The ninth Freiberg Night of Science and Business on 25 May 2024 came to a successful end - despite mixed weather, which brought some booths on Freiberg's Schlossplatz to their knees by thunderstorms and heavy rain in the afternoon. Nevertheless, an estimated 5,000 interested visitors made their way through the city centre and were inspired by hands-on scientific experiments at stands on the Schlossplatz, in laboratories, in the ZeHS, the new university library and many other places. Highlights included the e-fuel filling station and the newly opened RoboLab in the heart of the city centre.
A kick-off to science at Campus Day
From 2 p.m., the whole of Freiberg was dedicated to science. Around 400 young people and their families came to the new university library and the integrated lecture theatre building to find out about study opportunities at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. In his welcoming address, the Rector of the University, Professor Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, emphasised the challenges and opportunities that await prospective students in Freiberg. He also presented the new option of a cooperative study programme at TU Bergakademie Freiberg and the new "Space Resources" German language study programme starting in the coming winter semester 2024/25.
Curious prospective students at the Campus Day
Afterwards, prospective students found out about individual subjects, from chemistry and geoengineering to economics. The focus was not only on the degree programme itself, but also on the career opportunities it opens up. In addition to the many high school graduates, there were also young people who are already in training and want to develop further - like 21-year-old prospective chemical laboratory assistant Jennifer Naumann from Dresden: "I want to go deeper into the subject of chemistry." Alissa Bürger, a Bachelor's student at the University of Cooperative Education in Dresden, was also interested in studying economics at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. Professor Alexander Leischnig from the Chair of Business-to-Business Marketing observed during this campus day that the young people asked very good, in-depth questions: "This means that they have already considered the topics of the degree programme."
From 6 pm: Night of Science and Business
At 6 pm, the Rector of the University, Professor Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, State Secretary Dr Andreas Handschuh from the Saxon Ministry of Science and the Mayor of Freiberg, Sven Krüger, opened the ninth Night of Science and Business on the Schlossplatz. Mayor Sven Krüger said with regard to the diversity and practical relevance of research and teaching at TU Bergakademie Freiberg: "Our university shows what makes it successful." State Secretary Handschuh emphasised the special nature of the Freiberg event, which is not only a night of science, but also of business. "This only happens once in the Free State of Saxony." Science is not an end in itself and does not belong in an ivory tower: "It is important for science to open up." Rector Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht spoke about the recently renegotiated funding for Saxony's universities, which will provide planning security for the next eight years. The night is an opportunity to look at things that are otherwise hidden behind laboratory doors: "When you see what happens here, you can be proud of your city."
Dragons and robots in Burgstraße
In fact, science was not just waiting behind laboratory doors. That evening, the RoboLab was officially opened in Burgstraße - a meeting place in a shop not only for students and researchers, but for the whole of urban society. Claudi the robot took a tour from Schlossplatz to the new RoboLab and attracted many interested people, who immersed themselves in the world of computer science with VR glasses on their noses. Burgstraße also showed that the university is not just about research, but also about the people who study and work there. Chinese members of the university demonstrated the dragon dance, with a golden cloth with a dragon's head attached to the end. Joining in and trying it out was absolutely encouraged!
Freiberg.Science.City initiative launches
Visitors were invited to marvel and ask questions at a total of around 140 stands. Many of the activities were particularly popular with the youngest guests of the night, such as the diving tower on Schlossplatz. Here, students demonstrated how scientific diving works. One of them was Cassandra Jany, a student of mine surveying. Anna Wetzel from the Chair of Machine Elements used a test stand to demonstrate the force with which bicycle helmets are deformed on impact. This Night of Science and Business was also the starting point of the Freiberg.Science.City initiative, which brings together people from science, business and the city to promote Freiberg as a centre of science - motto: get active together and shape a cosmopolitan, sustainable and future-proof Freiberg!
Science with an entertainment factor and depth
The highlight was the raffle for ten tankfuls of synthetic Freiberg petrol at 10 pm. And it wasn't just about entertainment: Antonia Helf, a process engineer at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, gave a short presentation explaining why e-fuels are important for the transport transition. After all, the transport sector is responsible for more than 20% of CO2 emissions. Professor Martin Gräbner and Vice-Rector Professor Tobias Fieback were the lucky winners of the raffle. In the meantime, the Schlossplatz was bathed in bright blue - projected onto the walls and facades. And this night came to an end at midnight - without rain and with a Steigerlied - sung by the rector and the organising team of the night and accompanied by members of the university big band Wood 'n' Brass. The next Night of Science and Business will take place again in two years' time in 2026.
Impressionen from Campus Day
Impressions from "Nacht der Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft"
