until 09 pm at the foyer of the University Library, where participants may gather information regarding literature search, working methods, texting techniques, IT as well as social and psychological aspects of academic work. Specific questions of international students, regarding residence issues or related to learning German as a foreign language for instance, are answered as well.

A number of persons and institutions of Chemnitz University of Technology were involved in the organization of the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers". Among those are the University Library, the Student Council of Chemnitz University of Technology, the faculty student bodies, the University Computer Center, the Methodological Competence Center of the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Professorship of Intercultural Communication, the entrepreneurship network SAXEED, the International Office, the Foreign Language Center and the Central Course Guidance Service as well as the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau. 

Homepage of the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers": www.mytuc.org/landah   

Additional offers of Chemnitz University of Technology regarding "Academic Writing"

In addition to the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers", also other offers may be used for getting assistance in academic writing. To those belong:

• a course "Academic Writing" during the term on Thursdays from 11:30 am to 01:00 pm,
• an Academic Writing Week  from March 10 to 14, 2025, from 09:00 am to 12:15 pm respectively, and
• consultation hours for academic writing, held during the term on Tuesdays from 11:30 am to 01:00 pm.

The courses and consultation hours are offered by Dr. Burkhard Müller. Please register for participation at the Foreign Language Center of Chemnitz University of Technology.

Prof. Dr. Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer, Chair of English and Digital Linguistics at Chemnitz University of Technology, and Elisabeth Mayer from the Leibniz Computing Centre of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities have developed the novel VR adventure quiz app "Bridge of Knowledge VR" with their students. The modular app enables its users to experience an adventure while testing their knowledge on various topics such as general knowledge, mental arithmetic, linguistics, archaeology, English idioms or French prepositions. "This is an ideal way of studying for the upcoming exams in an entertaining way. But you can also use the app to learn new things," says Sanchez-Stockhammer.

The goal of "Bridge of Knowledge VR" is to cross a suspension bridge in the jungle by answering ten multiple-choice questions in a row correctly. Inside the app, gaze control is used to select the bridge planks with the correct answers. If the right answer is selected, users move forward on the bridge. "We wanted to add some thrills to learning," says Sanchez-Stockhammer. "So if the answer is wrong, users experience a free fall – but this stops before the ground and is actually fun. There is also a fear-of-heights mode for those who prefer to cross a gently flowing river rather than a gorge." After game over, the correct answer is displayed and the users can start again from the beginning. Completing one level takes about ten minutes.

The app is free to download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. "Apart from an inexpensive VR viewer – made of cardboard, for example – you don't need any additional hardware to play the game," Mayer explains another advantage of the app. "This means that anyone can learn interactively from their home. Our game is ideal for getting to know virtual reality while testing and expanding your own knowledge."

Thanks to the modular structure of the app, new levels can be added to the game via a server very easily. Teachers only need to enter 10 to 80 questions with the correct and incorrect answers into an Excel spreadsheet that can be downloaded from the accompanying website.

For more information on the app Bridge of Knowledge VR, please visit www.bridgevr.de.

For any questions regarding the app, please get in touch with Prof. Dr. Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer, tel. +49 (0)371 531-32444, email christina.sanchez@phil.tu-chemnitz.de.

The German Accreditation Council, a joint institution of all German federal states, has approved the accreditation of the quality management system of Chemnitz University of Technology with only a few conditions. This was done in a preliminary decision dated June 10, 2022. This means: Bachelor's and Master's degree programs at Chemnitz University of Technology can thus be independently accredited by the university in internal procedures. Every study program that has successfully passed through the study success management system of Chemnitz University of Technology will in the future bear the coveted quality seal of the German Accreditation Council. Graduates of the university as well as their future employers can thus be sure that the studies at Chemnitz University of Technology meet high quality standards. The resolution marks the end of the expansion and restructuring of the quality management system for teaching and studies into a study success management system, which Chemnitz University of Technology initiated in 2017.

