The Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) welcomed around 420 new students to Ludwigshafen at today's Fresher's Welcome (according to preliminary figures). The Freshers' Welcome followed by Freshers' Week traditionally takes place one week before the regular start of lectures.
This year's special feature: the first semester students are the first cohort of students to benefit from the new building (Building C) on the campus in Ernst-Boehe-Straße.
In the university auditorium, President Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller and Vice President Prof. Dr. Edith Rüger-Muck welcomed the approximately 420 new Bachelor's and Master's students (according to preliminary figures) on behalf of the university. Alderman Alexander Thewalt conveyed the greetings of the City of Ludwigshafen on behalf of Lord Mayor Jutta Steinruck and liaison lecturer Prof. Dr. Birgit Angermayer then sent her greetings and wishes for the start of the semester. Indra Steuer, a 4th semester Marketing student, then introduced the university to her new fellow students. Claudio Albano and Nicolas Hölzel then presented the areas of activity and services offered by the General Student Committee (AStA) and the student parliament (StuPa). The social department of the AStA, the Studierendenwerk Vorderpfalz and the university chaplaincy also outlined their counseling and support program, before the Institute of Sport presented the broad sports program at the University of Mannheim, which is also open to Ludwigshafen students.
"Our university stands for openness, tolerance and mutual respect. We see the diversity of our student body as an absolute enrichment," said University President Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller, opening the welcome address, adding: "Be open too, open up new options, get involved, also in student self-administration". The President also emphasized the familiar atmosphere, the high practical relevance and the excellent location of the university in the heart of the metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar. "You are the first students to enjoy our wonderful new premises," added Piller, referring to the new building on the Ludwigshafen-Mundenheim campus. Building C, as the new building will be known in the university's nomenclature, was gradually occupied during the semester break and now offers space for the four Departments, the Student Service Center, the Bafög Office and the International Office, among others. The new building also has numerous lectures, education and group work rooms for students. A completely redesigned library and a spacious canteen on the first floor of the new building will follow in the coming months.
Vice President Prof. Dr. Edith Rüger-Muck whetted the students' appetite for international encounters and intercultural exchange when welcoming the first semester students and presented the Buddy Program and the Intercultural Compass Certificate in addition to the opportunities for international exchange. At the same time, she warmly invited the first semester students to the international formats "Café International" and the International Sports Day in the summer semester.
"We are delighted that you are studying in Ludwigshafen, one of the leading life science locations in Germany and one of the strongest research universities in Rhineland-Palatinate. The university and its graduates enjoy a good reputation among companies and employers," emphasized Alexander Thewalt and gave the first-year students a warm welcome from Lord Mayor Jutta Steinruck.
Following the central welcome, the first-year students were able to talk to each other over drinks and snacks in the foyer or clarify any unanswered questions at the information stands: Representatives of the four Departments as well as the Student Service Center, the International Office and the Bafög Office were on hand to answer questions. The AStA and StuPa, the departments of Studies & Education, the Equal Opportunities Coordination Office, the Studierendenwerk and the university chaplaincy were also on hand to answer any questions. And, of course, there were once again the coveted Ersti-Bags with the city's cultural voucher booklet for all new arrivals. Degree ceremonies were followed by guided tours of the campus and the new building.
The rest of the week is also dedicated to the start of studies: there are many other events for the new students at degree program and department level under the title "Fresher's Week". On Tuesday, 05.03.2024, at 9.30 a.m., the traditional welcome service will also take place in the auditorium. On Wednesday, 06.03.2024, the AStA then invites you to the Ersti-Get2gether in the (old) Mensa from 17:00, followed the next day by bar hopping through Mannheim's trendy Jungbusch district.
According to preliminary figures, around 420 first-semester students are starting the summer semester at HWG LU, including around 290 Bachelor's students, around 100 Master's and MBA students and 32 incoming and exchange students. The Bachelor's degree courses in Marketing and Business Psychology were particularly popular this semester.
