Skip to main content
Image
Ausstellung terra mineralia

Terra mineralia als touristischer Leuchtturm gelistet

Die Mineraliensammlung der TU Bergakademie Freiberg wurde jüngst in einer internationalen Tourismus-Datenbank als besonders sehenswert gelistet. Damit eröffnet sich für die terra mineralia ein weiterer Weg, die Sammlungen international vorstellen und bewerben zu können.

Der Eintrag erfolgte in den sogenannten „DZT Knowledge Graph“, eine Digitale Datenbank der deutschen Zentrale für Tourismus (DZT), die Informationen über deutsche Reiseziele strukturiert und verknüpft, um Touristen und Reiseveranstaltern im internationalen Markt bei der Suche nach relevanten und personalisierten Informationen zu helfen. Ziel der Datenbank ist es, die relevantesten Objekte je Bundesland (Sehenswürdigkeiten, Attraktionen, Touren und Events) für Deutschland im Knowledge Graph zur Verfügung zu stellen. Das ist besonders für die internationalen Datennutzer und die entsprechende Vermarktung durch die Auslandsvertretungen der DZT wichtig. 

Über die TMGS (Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen) werden dem Knowledge Graphen Informationen aus dem Freistaat Sachsen zur Verfügung gestellt. Seitens der TMGS ist die terra mineralia und das Krügerhaus für die Top Liste für Sachsen mit vorgeschlagen und ausgewählt.

Image
Zum 1. Oktober wurde Prof. Dr. Thomas Günther auf die Professur für Angewandte Geophysik/Elektromagnetik und Potentialverfahren an der TU Bergakademie Freiberg berufen.
Zum 1. Oktober wurde Prof. Dr. Thomas Günther (rechts) auf die Professur für Angewandte Geophysik/Elektromagnetik und Potentialverfahren an der TU Bergakademie Freiberg berufen. Hier mit Dekan Professor Jörg Benndorf bei der Berufung.

Calculating models for the subsurface: New Professor for Applied Geophysics

2.10.2024

Prof Dr Thomas Günther was appointed to the professorship for Applied Geophysics/Electromagnetics and Potential Methods at TU Bergakademie Freiberg on 1 October. The Freiberg University alumni is moving from the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics in Hanover to TUBAF, succeeding Prof Klaus Spitzer. In Hanover, he focussed on geoelectric and electromagnetic methods in the research field for the exploration of groundwater systems and mineral resources from the ground and from the air.

Among other things, the geophysicist has developed concepts and methods for modelling and inversion, i.e. for computing processes that generate a subsurface model from geophysical data. This can be used to visualise groundwater salinisation or raw material deposits, for example. At TU Bergakademie Freiberg, the new professor wants to develop technologies for the electromagnetic exploration of raw materials from the air and for the efficient evaluation of large-scale data sets. His theoretical and practical experience complement each other. ‘For me, the key to understanding in teaching is ‘hands-on’, interactive play.’

The Freiberg collection is the only mineralogical collection to make it into the top 11 IUGS geo-collections. The other ten collections are primarily concerned with palaeontology or meteorites. The International Commission on Geoheritage exists under the umbrella of the IUGS. Its task is to raise public awareness of the world's ‘geoheritage’. Three sub-commissions select the most important geo-locations, rocks and collections. For example, the Scheibenberg in the Ore Mountains became such a geolocation, as it was here that the plutonists and neptunists argued about the origin of basalt, and the Rochlitz porphyry tuff, which is widely used as a decorative rock, became the first IUGS geoheritage rock.

Image
Prof. Sabrina Hedrich bei Ihrer Berufung

Sustainable mining with microorganisms: Sabrina Hedrich appointed to the Professorship of Microbiology and Biohydrometallurgy

1.10.2024

Sabrina Hedrich took up the professorship for Microbiology and Biohydrometallurgy on 1 October. She is the second young scientist to be appointed to a regular professorship in the WISNA Tenure Track Programme at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The bioscientist has been researching as a junior professor at TUBAF since 2020. Following a positive evaluation of her work, she has now been offered a permanent position.

