Start of the winter semester: THI welcomes around 2000 first-semester students to campus

Things are moving again on the campus of Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI). After three Corona conditional purely digital semesters, students gathered on site for the first time again yesterday, Monday 4 October. THI President Prof. Dr. Walter Schober welcomed around 2000 first-semester students to the campus lawn - more than ever before. "I am very pleased to welcome you here today in the presence of our university." Studying does not only mean learning, but also networking with each other. And the best way to do that is to be present, says Prof. Dr. Walter Schober.

The THI is starting the winter semester with nine new degree programmes. In the Business School with the Bachelor's programmes Media Psychology and Digital Business, LifeScience Management and the Master's programme Entrepreneurship and Digital Business; in the Faculty of Industrial Engineering with the two Master's programmes Engineering and Management and Global Foresight and Technology Management; in the Faculty of Computer Science with the English-language programme Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence; in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering with the English-language Master's programme Energy Systems and Renewable Energies and at the newly opened Campus Neuburg with the Bachelor's programmes Sustainability and Environmental Management and Industrial Engineering and Construction. In addition, there are 14 new professors - also a record at the university. This brings the total number of professors to 176.

Students will therefore find ideal conditions at Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences to develop their talents. In addition to a subsequent Master's programme, they can also do a doctorate at the university. 100 doctoral students are currently doing this. "The university offers a lot of room in this regard," said Prof. Dr. Walter Schober. And the THI is also excellently positioned when it comes to studying abroad. Students can spend their semester abroad at around 120 partner universities worldwide. Sonja Bedington, Head of the International Office, encouraged the young people to plan their studies abroad in good time. "Come to us if you have any questions," she said, and the same goes for her colleagues at the Career Service and the Student Advisory Service.

Dean Thomas Schwarz and Pastoralreferent Oswald Meyer from the Catholic University Parish called on students to actively shape their new phase of life and to enjoy their studies and the city: "And if something doesn't go as planned, feel free to come to us."

With over ten student clubs and many opportunities for participation and involvement, THI is an active university family. "Whether it's in the Schanzer Racing Team or the newly founded Sustainability Club - get involved at the university," the President encouraged the approximately 1500 new Bachelor's students, 450 Master's newcomers and around 70 exchange students, who were also welcomed by Nicola Capin and Fabian Groß on behalf of the student council.

The state government has made it possible to study on site in compliance with the 3G rules. Only those who are either vaccinated, recovered or tested have access to lectures and events on campus. To give all students another chance to get vaccinated at the start of the semester, the THI had organised a vaccination mobile. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., those who decided to come on short notice could get vaccinated against Covid-19. For all those who have not been vaccinated, it is still possible to get tested free of charge (until 30 November for the time being). The THI has entered into a cooperation agreement with the test centre at Schanz 39.

Like all Bavarian universities, the THI offers a Restart Programme for the first Bachelor's students of the summer semester 2020, winter semester 2021/22 and summer semester 2021. This serves to network students who have had to start largely digitally. Campus life presents itself with its facilities, there is a guided tour of Ingolstadt, university cinema, a Bavarian evening and much more.