In order to obtain the right to self-accreditation, Chemnitz University of Technology has had its study success management system evaluated in the past two years as part of a system accreditation procedure. In this process, an external accreditation agency did not assess individual study programs to be accredited (program accreditation), but the entire study success management system. After two two-day inspections, the international panel of experts from science and industry as well as a student representative gave both Chemnitz University of Technology and its study success management system a very positive rating: "The experts consider Chemnitz to be a committed university that acts in a dynamic, agile and forward-looking manner," the report states. Chemnitz University of Technology also received much praise for the annual student survey TUCpanel: "The TUCpanel can be highlighted as another strength. Such an extensive survey of students, carried out at great expense, is not something that can be taken for granted and is a real plus for Chemnitz University of Technology."

"Study programs with a quality seal document the excellence of Chemnitz University of Technology in teaching and studying," says the president Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier and adds: "The development of our study success management system has been a university-wide effort over the last five years. I would like to thank all those involved wholeheartedly for their intensive, constructive and painstaking collaboration, which has now been rewarded. The TUC family can be proud of itself!" "The positive vote of the Accreditation Council is a special milestone in the quality development of our study programs," explains the Vice President for Academic and International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Maximilian Eibl, and continues, "We are on the right track: 16 study programs have already successfully passed the internal accreditation procedures and new ones are added every month."

The study success management system of Chemnitz University of Technology serves to ensure the quality of the study programs and to provide stimuli for their further development. Students, teachers and employees of the University Administration as well as the Center for Knowledge and Technology Transfer as providers of the continuing education programs of Chemnitz University of Technology will continue to work closely together in the study success management system in order to, among other things, exchange experiences in teaching and studying, conduct internal university student surveys and initiate measures for the qualitative further development of the study programs of Chemnitz University of Technology.

Further information on system accreditation and the study success management system of Chemnitz University of Technology: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/lehre

With the free and digital german learning platform textil trainer, on which basic textile knowledge is presented in a clear and understandable way, the Professorship of Textile Technologies (Head: Prof. Dr. Holger Cebulla) at Chemnitz University of Technology and chemmedia AG are taking action against the shortage of skilled workers in Saxony. In this joint project, they support the Saxon textile industry in the education and training of future employees and also secure knowledge for the future.

Practical educational content is now also being developed by the student initiative Fortis Saxonia e. V. This team has been developing energy-saving vehicles at Chemnitz University of Technology since 2006 and thus has a 15-year wealth of experience. "Our chassis consists entirely of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, i.e. material with a proportion of plastic and a proportion of carbon fiber. This is what is colloquially known as carbon," explains Nico Bohn of Fortis Saxonia. "These so-called composites enable us to develop particularly lightweight and thus energy-efficient vehicles. This overlaps with the research area of the Textile Technologies Professorship, so the cooperation came about some time ago," Marc Fleischmann describes further. He used to be a member of the team himself and is now a research assistant at the Chair of Textile Technologies.

As a result of the cooperation, the new course "Composites - fiber-reinforced plastics" is now available on the portal my.textil-trainer.de. The course describes how a car door can be built from composites. This is explained using the example of the UrbanSax vehicle, which was developed by Fortis Saxonia in 2019. "We design our courses to be practical, preferring to use examples from the region to show their potential. The cooperation with Fortis Saxonia shows that good things are often so close at hand. We can use their example to explain to our learners how a fabric becomes a car door", says Anna Lanfermann, research associate in the Sustainable Textiles and Digital Education research area at the Textile Technologies Chair and textil trainer project manager.

"The textil trainer is also helpful for our team", explains Bohn. "At Fortis Saxonia, students from different disciplines come together. This is exactly where the textil trainer comes in. Through the comprehensibly prepared courses, this interdisciplinary team also gets access to the subject to those who do not receive it through their studies. This is particularly helpful for our members who are studying a subject outside mechanical engineering, for example in the fields of public relations and electrical engineering", Bohn continues.

The my.textil-trainer.de knowledge platform, which has been available online free of charge since the end of 2020, is enjoying growing popularity. Currently, more than 900 people are registered. "Almost every day, new people register in the platform and post positive feedback", says Lanfermann.

