»I invite you and more than 900 of your fellow incipient students to change and shape the form of the Bauhaus-Univesität Weimar every day with your ideas, visions and questions«, with these words President (Rector), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Beucke greeted the new students on 15 October during the Enrolment Ceremony. This winter semester (2014/2015) more than 900 students chose to pursue one of the ca. 40 degrees offered at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
In addition, the President (Rector) used this opportunity for the official launch of the new platform on the university's website, the student project showcase: »EXPERIMENT.Bauhaus«. Students have the opportunity to use this platform to present their work and their projects in digital form. Prof. Beucke invited those present to help this digital showcase materialise over time. This showcase is equally inspiring for future and current students as well as other interested parties.
»Welcome to the best time of your life« – this is how the alumnus and former academic associate, Dr. Michael Treutler, greeted the new students. He gave this year's keynote speech, entitled »UnPLANbar« (UnPLANable), and shared his experiences from his time in Weimar in the 1990s. Treutler, currently employed as the Original Programming International Director at Audible, told the students that he did not gain his fundamental skills within in the walls of the classroom, but much more through extracurricular life experiences. He also emphasized that each individual determines for themselves what they make out of the material that is taught to them: »The professors cannot instil you with knowledge. You have to do that yourself.«
The directorate of the Student Convention also addressed the students and introduced numerous student dedicated initiatives and emphasized the interdisciplinary life in Weimar – students need to leave their apartments and the city in order to be able to see the big picture. »Of course, you'll have to leave Weimar and get a look at the larger cities. But after a couple of days, you'll miss Weimar, the people and the life you have here. Then, at the very latest, you will know that Weimar has become your new home.«
The Enrolment Ceremony was outlined by the musical duo, Annika and Martin Bosch, both graduates of the Liszt School of Music Weimar.
The official part of the event was followed by a champagne reception in the foyer of the University Library. The reception was accompanied by the band »Crepes Sucette« and gave the students a chance to mingle among themselves and the professors and staff to celebrate the beginning of their studies.
Traditionally a variety of prizes are awarded during the Enrolment Celebration. This year, the University Awards were presented to eight students and up-and-coming scientists for excellence in the fields of art and science.
The DAAD Award was presented to Aryn Machell, a Bachelor student in the degree programme »Architektur«. The DAAD selection committee chose to tribute this award to Aryn Machell, not only for his excellent work as a student, but also for his work as a research assistant for the professorship Housing Design as well as for his personal dedication. He also works as a guide for the Bauhaus Walk and as a tutor for the Bauhaus Summer School.
This year the »University Teaching Award of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar« was conferred, creating a new way to heighten the attractiveness of the courses. Four teachers from the various faculties were awarded for their particularly creative and effective teaching methods.
Overview of the winners:
University Student Awards
Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism:
Martin Dembski
Master’s project: »Gen.Arche – Tresor des jüngsten Gerichts«
Faculty of Civil Engineering:
Tonia Annick Schmitz
Master’s project: »Die energetische, stoffliche und wirtschaftliche Bilanzierung kombinierter Anlagen zur Algenkultivierung und Biogasgewinnung«
Faculty of Art and Design:
Irene Nitz
Master’s project: »Gesten in der Esskultur - Über den Gebrauch von Porzellan und dessen ressourcenschonende Herstellung«
University Award for Up-and-Coming Scientists
Faculty of Art and Design:
Lisa Glauer
MFA-Programme associate »Public Art and New Artistic Strategies«
Faculty of Media:
Johannes Deich, Michael Markert, Gabriel Rausch, Martin Schied
Research project »fingies« platform
DAAD Award
Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism:
Aryn Machell
University Teaching Awards
Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism:
Yvonne Graefe, Dipl.-Ing.
Course: »Zelten-Architektur als Zweite Haut« (in cooperation with Dipl.-Des. Ines Escherich)
Faculty of Civil Engineering:
Dr. Lutz Scheider
Course: »Stahl- und Verbundbau«
Faculty of Art and Design:
Ines Escherich, Dipl.-Des.
Course: »Architektur(leer)räume« (in cooperation with Yvonne Graefe, Dipl.-Ing.)
Faculty of Media:
Dr. Silke Martin und Dr. Christina Annalena Eckert
Course: »Wer Bildung will, darf Bildung nicht wollen – Bildungstheorien. Perspektiven der Filmvermittlung«