Due to the pandemic, the start of the summer semester 2022 was once again virtual yesterday, but unlike in previous semesters, not via live stream, but with the help of an interactive online tool that allowed first-year students to interact themselves.
The first semester week on Monday marked the start of the 2022 summer semester for the new students at HWG LU, while the higher semesters will begin lectures next week - with a significantly higher proportion of face-to-face events than in the previous winter semester in line with the changed political framework.
As in the three previous semesters, the start of the summer semester 2022 at HWG LU took place virtually yesterday due to coronavirus. Instead of a live stream, however, this time the new students were welcomed in an interactive online tool in which all participants were able to move freely in virtual rooms as avatars, talk to each other and interact. From the podium in the specially designed auditorium, the two Vice Presidents Prof. Dr. Edith Rüger-Muck and Prof. Dr. Ellen Bareis, together with Chancellor Carolin Nöhrbaß, welcomed around 350 new students (according to preliminary figures) on behalf of the university. Ludwighafen's mayor Jutta Steinruck and liaison lecturer Prof. Dr. Birgit Angermayer conveyed their greetings and wishes for the start of the semester via a recorded video message. Students Mai-Trinh Vu and Rosario Celona introduced the university to their new fellow students; the general student association AStA and the student parliament StuPa then outlined their fields of activity and services. Following the central welcome, the first-semester students were able to move to other rooms, get in closer contact with AStA and StuPa, clarify any unanswered questions at the Student Service Center, get to know the advisory services offered by Studierendenwerk Vorderpfalz and the university chaplaincy or talk to their future fellow students. The first-semester students were also able to find out about the comprehensive range of services offered by the International Office, explore the campus virtually or take a look at the new building via individually controllable video clips and infographics.
In their welcoming address, the two Vice Presidents Edith Rüger-Muck and Ellen Bareis whetted the appetite for the new semester with significantly more events in attendance: "Be curious, take advantage of the opportunities and the wide range of offers outside of your degree programs," Edith-Rüger Muck told the first-semester students and promoted Studium Generale, language courses, international experience and the sports program in cooperation with the University of Mannheim. Her colleague Ellen Bareis drew attention to the services offered by the departments of Studies and Education with the "Writing Lab" or the "Fit to Study" portal and also promoted the "Schöner studieren" ("Study more beautifully") working group or the newly founded Theater-AG. "You are the main people. Without you, there is no university. The university learns from you and changes through you. Get involved!" was her appeal to the students. Mayor Jutta Steinruck then spoke about Ludwigshafen as a city of study in her video message: "Ludwigshafen has a lot to offer - lots of green spaces, many recreational areas, lots of culture and a successful economy. The city is much better than its reputation! I cordially invite you to find out over the next few years," said the Lord Mayor. The first semester students will soon have the opportunity to do so: among other things, their first semester bags will contain a voucher booklet with cultural highlights, which the city's cultural office has put together with the university's art & culture department.
You can also find the stream of the event (albeit without interaction options) on the university's YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogmwRANfhK0& t=844s