Professor Sabrina Hedrich's field of research is biohydrometallurgy, in which raw materials are extracted with the help of microorganisms. She is investigating how bacteria can be used to extract metals from ores, industrial residues and waters affected by mining. In particular, it researches bioleaching processes for primary and secondary raw materials as well as the biological treatment of mining wastewater. Other scientific focuses are microbial communities in extreme locations such as acidic mining waters and volcanic areas as well as the characterisation of novel microorganisms.

Professor Sabrina Hedrich has already been able to acquire numerous research projects with renowned international partners. For example, she coordinates the XTRACT consortium, which is developing new processes for a sustainable and emission-free mining industry of the future. In the regional MindMontan project, she is developing innovative technologies in the Recomine alliance to reduce the impact of mining on the environment.

Professor Thomas Niendorf from Kassel, a former employee of the Institute of Materials Engineering, where he worked as the head of an Emmy Noether junior research group in 2014 and 2015, will also receive the DGM Prize. He is being honoured for his scientific achievements in the field of additive manufacturing: ‘In his academic career, Thomas Niendorf has explored an impressive range of scientific topics. In the field of additive manufacturing, he has gained worldwide recognition along the entire chain from manufacturing and structure to property characterisation, as is impressively demonstrated by highly cited publications,’ said Professor Hort Biermann in his laudatory speech.

All prizes were awarded on 23 September at the annual general meeting of the German Society for Materials Science (DGM).

Image
Mit dem ersten Preis wurden Steffen Kailitz (Einreichender) und Nicole Husemann (im Foto) vom Hannah-Arendt-Institut für Totalitarismusforschung an der TU Dresden für die Einreichung: Varieties of Political Regimes ausgezeichnet.

SaxFDM research data management

18.9.2024

How can research software be used optimally? How can scientists access research data with as few barriers as possible? How can current research data be used in teaching at universities? These questions were the focus of this year's SaxFDM conference, which took place on 17 September 2024 at the University Library of TU Bergakademie Freiberg. ‘We had around 100 participants yesterday,’ explains Dr Dana Kuhnert from the University Library of TU Bergakademie Freiberg, ’that's really strong.’

TUBAF Vice-Rector for Research, International Affairs and Transfer Prof Tobias Fieback welcomed the participants to Freiberg. The conference began with four keynote speeches and ended with a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Opening up data sets? The challenges and opportunities of re-utilising research data’. The SaxFDM Open Data Awards were also presented for outstanding projects in the field of research data management. Steffen Kailitz (submitter) and Nicole Husemann (in the photo) from the Hannah Arendt Institute for Totalitarianism Research at TU Dresden were honoured with the first prize for their submission: Varieties of Political Regimes.

SaxFDM organises annual conferences. These take place in the major libraries of Saxony's universities (2019 SLUB Dresden, 2021 virtual, 2022 Leipzig University Library: Bibliotheca Albertina, 2023 Chemnitz University Library TU).

Gas for Future - from natural to green gas

9.9.2024

Starting today, 20 pupils are conducting research at the MINT-EC camp ‘Future Energy - Gas for Future - from natural gas to green gas’. Until 12 September, the participants from schools in the national excellence school network MINT-EC will be learning all about gas and renewable energies as energy sources together at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. On the first day, the young people listen to an introductory lecture on the basics of energy production to give them an overview. During the camp, they learn about technologies for converting electricity into gas as a storable energy source. In experiments, the young people explore how much electricity can actually be generated from the wind and how hydrogen or methane is produced from electrical energy. The pupils then see the theoretical knowledge applied when they visit biogas and hydrogen production plants in Raitzen. In discussions with experts, the pupils reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies under consideration for the environment and society.

Image
Logo Mint ec
Teilnehmende Schulen
Image
Forschung an der Professur
Beteiligte TUBAF-Partner

Institute of Materials Engineering celebrates 50 years

6.9.2024

The Institute of Materials Engineering at TU Bergakademie Freiberg has been in existence since 1974 - and with it the field of study Materials Engineering (today as a specialisation in the Materials Science and Technology degree programme). Together with the founder of the institute, Emeritus Professor Heinz-Joachim Spies, the team led by Professors Horst Biermann and Lutz Krüger celebrated the 50th anniversary. In addition to former employees, many graduates also found their way to their alma mater Fribergensis.

