On 11 March 2026, the State Secretary in the Saxon Ministry of Science (SMWK), Professor Heike Graßmann, visited TU Bergakademie Freiberg. She was accompanied by the new Head of Department for Higher Education, Robert Denk, and the new Head of Press and Public Relations at the SMWK, Simona Block. The focus of the visit was a discussion with the Rectorate on current developments at TUBAF in research, teaching and transfer as well as getting to know the university, including a tour of the "Reiche Zeche" research and training mine, the Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering and the Centre for Efficient High-Temperature Material Conversion. This will be the first visit to the Freiberg campus since the new rectorate, headed by Professor Jutta Emes, took office in summer 2025.
"Many thanks for the constructive and open exchange with Rector Prof Dr Jutta Emes and the insights I was able to gain into the strategic development of this traditional university during my visit. The TU Bergakademie Freiberg has not only remained true to its more than 260-year-old mission statement of sustainability, but is also constantly driving forward innovative solutions to technological challenges. That is more than impressive. TUBAF is organised with research and teaching along the entire raw materials value chain, making it one of the scientific beacons in Saxony. The interdisciplinary combination of natural sciences, engineering and economics makes it a central driving force for sustainable resource and energy management. I am looking forward to the further development of TUBAF and its research," said the State Secretary for Science, Prof Dr Heike Graßmann.
During her visit underground to TUBAF's research and training mine, the State Secretary showed great enthusiasm for the infrastructure, which is unique for a university, the high-tech mining technology and the highly innovative projects in the fields of raw materials extraction, geotechnics, mine surveying and geodesy. She was also impressed by the new processes for the energy and raw materials transition and current developments in carbon cycle research presented to her at the Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering. Prof. Graßmann was also able to see for herself the positive campus development on the Freiberg science corridor, where an attractive connection between the two campus areas in and outside the city centre has been created in recent years with the construction of the new university library with lecture hall centre and the Centre for Efficient High-Temperature Material Conversion.
"I am very pleased about the visit of the State Secretary and the new Head of the Universities Department at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The exchange on current and future projects and international cooperation at the university was very inspiring," emphasised TU Rector Professor Jutta Emes. "The feedback from the State Secretary is an incentive and confirmation of the role of the Bergakademie in the region and in the Free State of Saxony - today and in the future."