Project homepage: https://textil-trainer.de

Contact: Patrick Winzer, Chair of Textile Technologies, E-mail: textil-trainer@mb.tu-chemnitz.de

(Author: Mario Steinebach / Translation: Chelsea Burris)

The newly redesigned landing page of the “Studying in Chemnitz” information portal (www.studium-in-chemnitz.de) is online. The portal is intended to help secondary school students and others interested in studying at Chemnitz University of Technology find more information about their path to enrollment and selecting the right course of studies. The site also offers support to new university students as they begin their academic career at the uni as well as additional information and tips on other relevant topics in a clearly marked and organized format. Such categories include “Find your bearings and make your choice”, “Apply”, “Get started and settle in”, “Join in, sign up and learn for life,” and “Take your next steps”.

Find the Answers to Your Questions

Each of these five categories are introduced by Chemnitz University students. Susanne Martin is the “central” face of “Studying in Chemnitz”. The student of European Studies with distinctive red hair is glad that she can help future students find their path to success at the university: “When I was beginning my studies, I wished I had had something like this. I think the design turned out really nice and the website is structured in a logical way. I especially like that it features cultural opportunities in the city, life in Chemnitz and the time after you finish your studies,” said Martin.

Tobias Bauer, Director of the Central Course Guidance Service, also voiced his praise for the new website: “We are pleased to say that the new landing page is an excellent addition to the information and advisory services that have thus far been available to future, new and current students.” Particularly in the orientation phase, it is important for students to ask themselves many questions: Is studying the right choice for me? What course of studies suits me best? Is Chemnitz the right choice of location for my academic career? “The landing page deliberately poses these questions and refers readers to the answers that Chemnitz University has prepared. The linked pages are written with our audience in mind,” concludes Bauer.

Feedback Appreciated

Over the new few weeks, additional videos will be produced and photos will be added. The TU4U Project Team welcomes feedback and responses to the landing page. Comments can be emailed to tu4u@tu-chemnitz.de. “Here you can also pose questions that have not been answered yet on our website,” said TU4U Project Coordinator Dr. Maria Worf.

More information is available from Dr. Maria Worf, Tel: 0049 371 531-36785, E-mail: maria.worf@hrz.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Translation: Sarah Wilson)

A double degree program for the master’s course “Gesundheits- und Fitnesssport” (recreational and fitness sport) at Chemnitz University of Technology in cooperation with the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (UWB) will launch in the winter semester 2017/18. This means that students from Chemnitz can study their 3^rd semester in Pilsen and vice versa. No additional study fees will occur. The final master thesis can be either written at the home university or at the partner university. The language requirements for German students is B2 level in English. Language requirement for Czech students is B2 level in German. The lectures at Chemnitz University are held in German and at UWB in Czech and English, but are also offered for German students in German and English.

“Students of the double degree program obtain international experience and knowledge which prospectively contribute to an active and successful occupation in the field of health promotion when dealing with other cultures and mindsets”, says Prof. Henry Schulz from the Institute of Human Movement Science and Health at Chemnitz University of Technology. “The acquired competencies will help the graduates to become influential contact persons for international operating companies and institutions of the healthcare sector”, adds Mgr. Vaclav Salcman of the Faculty of Education at University West Bohemia. Both universities already cooperate for many years in the course of research projects regarding health-related subjects.

Evidence-based, movement-based contents of prevention and healthcare for children, young adults, adults, and seniors is conveyed in this transnational double degree program. This program is previously unique in Saxony as well as in the Czech Republic and is aimed at bachelor graduates of sport science study programs. Amongst those is also the bachelor program Sports Science for Preventative Exercise, Rehabilitation and Fitness at Chemnitz University. Specific subjects regarding sport and movement in the working world are taught in the double degree study program. This includes, for example, the role of workplace health promotion, exercise measures at the work place, possibilities of employee motivation through sport, or movement in the framework of work life balance. “The study program also considers developments within the society in which a growing confrontation of medialization and physical inactivity stands against an increase of fitness, sport, adventure, and a growing consciousness of health-related topics”, says Schulz.