617 degrees, 110 doctorates and 4 habilitations have been supervised at the institute over the past 50 years. It currently employs over 30 members of staff who are particularly involved in the research fields of investigating mechanical properties, for example under multi-axial stress conditions or high-speed influences, as well as methods of surface layer technology and electron beam technologies, such as additive manufacturing, which are always accompanied by comprehensive microstructural investigations.

Image
Konrad Burkmann von der TUBAF und Kathrin Brückmann (Lehrerin in Plauen)

How TUBAF supports schools

12.8.2024

On 12 August, Konrad Burkmann (PhD student at the Institute of Physical Chemistry at TUBAF) handed over a donation of various glassware to the vocational school centre e.o.plauen (Plauen, Vogtland) on behalf of the Faculty of Chemistry, Physics and Biosciences. According to subject teacher Kathrin Brückmann, 150 beakers, 500 test tubes, 100 Erlenmyer flasks and countless other items will ensure that the school can continue to provide an experimentally based education in the natural sciences in the future: ‘It is particularly important to me that experimentation is not neglected in chemistry lessons in order to promote fun in the natural sciences. Unfortunately, things break from time to time and buying new equipment is usually expensive. Thanks to the donation, we will be able to ensure a sound education in the natural sciences at the ‘eo’ in the future.’

TUBAF has been successfully cooperating with e.o.plauen for many years in the context of events for pupils: ‘There has been close contact between TUBAF and “eo” for a long time. Many alumni study in Freiberg and it's always nice to see one or two of them again during our visits to the university as part of project days or at student recruitment events at our school,’ says Brückmann.

A positive side effect of the donation is entirely in line with the sustainability endeavours of Freiberg's University of Resources: the continued use of glass stocks that are no longer required, which would otherwise have to be disposed of due to renovation work at the university.

Image
Mann hält eine Urkunde in den Händen

Heisenberg-Professorship "Physik der Quantenmaterialien" prolonged

29.7.2024

Following a positive evaluation, Prof. Dr Daniel Hiller was appointed to the Professorship of Physics of Quantum Materials at TU Bergakademie Freiberg on 29 July 2024. The Heisenberg Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG) has supported the establishment of the professorship since 2021. Now, in the second funding phase of the Heisenberg Programme, the professorship will be extended by two years at TU Bergakademie Freiberg and the new research field of physics of quantum materials in the field of silicon and germanium semiconductors will be continued. The professorship deals with new methods of doping nanostructures and investigates special interface defects for applications in nanoelectronics and quantum electronics. At TU Bergakademie Freiberg, the physicist uses novel physical and quantum chemical effects to control the conductivity of nanowire transistors and thus enable even smaller, more powerful and, above all, more energy-efficient components. "The miniaturisation of transistors on chips is reaching more and more fundamental limits, so new research approaches are needed for further development. I am delighted to be able to continue this exciting research work at the Institute of Applied Physics in collaboration with the Central Cleanroom Laboratory at TU Bergakademie Freiberg," says Professor Daniel Hiller.

Prior to his appointment at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, the habilitated physicist worked in various research and teaching positions, including as an academic advisor at the Institute of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) at the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, as well as a Feodor Lynen Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the Australian National University (ANU) and as a Humboldt Return Fellow at TU Dresden.

Image
Männliche Skulptur in einem Park
Am 20. Juni 2024 enthüllt: die Skulptur von Hans Carl von Carlowitz

Mit Carlowitz und Humboldt Freiberg entdecken – TUBAF ist bei Kunstprojekt dabei

Meldung vom 20.6.2024

Wer Freiberg kennenlernen möchte, kann dies auf dem Silberweg tun – begleitet von Persönlichkeiten der Stadtgeschichte, die als Skulpturen den Rundgang säumen. Auf dem Silberweg sind die ersten der Figuren aufgestellt. Am 20. Juni 2024 fand die Einweihung von vier weiteren statt. Darunter auch die Figur des Erfinders der Nachhaltigkeit, Hans Carl von Carlowitz im Freiberger Albertpark. Und schon am 28. Juni 2024 wird im Schlossplatzquartier der TUBAF eine Skulptur, die Alexander von Humboldt darstellt, feierlich eingeweiht. Die TUBAF trägt mit der Skulptur Humboldts als einem der bedeutendsten ihrer Absolventen sowie mit Hans Carl Von Carlowitz, dem „Erfinder“ der Nachhaltigkeit zu diesem Projekt bei.

