With an exciting mix of travelogue, science and personal stories, TU Bergakademie Freiberg presented a preview of the six-part MDR documentary “Thomas Junker on the Road – From Freiberg to the World” on 12 November 2026.

Produced by MDR, this German-language series documents filmmaker Thomas Junker’s journeys to Mozambique, Vietnam and Bolivia, and illustrates how the TU Bergakademie Freiberg has built up and shaped international networks over the decades – from raw material extraction and educational partnerships to projects on sustainability.

Key figures in the documentary are TUBAF graduate Sónia Mondlane and TUBAF professor Carsten Drebenstedt, whose life stories and academic work play a significant role in the series. Both were present at the preview and spoke about their experiences. The preview was hosted by Rector Professor Jutta Emes. She also spoke with MDR Director-General Ralf Ludwig and highlighted the importance of public service broadcasting in communicating scientific topics. 

The six-part series will be broadcast for the first time on MDR from 16 November 2026 and is available in the ARD media library.

Fast 300 Gäste verfolgten die Preview der Serie "Von Freiberg in die Welt" im Krüger-Hörsaal.
TUBAF / A. Hiekel
Absolventin Sónia Mondlane hat im Rahmen eines Stipendienprogramms des Ministerium für Mineralische Ressourcen und Energie Mosambiks (MIREME) an der TUBAF studiert.
TUBAF / A. Hiekel
Der emeritierte Bergbau-Professor Carsten Drebenstedt trug mit seiner Expertise zu der MDR-Serie bei.
TUBAF / A. Hiekel
MDR-Intendant Ralf Ludwig (Mitte) beleuchtete die Bedeutung des öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunks für die Vermittlung von Themen aus der Wissenschaft.
TUBAF / A. Hiekel
Thomas Junker bei Aufnahmen an der TU Bergakademie Freiberg
TUBAF / A. Hiekel
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