In the future, career prospects for graduates in both countries in the field of prevention and healthcare promotion are expected especially in fields in which new trend sports, forms of exercise, as well as trainings and movement technologies are introduced to various target groups. “The geographical proximity makes the study program attractive as aside from the scientific education in fitness sport experience-oriented outdoor recreation can be taught with practical orientation”, ensures Mgr. Salcman. The Czech partner has a great expertise in this field. Students of the double degree program can exchange their experiences and gather new ones. Workshops, summer schools, transnational projects, research proposals, as well as staff exchange will be put into practice. “The linguistic and intercultural experience will support the students in the development of their own cult of personality”, reckons Schulz.

Contact: Prof. Henry Schulz, Institute of Human Movement Science and Health at Chemnitz University of Technology, phone +49 371 531 31315, email henry.schulz@hsw.tu-chemnitz.de as well as the Department of Physical Education und Sport Science of the Faculty of Education at University West Bohemia in Pilsen, Mgr. Vaclav Salcman, PhD phone 0042 377636438, email salcman@ktv.zcu.cz

The semester break is rung in, the last exams written, and the sun invites to swim or hike –only if there wouldn’t still be a term paper or final paper to write. Especially in the well-deserved semester break it is hard to sit at your desk. Therefore, as a part of the teaching quality pact the project team “TU4U” and the university library organized the writing week to enhance students’ motivation and to simplify the work overall.

For five days, the fifth floor of the university library I is transformed into a writing workshop. Writing, counselling, and break rooms with a small buffet are available for the participants and can be used by the writers as needed. No matter if writing in a group, get consultation by writing counsellors, or individually enjoying the atmosphere of the writing workshop is up to anyone in his or her own means. This includes the voluntary participation on the writing workshops. Aside from an introduction to the scientific language, the presentation of different writing methods, workshops on reference management with Zotero, time management during the writing process, and presentations of the written results, the workshop shall also provide impetus on academic writing. Every day starts with a workshop. Afterwards or already parallelly can be worked on the individual writing projects. Writing counsellors are constantly available and can support in various stages of the work such as topic finding, structural organization, or the writing itself.

“Already the first editions of the writing week in the previous semesters showed that writing together increases motivation and perseverance. Thus, the participants can focus on their project intensively for one week and can enjoy the rest of the summer without their project lingering in the back of their heads”, says Sara Rodefeld of the “TU4U” team.

Contact: Sara Rodefeld, phone +49 371 531 39187, email sara.rodefeld@phil.tu-chemnitz.de

The researchers’ focus of the graduate college “CrossWorlds” at Chemnitz University of Technology is also aimed at learning with digital media.

As learning is a continuous process through life it should be supported at any age. But it seems that different age groups have also different requirements and needs of digital learning media. Maria Wirzberger, Professorship of Psychology of Learning with Digital Media, René Schmidt, Professorship of Computer Engineering, and Maria Barlag, Professorship of Computer Graphics and Visualization, are currently working on this question. Together they developed a voice controlled, computer-based memory training – for senior citizens in particular. Whether the prototype will achieve the results aimed for will show a test series.

For this purpose, participants with German as mother tongue (or similar German language skills) and good visual, hearing, and speaking capacities are wanted who agree to test the technology. As the program is voice controlled, computer skills are not mandatory. The appointments will take place from July 24^th until August 26, 2017, at Chemnitz University at the university site Straße der Nationen 62. Duration of the participation is once a single hour and is compensated with 5€. Interested persons are asked to call +49 371 531 30222 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. till 5 p.m.) or to make an appointment via email to Alexandra.haessler@phil.tu-chemnitz.de .

