Mary Clement and Nasira Ünütürk have already connected through the freshmen group on WhatsApp, but today they are seeing each other "live" for the first time. Excited and full of anticipation, the two new students of the degree program "Digital Product Design and Development" stand in front of the Great Hall of Aalen University of Applied Sciences and wait for the ceremonial first semester welcome. The two young women are two of over 1,100 students who started their Bachelor's or Master's degree program today, Tuesday, for the winter semester 2025/2026.
A good decision
The new students were warmly welcomed to Aalen University of Applied Sciences in the Great Hall, which was packed to the last vacancies, (free) places. University chaplain Tobias Obele and the trombone choir of the institution of higher education under the management of Reinhard Liebhäußer and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Nolting kicked off the first semester welcome with an ecumenical service. University Rector Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel then addressed the New Student / First Year Students: "You have made a very good decision and I am delighted that so many of you are here!" In his entertaining speech, he referred to the special features of Aalen University of Applied Sciences, which is one of the strongest research universities of applied sciences in Germany and regularly occupies vacancies, (free) places in the rankings for outstanding teaching. With its broad range of programmes offered with around 70 Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes, it also has courses "on board" that are not often found throughout Germany, such as the "Physician Assistant" degree programme.
"Become part of our community, help shape the institution of higher education!"
"Studies not only open up great career options, but also allow you to grow as a person. And of course it's fun too," emphasized Riegel, appealing to the students to set themselves goals and "learn to learn". "We all have to constantly reinvent ourselves. In three or four years' time, you won't be the same person you are today." Exchange is also fundamental to this: "Make friends, become part of our community, help shape the institution of higher education!" said Riegel, referring to the many opportunities to get involved - be it at the annual Aalen Industry Fair (AIM), which is organized by students, with the E-Motion racing team, the university cinema or the constituted student body (VS). Riegel also emphasized the importance of intercultural skills and advised New Student / First Year Students to use the next few years to go abroad for a semester and make contact with the international students at the institution of higher education. "And of course, don't forget to celebrate! For four weeks from now, but then it's over and you can concentrate on your Studies!" joked the University Rector.
Why it's worth living and studying in Aalen
Dr. Georg Feuerbach, who was standing in for Mayor Frederick Brütting, then welcomed the New Student / First Year Students on behalf of the City of Aalen. The city archivist gave an entertaining insight into the Roman, imperial and industrial history of Aalen and highlighted the many highlights of why it is worth living and studying here - from the theater to the pub scene to the many festivals, the traditional companies in the region and the landscape, which not only makes mountain bikers' hearts beat faster. How diverse the offers of Aalen University of Applied Sciences are and how they support the students on their way was shown during the presentation of numerous institutions such as the Student Service Center or the constituted student body. At the "Market of Opportunities", the "first-year students" were also able to get to know numerous institutions and student organizations at the institution of higher education and in the region. For example, the start-up campus of the institution of higher education, the E-Motion racing team and the Aalen University of Applied Sciences Theater introduced themselves.
Introductory lecture on student life
After enjoying a free lunch in the Cafeteria, the New Student / First Year Students were picked up by the respective degree programs and introduced to their first day of student life. "We are looking forward to getting to know people from our degree program," say Mina Karabay and Dalya Köchl. The two girls from Aalen graduated from Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium this year with their Abitur, university entrance qualification and have decided to study Business Information Systems . "We attended some lectures at Aalen University of Applied Sciences during the Campus Days and found them very interesting," says Mina Karabay. "The time since our Abitur, university entrance qualification has felt a bit empty, so it's good to have something to do with our heads again," adds Dalya Köchl with a laugh.
A plan for the future
Kilian Lehrmann is also looking forward to the new phase of his life that now lies ahead of him. Setting himself goals, as suggested by Rector Riegel in his speech, is something the newly graduated business psychology student and passionate sportsman has already taken to heart. His plans for the future are clear: "I want to set up my own fitness studio later on. You need to have commercial, economical, profitable, financial, cost-effective skills, not just for discussions with the bank." And the Schwäbisch Gmünder native adds with a grin: "A bit of psychological empathy for customers can't hurt either." He is a little nervous at the moment, but "Studies will definitely be a great time!"
