After an interactive introduction to the newly enrolled students, a panel discussion on the reality of living and studying in Jena took centre stage at the ceremony. Presenter Lea Deubner spoke with Jena’s Lord Mayor Dr Thomas Nitzsche, the managing director of the Studierendenwerk Thüringen, Torsten Schubert, the student senator Willi Kröning, Jasmin Weske, University Sports coordinator and University President Prof. Dr Andreas Marx about how the city, university and student services organization can work together to create good conditions for studying and student life.
»Your studies mark the beginning of a new phase in your life—full of opportunities, encounters and challenges«, said University President Prof. Dr Andreas Marx. The University of Jena is a place »where you can discover knowledge, take on responsibility and experience community.« He encouraged the students to actively shape the coming years: »Use this time to ask questions and get involved. Your commitment makes a significant contribution to the atmosphere of the University and the city.«
Lord Mayor Dr Thomas Nitzsche also emphasized the special atmosphere of the university city: »Jena is not only a place of excellent science, but also a city that thrives on its students. We want young people to quickly feel at home here and want them to stay beyond their studies.«
Torsten Schubert from the Studierendenwerk emphasized the importance of reliable infrastructures for students: »As a student services organization, we are your student services organization. We want you to feel at home with us—in our dining halls, in our residential homes and at the events we organize. But we also want to help you when you need advice—whether it’s providing legal advice or dealing with psychosocial or general issues relating to your everyday student life. As a student services organization, we rely on your participation in our committees, e.g. in the Jena dining hall committee or in juries, as well as in our surveys, in order to be there for you.«
As a student member of the University Senate, Willi Kröning also emphasized the importance of participation: »Don’t just focus rigidly on your studies. Join the committees, contribute your ideas and help to improve studies for future generations. Without such commitment, we would not be able to benefit from advantages such as the culture ticket.«
Jasmin Weske, dance coordinator for University Sports Jena, described university sports as an opportunity to get to know people and keep healthy while studying: »University Sports is your space for exercise, socializing and health. You can choose from over 700 course options each semester—from yoga to climbing, from dance to team competitions. We don’t just want you to do sports here, we want you to experience community and recharge your batteries for your studies.«