Key word: Graduate College “CrossWorlds”

The by the German Research Association funded graduate college “CrossWorlds” is since 2012 established at Chemnitz University of Technology. The college is an interdisciplinary research group with researchers from subsections of computer engineering, psychology, and media communication working on the coupling of virtual and real social worlds through innovative technologies. The focus lies on the increasing digitalization of interpersonal interaction and its action area with the aim to develop possibilities that are not available in real communication. The kind and degree of digitalization play an important role as they influence the quality of interaction as well as showing restrictions that have to be analyzed and overcome. (http://crossworlds.info)

The application of the “Industry 4.0” technologies and digitalization applications require to take a look at the respective legal framework. Many questions arise such as “Who owns the data?”, “How does the data protection regulation affect the data protection law?” or “Will the labor law become the labor law 4.0?” The “Wissensbox Recht 4.0” (Knowledge Box Law 4.0) is a fixed component of the homepage of the Mittelstand 4.0 competence center Chemnitz since the beginning of March 2017. Thus, the legal framework relating to digitalization acquired a platform: The “Wissensbox Recht 4.0” takes up on questions regarding the subject of digitalization and law as well as on events taking place in the Mittelstand 4.0 competence center Chemnitz.

The information pool “Literature & Legislation” is a major component providing selected literature and legal regulations. “Specific questions are taken from different legal topics and are concisely stated and sicussed within a jurisprudential contribution”, says Prof. Dagmar Gesmann-Nuissl, Owner of the Chair of Private Law and Intellectual Property Rights at the Chemnitz University of Technology. This is supplemented by the uncomplicated access to the respective relevant legislations. Additionally, information about current jurisdiction is contained by summarizing the main points for daily business. In the course of “Interactive Contents” the topics are completed by illustrated pictorial short information.

In order to coordinate the topics with regard to the needs of the entrepreneurs, the “Mittelstand 4.0 center of excellence Chemnitz” offers the possibility to submit questions and requests via the “Questions & Answers” template. The resulting questions will then be included into the range of topics of the “Wissensbox Recht 4.0” and will further be composed in a clearly arranged FAQ-catalogue providing a fast information option for everyone.

About Mittelstand 4.0 – digital production and operating processes

In the course of the funding priority “Mittelstand-Digital – Strategien zur digitalen Transformation der Unternehmensprozesse“ by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) the support initiative “Mittelstand 4.0 – Digitale Produktions- und Arbeitsprozesse” nationally promotes Mittelstand 4.0 centers of excellence, one competence center for digital handicraft, and four Mittelstand 4.0 agencies. The funding priority provides guidance for companies in the intelligent application of modern information and communication technologies (IKT) in order to strengthen their competitiveness. “Mittelstand Digital” consists of the support initiatives “Mittelstand 4.0 – digital production and operating processes”, “eStandards: Geschäftsprozesse standadisieren, Erfolg sichern” and “Einfach intuitiv – Usability für den Mittelstand”.

The transfer project is jointly implemented by five consortium partners: The Chemnitz University of Technology with the leading Institute for Management and Factory Systems and its two professorships Factory Planning and Factory Management, Ergonomics and Innovation Management, and the Professorship Private Law and Intellectual Property Rights; the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU); the ICM – Institut Chemnitzer Maschinen- und Anlagebau e.V., the TUCed – An-Institute für Transfer und Weiterbildung GmbH with the division Chemnitz Automotive Institute (CATI), as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Chemnitz.

Further information are available from Kathrin Nitsche, research associate of the professorship Private Law and Intellectual Property Rights at the Chemnitz University of Technology, phone +49 371 531 30306, email kathrin.nitsche@betrieb-machen.de

Since August 2016, inclusion assistants have been working in selected schools of all levels in Saxony. They provide support to teachers in combined learning environments for children with and without disabilities, and assist with learning and integration processes both within and outside of the classroom environment. Around 51 million euros drawn from the European Social Fund and federal resources have been made available for the employment of around 180 inclusion assistants through the 2020/2021 academic year. The goal is to provide additional long term support to inclusion processes in schools.

The Saxon inclusion project will receive scientific support from the Professorship of General Psychology and Biopsychology over the entire duration. “We are studying the education processes in practice and are also creating a platform for a Saxony-wide exchange between all inclusion assistants, their sponsors, the Saxon State Ministry of Education and Culture and the TU Chemnitz research team,” explains Prof. Dr. Udo Rudolph, Professor of General Psychology and Biopsychology. The research proposal makes an important contribution to the quality management of the comprehensive “Inclusion Assistant” project.