An die Skulpturen ist eine digitale Plattform (via App) gekoppelt, die anschauliche, unterhaltsame sowie informative Bildungsangebote bereitstellt. Hier erfahren Neugierige etwas zum Leben und dem Wirken der dargestellten Persönlichkeiten in Freiberg. Kinder werden spielerisch zum Forschen und zu einem naturwissenschaftlichen Verständnis der Welt animiert. Die Ausgestaltung und Produktion der zusätzlichen digitalen Lehr – und Wissensangebote der TUBAF-Figuren erfolgte federführend durch Kathrin Häußler, Andreas Hiekel, Patrick Morgenstern sowie Science Entertainer und Freund der TUBAF, Joachim Hecker.

Neben dem Gelehrtenweg und der Entdeckertour ist die Stadt Freiberg mit dem Silberstadtweg nun um eine Attraktion reicher. Weitere Informationen

Image
Logo Genial Sozial

Aktionstag „genial sozial“: 10 Schülerinnen und Schüler in Büros und Technika der TUBAF

Meldung vom 18.6.2024

Die TU Bergakademie Freiberg nimmt 2024 zum ersten Mal am Aktionstag „genial sozial“ teil. Begleitet von Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern der Universität tauschen die Jugendlichen für einen Tag die Schulbank gegen einen Job an der TUBAF ein: So unterstützen zwei Teilnehmerinnen beim Verein für Weiterbildung an der TU Bergakademie Freiberg, ACATRAIN e.V.. Weitere Einsatzorte sind im Universitätsarchiv, am Schreibtisch und im Labor. Zum Beispiel helfen die Schülerinnen und Schüler bei der Vorbereitung des traditionellen Haldenfestes, bereiten Laborpraktika vor oder inventarisieren Verbrauchsmaterial.

Der erarbeitete Lohn wird von der TUBAF direkt auf das Konto von „genial sozial“ gespendet; die Sächsische Jugendstiftung unterstützt damit soziale Projekte vor Ort in Sachsen und weltweit. „Indem wir Teil dieser Aktion werden, ermöglichen wir einerseits den jungen Menschen, einen Einblick in unseren Dienstbetrieb und unterstützen andererseits soziale Projekte“, sagen die Ausbildungsverantwortlichen des Dezernates für Personalangelegenheiten.

Der Tag steht unter der Schirmherrschaft des sächsischen Ministerpräsidenten Michael Kretschmer und ist initiiert von der Sächsischen Jugendstiftung. Ergänzende Informationen zum Aktionstag 

Image
Teilnehmende Aysmptotics2024

Workshop Aysmptotics at TUBAF

10.6.2024

The Asymptotics2024 workshop will take place at TU Bergakademie Freiberg from 10 to 13 June. Mathematical descriptions of everyday phenomena are often too complicated to explicitly calculate their solutions. Therefore, mathematics tries to describe these solutions in other ways. "For example, if you can prove that a system is constantly losing energy, this allows conclusions to be drawn about the solutions to the corresponding equations. If you can describe materials in such a way that they vary greatly in microscopic areas but are mixed well enough, this opens up the potential to simplify the equations themselves in such a way that their solutions can in turn be easily calculated using a computer," says Professor Marcus Waurick, whose working group at the Chair of Partial Differential Equations is organising the workshop.

Image
Prof. Ulrich Prahl (rechts) bei der Übergabe der Ehrenmedaille an der AGH Krakau.

Medal of Honour of the AGH Krakow for Prof. Ulrich Prahl

13.5.2024

In recognition of the excellent cooperation between the AGH Krakow and the Institute of Metal Forming at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Prof Ulrich Prahl has been awarded the Medal of Honour by the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow (Poland). The two institutions have been working closely together in the areas of teaching and research for many decades.

In addition to joint and reciprocal lectures, the academic cooperation also includes regular excursions and ERASMUS exchanges as well as the organisation of joint workshops and international conferences. Double degree and double doctorate agreements are also currently being developed. In current joint research projects (for example the EU project nanoBainControl), international teams from both universities are investigating innovative material production technologies for the open-die forging of high-strength and simultaneously ductile steel materials in an automated robot cell.

