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There is no planet B – the study courses at the TUM campus Straubing are important to help preserve the earth, explained Prof. Dr. Cordt Zollfrank. (Image: SRT)

First semester welcome at the TUM-Campus Straubing – Approximately 190 new students

Straubinger Tagblatt, 15.10.2019

“Change in itself is not a bad thing, but it must be sustainable. And you can help,” said Prof. Dr. Volker Sieber, Rector of the TUM Campus Straubing, to the 190 or so new students. On Monday she officially began her studies with the first semester welcome.

Above all, however, the students often heard this morning that it was their task to get involved. “There are several points of view on every topic,” explained Sieber. Students are therefore called upon to work and think in an interdisciplinary manner and to pass on their knowledge after their studies. “Be courageous and never be discouraged,” he said to the young men and women. “We look forward to seeing you.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Cordt Zollfrank, Dean of Studies at the campus, received an emergency call: “Straubing, we have a problem.” The problem: the earth and society are facing major challenges such as climate change, the extinction of species and plastic waste. Therefore, new economic concepts are needed. “And that’s what happens here, in research and teaching,” Prof. Zollfrank drew a bow to the first semesters. After their studies, the new specialists would then be needed, among other things, as managers and opinion leaders. “Society has given you a job.” And apparently, Prof. Zollfrank continues, the students see the necessity that something has to be done by choosing their course of studies. Then it may soon be: “Straubing, we had a problem” – problem solved.

Making friends and listening to the professors

After these motivating words a master graduate of the TUM-Campus Straubing told about his experiences during his studies and his semester abroad in Switzerland. He appealed to the freshmen to take the opportunity and spend time abroad. But he also had some important advice for studying in Straubing: finding friends who professors listen to (“They really know better than you!”), but also enjoying the student time. “And, even if I needed something to understand that myself: Everything you learn here is important!

Good advice also for 19-year-old Valentin Ruhs. He has chosen the bachelor’s programme “Renewable Resources”. “I’ve always been interested in science and sustainability,” he said on Monday. Probably also due to the high media coverage of climate change and environmental pollution, he added. It was important for him to study at the Technical University of Munich, “because it is one of the most renowned universities in Germany and beyond. Following his interests, he was “almost forced to study in Straubing,” he said laughing. “But when I looked at Straubing, I also liked it very much.” During the first semester welcome he was also enthusiastic about the cordiality of the professors and staff. “In general, I like the very personal contact with the lecturers,” said Ruhs.

This was followed by a guided tour of the campus for the individual study courses as well as information on the course of studies. In the afternoon, the student council organized a city tour so that the students, most of whom come from outside Straubing, could find their way around. And so that the advice of the graduate could be heeded immediately, the young men and women met in the evening still for a beer and explored the Straubinger night life.