The Chemnitz-based psychologists will constantly analyze all of the project’s processes. “We are also observing the individual developments of the students who are learning in these inclusive settings,” says project director Dr. Andreas David. The central focus here is on the socio-emotional competencies of the students receiving direct support from the program. In addition, their academic performance, learning behaviors and attitudes toward learning will be assessed. “Besides that, the satisfaction of everyone involved in this project is an essential prerequisite for its success,” continues project team member Stefan Uhlig. “In order to draw reliable conclusions about all of the processes and developments over the course of the project, these factors will be analyzed by both quantitative and qualitative research methods” assures Prof. Rudolph.

By remaining in close contact with those involved, the researchers hope to initiate continuous improvement processes. Regular conferences and meetings are planned to facilitate the sharing of experiences, which in turn will create a transparent knowledge base that is as broad as possible. All program components are coordinated at the TU Chemnitz via an online platform. This is available to the participants throughout the entire course of the program, and serves as a central communication and information platform. “The result of our scientific monitoring will be the development of a competency model for inclusion assistants,” says the TU Chemnitz psychology professor. He continues: “As a result, an expert network on inclusion in Saxony’s schools will be established at the TU Chemnitz.”

The project will also incorporate the professorship’s many years of research as well as practical and transfer experience regarding integrative learning, supporting children’s emotional and social development, supporting children with unique behavioral or performance-related needs and inclusion in schools. The five-year research project at the TU Chemnitz will receive around 586,000 euros in funding from the European Social Fund and from federal resources.

Project homepage (in German): https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/hsw/psychologie/professuren/allpsy2/Inklusionsassistent/Forschung_Inklusionsassistent.php

More information is available from Prof. Dr. Udo Rudolph, Telephone +49 371 531-36394, E-Mail udo.rudolph@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de, as well as from Dr. Andreas David, Telephone +49 371 531-37357, E-Mail andreas.david@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de.

The semester break has officially begun, the last exams are completed and the sun is tempting everyone to visit the pool or go on a hike – if only there weren’t homework, papers and final theses left to write. It can be difficult for students to sit at their desks and work on these projects during their well-earned summer break. The “TU4U” project team, which receives funding through the Quality Pact for Teaching, and the University Library have jointly organized a Writing Week in order to enhance students’ motivation and lighten some of the workload.

For five days, the fifth floor of the Campus Library I will be transformed into a writing workshop. Rooms equipped for writing, getting consultation and taking breaks will be available for participants. The break rooms will even be set up with small buffets. Guests are free to decide if they prefer to write in groups, with assistance from writing advisors or would rather enjoy the atmosphere of the writing workshop on their own. Additionally, each participant can choose to take part in workshops centered around writing. Along with an introduction to scientific writing and to various methods of writing, workshops will be offered on the topics of reference management with Zotero, time management during the writing process and presentation of written works. These offerings, held only in German, are intended to bring new momentum to students’ scientific writing projects. Each day will begin with a workshop. Following this, or parallel to it, work on writing projects can begin. Writing advisors will be available during the entire process and will provide support for various phases of work, whether that be finding a topic, creating structure or writing itself.

“As we saw during the first Writing Week that we held last semester, writing together as a group increases motivation and endurance. Some of the people who make good use of this week will be able to enjoy the rest of the summer without having their writing projects in the back of their minds,” says Sara Rodefeld of the “TU4U”-Team.

More information (in German): https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/landah

Contact: Sara Rodefeld, Telephone 0371 531-39187, E-Mail sara.rodefeld@phil.tu-chemnitz.de

(Translation: Sarah Wilson)

In cooperation with the University of Jordan, the Technische Universität Chemnitz will hold the first “NANO-TECH” Summer School. From September 25 through October 1, Master’s students and doctoral candidates from Jordan as well as Chemnitz will attend the one-week-long course program at the TU Chemnitz. Afterwards, they will continue in Amman, Jordan from October 8-13. The primary aim of the German-Arabic summer school is the training and continuing education of the approximately 20 nanoscience students, with particular focus on the underlying physical and chemical laws and relationships. Scientists and young researchers from various disciplines will be brought together to enable future interdisciplinary and international cooperation among the natural sciences of physics, chemistry, engineering and material sciences. Great importance is attributed to the close connection between theoretical and practice-oriented research.