Image
Der Thomas Gessner Award des Fraunhofer-Institut für Elektronische Nanosysteme (ENAS) geht 2024 an die junge Wissenschaftlerin Marieke Stapf von der TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

Gessner Award for PhD-student Marieke Stapf

25.4.2024

The Thomas Gessner Award of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS) will go to the young scientist Marieke Stapf from the TU Bergakademie Freiberg in 2024. The doctoral student at the Institute of Nanoscale and Bio-based Materials (Prof. Yvonne Joseph) is being honoured for her thesis entitled "Chemical sensors based on suspended gate FET structures". The thesis was written in 2022 in collaboration with Infineon Technologies Dresden. At the award ceremony at the Smart Systems Integration conference in Hamburg, the young scientist presented how field-effect transistors can be used for gas sensors. Experimentally, she dealt with the parameters of gas sensor technology (sensitivity, selectivity, response behaviour and service life). The results of the work thus form a building block for smart systems.

The Thomas Gessner Award is a prize for outstanding scientific work in the field of smart systems integration and is awarded by Fraunhofer ENAS. The prize is aimed at national and international master's and doctoral students in the field of smart systems integration whose thesis was graded at least "very good" and was completed no more than two years ago.

Im Februar 2024 hatten Altrektor Prof. Georg Unland und seine Ehefrau Renate Unland eine neue Stiftung an der TU Bergakademie Freiberg gegründet und der terra mineralia rund 200 neue Minerale übergeben. Die Spende für die Ausgrabungsstätte in der Freiberger Prüferstraße ist nun die bisher zweite Schenkung.

Image
Kiste mit Gläsern

Donation to Freiberg secondary schools: New life for one thousand test tubes

On 11 April, the Institute of Analytical Chemistry at TU Bergakademie Freiberg handed over around 1,000 test tubes, Erlenmeyer flasks and other glassware to the three Freiberg secondary schools Gottfried Pabst von Ohain, Clemens Winkler and Clara Zetkin so that as many pupils as possible can carry out their own experiments in chemistry lessons.

During the current move from the existing chemistry building, the glassware was sorted out by the institutes, as it could no longer be used in the new laboratories in the Clemens Winkler building. "The schools were very interested in the offer and can now enable pupils to participate more in chemistry lessons," says Anne Fischer, technical employee at the Institute of Analytical Chemistry, who initiated the donation.

The project is funded as part of the European Union's Erasmus+ Key Action 2 programme. The universities in Freiberg, Jaen (Spain), Kütahya (Turkey) as well as in Zhytomyr, Dnipro and Donetsk (Ukraine), in Almaty and Karaganda (Kazakhstan) and in Tashkent and Navoi (Uzbekistan) are involved. "TU Bergakademie Freiberg has already enjoyed close cooperation with its partners in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for many years," emphasised Rector Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht when welcoming the guests, adding that "the international perspective of Freiberg University is expanding with the partners from Spain and Turkey".

TU Bergakademie Freiberg offers unique courses and international degree programmes that disseminate this knowledge worldwide. Students from over 40 countries are currently gaining insights into this scientific field in the Master's degree programmes "Sustainable Mining and Remediation Management" and "Groundwater Management". "The experience gained in teaching content and methods for the responsible extraction and processing of raw materials is now also being exchanged and further developed with the partners in EMinReM," says project manager Carsten Drebenstedt, explaining the University of Freiberg's involvement.

Image
Bildschirme zeigen Referenten der AMH-Tagung in Freiberg

TUBAF becomes a centre for digital teaching and media services

As a member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Medieneinrichtungen an Hochschulen e.V. (AMH), TU Freiberg hosted this year's Spring Conference 2024. 43 members of the universities came to Freiberg or took part virtually under the banner of digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence. Together, they took stock of new technologies for digital and hybrid teaching. In workshops, the participants discussed new challenges for teachers, learners and staff at media institutions. The trend of development is continuing inexorably towards hybrid teaching programmes - whether you like it or not. Students cannot be forced to be present in the lecture theatre. The life models and realities of students and their demands have become too diverse for this, as summarised in the "World Café" during presentations from the partner universities.

