Prof. Michael Kobel, Vice-Rector Academic Affairs, is already looking forward to finally meeting new and returning students in person on campus: “If the pandemic situation continues to wane, nothing stands in the way of a semester with sufficient opportunity for face-to-face teaching. All room booking have been carried out as for a normal on-site semester. We are currently planning to increase the room capacity depending on the actual vaccination rate and in compliance with the appropriate hygiene rules, so that all students can experience as many events as possible in person. We are therefore encouraging all students to make their way to TU Dresden for the upcoming winter semester. We are also asking international students to relocate to Dresden. If the relocation process is delayed due to COVID-19, hybrid teaching will ensure that it will be possible to start the degree program from abroad until entry into Germany is possible. “, explained Prof. Kobel in a recent video message.

However, as the pandemic situation still remains dynamic, digital and hybrid (on-site where possible) methods of teaching are being organized. In any case, the experiences of the last COVID-semester should be used to increase flexibility, further development and professionalization in teaching. Digital elements, “blended learning” or “flipped classroom” methods also offer a lot of potential for improving and facilitating the acquisition of competences in classroom teaching.

How many on-site teaching activities can be held in the fall and winter naturally also depends on the development of the pandemic situation. And everyone can make a contribution to positively influencing this development:

• By getting vaccinated
• By getting tested regularly
• By wearing and regularly changing their medical mask.

Adequate community protection can only be achieved if enough people are vaccinated. The available vaccines protect against catching the virus and can mitigate its severity. By protecting yourself, you also protect your fellow students. Please take your responsibility for each other seriously by using the opportunity to get vaccinated free of charge and without prior appointment in Dresden or in your home town.

A survey will be distributed amongst students in August to ask about their vaccination status and willingness to get vaccinated. Participation in this survey is very important, not least because the collected data will help us to reliably plan the 2021/22 winter semester.

We look forward to seeing you again in Dresden, Tharandt and Zittau for the new semester. Further and detailed information on the regulations and room allocation in the winter semester will follow in September.

All information regarding studies: https://tud.de/studium/corona
All information regarding vaccinations: https://www.dresden.de/corona