Research in nanoscience occupies one of the top positions in the scientific landscape. The core competencies of the TU’s Faculty of Natural Sciences, with its two Institutes of Physics and Chemistry, include research on “Smart Systems and Materials” with special focus on nanoscience. “Through the participation of three of the TU’s faculties as well as the participation of the natural science divisions of the University of Jordan, not only the transdisciplinarity of the subject matter is emphasized, but also the internationality of the summer school,” explains Prof. Heinrich Lang, Vice-Rector for Research and Promotion of Young Scientists at the TU Chemnitz and also the program’s initiator. The summer school’s scientific program aims to strengthen the focus area of nanoscience in the Arabic world. Through various lectures, participants of the summer school will receive an overview of diverse kinds of nanostructures, their creation, analysis as well as their application potential. All seven participating German lecturers are proven scientists with autonomous research fields and profiles in the world of nanotechnology, who successfully work together on a multidisciplinary level at the TU Chemnitz. As a special highlight, chemist Dr. Andrea Mayer-Figge from the Ministry of Labour, Integration and Social Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia will also speak at the summer school. In addition, doctoral candidates from the TU Chemnitz and from Amman will present the results of their doctoral work in a short presentation about their area of research. “Nanoscience is an innovative field which has historically been only marginally appreciated in the Arabic world. The aim of this summer school is to enable young researchers from that region to gain valuable experience dealing with the most up-to-date topics and then subsequently apply this knowledge scientifically on the international stage,” emphasizes Lang.

The two-part summer school’s subject matter will focus on the fields of synthesis, analysis and theory of nanomaterials in nanotechnology as well as the demonstration of various different potential applications. General, comprehensive topics in nanotechnology will be dealt with during the five-day event held at the university in Chemnitz, in order to create a knowledge base for all involved. At the same time, participants will have the opportunity to complete internships in the university’s laboratories and expand upon their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. The scientific program will be supplemented with excursions to selected industrial operations in the economic region of Chemnitz. When the summer school continues at the university in Jordan, the subject matters that were previously covered in Germany will be discussed and evaluated in-depth by means of lectures and seminars.

Following the conclusion of the summer school, the three best participants will be invited to the TU Chemnitz for two months in order to apply their newly-acquired knowledge and skills in the university’s excellently equipped laboratories. Under direct supervision and guidance, the young Arabic researchers will be able to research various aspects of the innovative field of nanotechnology and simultaneously establish international scientific connections.

(Author: Katharina Preuß, Translation: Sarah Wilson)

“The topic of big data has evolved greatly in recent years and is gaining importance every day – in all areas which use digital media. The increasing digitalization in business and society generates enormous amounts of data, which must then be evaluated. We learn skills for the collection, processing and analysis of data for decision support in diverse contexts and thus act as the interface between business administrations scientists and computer scientists“, explains Lena Schirmer, student of the Master’s program in Business Intelligence & Analytics. Since October 2014, the 25-year-old studies at the TU Chemnitz. Previously she completed a dual degree in Business Administration and Economics along with Informatics and Business Administration at the Berufsakademie Dresden. With an example, she makes it clear what kind of concrete applications the knowledge she acquired can have in a later career setting: ”Which airports are served at this moment and what difficulties may arise through delays? Which machines must be redirected in order to avoid accidents and to ensure a smooth flow of air traffic? In this field of study it is always a question of evaluating collected data in a company- or product-related way.“