The newly elected AMH Association Chairman Knut Zeigermann also spoke out clearly in favour of the use of AI (artificial intelligence) in the creation of digital teaching content. However, according to Zeigermann, this is by no means a substitute for basic knowledge and an existing infrastructure. Routine tasks will certainly be increasingly taken over by AI in the future. However, AI systems would also need specialised personnel for installation, maintenance and operation. Even the use of a digital set-up with several microphones, a mixing console, webcams and the participation of external speakers in remote conferences often causes anxiety among teaching staff. For Knut Zeigermann, it is therefore clear that AI will by no means replace employees in the field of media services at universities or reduce demand, but that areas of responsibility may shift. The guests were delighted with their stay in Freiberg and were able to take away many impressions and ideas from the guided tours of the new lecture theatre buildings at TUBAF, workshops and presentations at this year's AMH Spring Conference.

 

Image
Logo Wasserstoff

12 research teams from the H2Giga project "ReNaRe: Recycling - sustainable use of resources" are addressing this issue and developing innovative recycling and utilisation concepts for so-called proton exchange membrane and high-temperature electrolysers. The aim is to recycle the valuable and critical raw materials used in the electrolyser, such as iridium, ruthenium, rare earths or platinum, on a technical scale in a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly manner and thus keep them in the cycle even after their initial technical use. The "ReNaRe" annual meeting 2024, which took place from 17 to 18 January 2024 with around 30 participants at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, not only provided an opportunity for personal exchange between the researchers, but also emphasised the crucial role of cooperation between the research teams.

 

Prof. Dr Urs Peuker, coordinator of the "ReNaRe" project at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, continues: "Our project aims to identify possible technical approaches and process routes and to develop initial quantitative results for these with regard to the effectiveness of mechanical, chemical and metallurgical recycling. The focus is on the conceptualisation of possible recycling approaches, which is always a combination of different technologies in different steps."

Review of a successful "ReNaRe" annual meeting 2024 in Freiberg

Project partners:

  • DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e. V.
  • .V.
  • Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA)
  • Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HZDR-HIF)
  • Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG
  • Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT), wbk Institute for Production Technology
  • Öko-Institut e.V., Institute for Applied Ecology
  • RWTH Aachen University, Metallurgical Process Engineering and Metal Recycling (IME)
  • TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Ceramics, Refractories and Composites
  • TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mineral Processing (coordination)
  • TU Munich, Straubing Campus for Biotechnology and Sustainability
Image
Logo Mint ec

The diversity of materials - MINT-EC camp "Future Materials" in Freiberg

On 5 March, the four-day MINT-EC camp "Future Materials" starts at the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg. For four days, 20 pupils from schools in the national excellence school network MINT-EC will work on the topic of materials from production to further processing and their use in modern technology.

The camp begins with an introductory lecture on the topic. The students then take part in a guided tour of terra mineralia, the mineral exhibition at Freudenstein Castle in Freiberg. Over the course of the camp, the participants work in groups on a project. A factory tour is also on the agenda. While one half visits BGH Edelstahl Freital, a company in the steel and mining industry, the other half explores the metal processing company Saxonia Galvanik. At the university, the young people will get to know students from the Racetec team and solve puzzles in the "Materials" escape room.

 

MINT-EC is the national excellence network of schools with upper secondary level and a distinctive profile in M mathematics, I computer science, N natural sciences and T technology (STEM). It was founded in 2000 by employers and works closely with their regional education initiatives. MINT-EC offers a wide range of events and support programmes for pupils as well as training and professional exchange for teachers and school administrators. The network, which currently has 341 certified schools, has been under the patronage of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder (KMK) since 2009. The main sponsors of MINT-EC are the employers' association Gesamtmetall as part of the think ING. initiative as well as the Siemens Stiftung and the Bavarian employers' associations bayme vbm and vbw.

Image
Gruppenfoto Workshop MTEX 2024

Workshop further develops software for geology and materials science

From 4 to 13 March, scientists from almost 20 countries will meet at a workshop at TU Bergakademie Freiberg to discuss current challenges in the modelling and characterisation of polycrystalline materials. The focal point of the workshop is the open source software MTEX, which has been developed by TUBAF mathematician Prof Dr Ralf Hielscher and an international team for more than 15 years. This software is used worldwide in industry and research to analyse electron microscopy images in materials science, geology and crystallography and exemplifies the interdisciplinary focus of mathematics at TU Freiberg.

