New students will be joining Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences at the start of the 2025/26 winter semester. The university is expecting 2,330 first-semester students at its four campuses. 1.110 of them have opted for a degree programme in electrical engineering and information technology, computer science, mechanical engineering, law, social work or supply engineering at the Wolfenbüttel campus. On Monday, 22 September, Ostfalia President Prof. Dr Julia Siegmüller warmly welcomed the new students to the Wolfenbüttel campus.
"I would like to congratulate you on your place at Ostfalia and encourage you to keep thinking outside the box. We want to do our part to ensure that you can have a say and be involved in current topics such as sustainability, climate protection, digitalisation and social change, not only in relation to your field of study, but also beyond," said Siegmüller.
Ivica Lukanic, Mayor of the city of Wolfenbüttel, sent his best wishes for the start of the programme via video greeting: "Wolfenbüttel is a city full of history, but also open to new things. A place where you can learn, create and try things out, whether in projects, associations, start-ups or social initiatives. There is an incredible amount of space for engagement and encounters here."
The first semester event in the Audimax took place in two rounds. On behalf of the General Students' Committee, Executive Board member Lennard Wilhelm gave the first-semester students a personal recommendation: "Discussions need to be held in this country because we are changing as a society. It is our task as students - as the next generation - not only to join in the discussion, but also to proactively participate."
Following the official welcome, the first-semester students had the opportunity to take a tour of the university campus to get their bearings. Various student initiatives and university organisations presented themselves on an activity mile, where the new students could take part in hands-on activities, drinks, waffles and a photo box. In addition to the central welcome, there are individual introductory events for the new students in their faculties.
BRAWO Common Good Prize 2025 awarded
The new students at the Wolfenbüttel campus were able to see that commitment and dedication do not go unnoticed beyond their studies at the BRAWO Common Good Award ceremony, which took place during the first semester welcome. With this prize, Volksbank BRAWO, the EngagementZentrum as the bank's charitable subsidiary and Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences annually honour students who have made a special voluntary commitment to others. The prizes were presented by Claudia Kayser, Head of the Wolfsburg branch of Volksbank BRAWO, and Matthias Marx from the EngagementZentrum. "This award recognises exceptional volunteer work and is a symbol of our appreciation for those who make a special effort for the good of our society," explained Claudia Kayser, Head of the Wolfsburg branch of Volksbank BRAWO and Chairwoman of the BRAWO Stiftergemeinschaft. "It is impressive how many different honorary positions have been held by the students, some of them for a very long time - the jury had a hard time, each and every one of them deserved to be honoured."
Adrian Beichler (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) received the award for his wide-ranging involvement in various committees such as the student council of his faculty and the General Student Committee (AStA) of Ostfalia, as well as for his commitment in Immenrode, where he is in charge of the confirmation holiday seminar of the Protestant church, for example, and is also active in the Bürgergemeinschaft e.V. and the volunteer fire brigade.
Moataz Hawsheh (Faculty of Computer Science) was honoured for his commitment to the orientation and participation of refugees. Since 2016, the student has volunteered as a translator and interpreter for German, Arabic, Persian and English in various refugee networks and provides support during visits to authorities, doctors' appointments and counselling sessions.
Lena Traichel (Faculty of Transport, Sport, Tourism and Media) received the prize for her voluntary work in politics and sport. Among other things, she is an elected member of the Langwedel municipal council and is involved in the youth, sports and social committee. She is also involved in the women's board of SV Holtebüttel, as a volunteer at SV Werder Bremen home match days and has been volunteering to organise youth trips during the summer holidays since 2022.
Noah Möller (Faculty of Transport, Sports, Tourism and Media) was awarded a special prize for "Intergenerational digital skills teaching". In his home community of Lindhorst, the student organises and runs a monthly media skills course for senior citizens on a voluntary basis. An average of 25 people regularly take part. Contents include: Writing messages, setting up a Wi-Fi connection, sending photos, internet safety, app use, digital communication. The course consists of a mixture of a practical introduction to a topic and individual consultation sessions.
All award-winning students received a sculpture, a certificate and prize money of 250 euros, donated by Volksbank BRAWO.
The prizewinners were selected from 40 applications by a jury consisting of the President of Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr Julia Siegmüller, the Head of the Wolfsburg branch of Volksbank BRAWO, Claudia Kayser, and the Managing Director of the Engagement Centre, Monika Schmidt, on the basis of various criteria (including the duration and scope of the commitment as well as the willingness to take responsibility). A student member of Ostfalia University advised the jury after a pre-selection of the candidates eligible for the award.
The next application phase for the prize is expected to start in March 2026. Further information can be found at: www.engagementzentrum.de/brawo-gemeinwohl-preis-ostfalia (external link, opens in a new window)