The Master’s program in Business Intelligence & Analytics was integrated into the Faculty for Economics and Business Administration in the winter semester 2014/15, and it is in this way unique in Germany. For this broad range of courses, the Technische Universität Chemnitz and the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg are in cooperation in order to pool the expertise of both universities and deliver highly up-to-date and pressing economic topics such as Big Data, E-Business and IT Project Management. Education takes place at the TU Chemnitz in small groups in dedicated computer pools and the newly oriented Big Data lab. “We are about ten students and have many practical exercises in very well technically-equipped premises. That way, good supervision and support from the professors and lecturers can be ensured“, says Schirmer. Martin Kammerer, her fellow student adds: “Communication is really important to our professors. We are encouraged to evaluate all coursework and make suggestions for improvement. This enables us to actively affect how our seminars are designed. In addition, some courses are offered in English, so it is equally possible for international students to study this Master’s program.“ Kammerer comes from Oberpfalz and has previously completed a Bachelor at the University of Bayreuth in English Studies with Applied Computer Science. During an internship, he deepened his knowledge in Computer Science and decided to concentrate entirely on information technology content during his Master’s studies. “I had the goal to become a specialist. The Master’s program in Business Intelligence & Analytics is new and exciting. It combines classical themes with innovation and offers us students the chance to enjoy a very particular kind of education. Because of this, we are ready to occupy technical and leadership positions in companies where data is a resource critical to entrepreneurship and creating value“, said the 26-year-old.

For quite some time, the profile of the so-called data scientist has been in high demand from the industry. Graduates of the Master’s program in Business Intelligence & Analytics have command of key competencies for consulting and managerial posts in IT projects and cross-functional projects in the Business Intelligence and Business Analytics fields. The constantly growing importance of these issues in enterprises and public administrations leads to a huge demand for specialized graduates. Stefan Bochmann, also a student of the Master’s program in Business Intelligence & Analytics is aware of this: “Industry 4.0 has become an important factor for the industrial location of Germany. We have been trained specifically as experts for data management, processing and analysis. After graduation, I want to work in the field of Computer Science for Business Administration in a practical way and improve implementation for users in various ways.“ The 27-year-old comes from a suburb of Chemnitz and previously studied Media Technology at the HTWK in Leipzig. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, Stefan Bochmann wanted to stay in the region to deepen his expertise in Computer Science for Business Administration. “Chemnitz is a really nice university and industry location at the same time“, he says and adds: “Because of the size, it is easy to access all university sites.“ Schirmer also is enthusiastic about the campus of the TU Chemnitz: “The campus is large and offers many opportunities for activities to do in your free time. In the summer, I love to simply relax on the lawn in front of the Mensa between classes and observe people. A great deal has happened on campus in recent years, making it a real feel-good oasis.“

Further information on the degree program at: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/wirtschaftsinformatik/interessierte/master/master-bia/

(Author: Katharina Preuß, Translation: Nataliia Boiko & Sarah Wilson)

In the 2015/16 winter semester, the bilingual dual-degree Master program will begin at the Institute for European History at the Technische Universität Chemnitz. It is supported jointly by the TU Chemnitz and the Uniwersytet Wroclawski in Breslau and allows students to acquire the “Master of Arts” in European History at the TU Chemnitz and the “Magister Nauk Humanistycznych” in History at the Uniwersytet Wroclawski. This degree programme is unique in Germany and is a contribution to the networking and integration of Europe, as it introduces students to a transnational scientific education as well as allows glimpses into the language, culture, and regional studies of the neighbouring country.

Students complete the first semester at their home university in Chemnitz or Breslau, then continue the second through fourth semester of their education at the partner university. The students’ final thesis project can be written at their home or partner university in German or Polish. In order to be able to succeed in lectures and academic performance, predominantly offered in the native language of each country, language proficiency in German or Polish, respectively, is required at a level of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The bilingual and transcultural education prepares graduates as well as possible for an occupation with international projects, German-Polish foundations or European administrations as well as in the field of language and cultural exchange. Furthermore, the opportunity exists for the humanities scholars to apply their knowledge in museums, exhibitions, archives, educational institutions as well as print and tele media in both countries.

Interested students at the TU Chemnitz should contact Prof. Dr. Rudolf Boch and Dr. Yaman Kouli from the Institute for European History at the Faculty of Humanities. You can find further information about content and organisation under www.tu-chemnitz.de/phil/geschichte/studium_master_breslau.php.

(Translation: Sarah Wilson)