Freiberg and Zhytomir have been linked by a relatively new university cooperation programme since 2008. This was followed in 2009 by study trips and conference participation at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, some of which lasted several months and were financially supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), as well as the first joint programme in the European Union's ERASMUS programme. TUBAF and the Technical University of Zhytomir have been working together on three projects since 2020.

The TU Zhytomir currently educates 9,000 students in 6 faculties: Business and Services; Mining, Environmental Management and Civil Engineering; Information and Computer Technologies; Computer Integrated Technologies, Mechatronics and Robotics; National Security, Law and International Relations; and Education and Lifelong Learning. For TU Bergakademie Freiberg, there are numerous points of contact in teaching and research.

Network of Jewish university lecturers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland founded

Press release from the Network of Jewish University Teachers:

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, anti-Semitism at universities has increased dramatically since 7 October. Many Jewish students, lecturers and other university staff no longer feel safe at their universities. Some stay away from the campus out of fear or for security reasons, some can only work there with personal protection. Many hide their Jewish identity and no longer dare to express their opinions freely in the face of massive anti-Israeli protests. In order to counter this increasing anti-Semitism and to give Jewish university lecturers a forum, a voice and the opportunity to speak out together, professors and lecturers from all disciplines at universities and colleges in Germany, Austria and Switzerland came together at the end of 2023. The network currently comprises more than 70 university lecturers. It has set itself the goal of:

  • raising awareness of rampant anti-Semitism in all its forms, especially Israel-related anti-Semitism, at universities.
  • To work with university management and other status groups to develop effective concepts for combating anti-Semitism and for Jewish life at universities and in research and to implement targeted measures in line with the German government's National Strategy against Anti-Semitism and for Jewish Life.
  • To provide an exchange platform for Jewish university lecturers and to network them with other national and international groups.
  • To seek cooperation with Jewish students and Jewish members of other status groups at universities and to support them through contact points and
    mentoring.
  • To promote and organise cross-university events and studies on topics relating to Jewish life, Jewish identities and the analysis and combating of anti-Semitism.

We would like to work together with the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) to find effective ways to implement the goals of the HRK's press release on combating anti-Semitism from 15 November 2023. Jewish perspectives on anti-Semitism on campus must be given special consideration. All Jewish university lecturers at universities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland who would like to join and support the network, as well as guests who feel particularly closely connected to the cause, are invited to send an email to Juedische [dot] Hochschullehrende [at] gmail [dot] com (Juedische[dot]Hochschullehrende[at]gmail[dot]com).

Contact person at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg is Dr Ilja Kogan, honorary lecturer for vertebrate palaeontology.

Tel: 0371 488-4559
Mobile: 0162 1562033
kogan [at] naturkunde-chemnitz [dot] de (kogan[at]naturkunde-chemnitz[dot]de)

Further contacts: Deidre Berger, Julia Bernstein, Roglit Ishay, Haya Schulmann, Michael Waidner
Email: Juedische [dot] Hochschullehrende [at] gmail [dot] com (Juedische[dot]Hochschullehrende[at]gmail[dot]com)

Image
Prof. Björn Sprungk

First successful appointment from tenure-track programme

Following a positive evaluation, Prof. Dr Björn Sprungk was appointed to the Professorship of Applied Mathematics at TU Bergakademie Freiberg on 31 January 2024. This makes the Freiberg University alumnus, who has been researching and teaching as a junior professor at TU Bergakademie Freiberg since February 2020, the first permanent professor that TU Bergakademie Freiberg has been able to recruit from the tenure track programme. The mathematician works on methods for quantifying uncertainties in simulations and forecasts and teaches students in probability theory and data science.

More about Björn Sprungk (internal area)

By participating in the tenure-track programme to promote young academics, the university is following the recommendation of the German Council of Science and Humanities for a cultural change in line with the Anglo-American tradition. The aim is to give young academics the opportunity to embark on a predictable academic career at an early stage. The federal and state governments are currently funding seven tenure-track professorships at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. A total funding volume of up to one billion euros is available for the junior researcher programme, which runs until 2032.

More about the tenure-track professorships (internal area)