On October 10, the Technische Universität Ilmenau officially welcomed its new students with a ceremony in the Audimax, the university’s main lecture hall building. The matriculation ceremony, hosted by Vice President for Studies and Teaching Prof. Anja Geigenmüller, combined academic tradition with a diverse program featuring music, dance, and student performances. The event clearly demonstrated what TU Ilmenau stands for: excellent research and teaching, a cosmopolitan spirit, and a dedicated international campus community.
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Matriculation Ceremony: "Students at our university are not merely administered; they are supported and cared for"
In his opening address, University President Prof. Kai-Uwe Sattler personally welcomed the first-year students and presented the university as a place for research-oriented learning and a vibrant community. He encouraged the new students to actively take advantage of the university’s diverse opportunities and to approach their time as students with curiosity, commitment, and openness:
Students at our university are not merely administered; they are supported and cared for. And that means everyone can get involved, whether in a club, on a committee, or by contributing their own ideas.
The students had already made a visible statement three days earlier: During Freshman Week, they planted their “Tree of the Class of 2026.” Together with a time capsule buried in the ground, it symbolizes the start of their studies and the students’ commitment to a green and sustainable campus.
The DaChor, TU Ilmenau's pop choir, also highlighted the Earth as a shared habitat worthy of protection with a new interpretation of the well-known folk song “Kein schöner Land.” The blend of traditional and international musical elements, as well as the performances by Noel Toms and Saadman Abedin Mustavi, underscored the university’s cosmopolitan outlook. With the song “Phir Le Aaya Dil” and their rendition of “Stuck on You,” they reminded everyone that a new beginning doesn’t mean leaving the familiar behind, but carrying it in one’s heart.
As a representative of the international communities, Noel Toms also welcomed the new students with a few personal words. His own educational journey as a graduate of TU Ilmenau and now a research engineer at Brandenburg Labs in Ilmenau serves as a prime example for international students who begin their academic careers at TU Ilmenau and subsequently shape their professional futures in Thuringia.
“Ilmenau – more than just blue skies”
In her keynote address, titled “Ilmenau – More Than Just Sky Blue,”, alumna Dr. Sophia Gänßle reflected on her time as a student and scientist at TU Ilmenau. Now a project manager for data science at LEG Thüringen, she shared her personal perspective on Ilmenau as a place to study and live. Even as a native of Munich, she had come to see the town as a second home. “It’s not just one big family, but many small ones that together form an academic community,” she emphasized. This sense of community was also a key reason why she chose to return to Thuringia after spending two years as an assistant professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands:
There are so many different clubs, initiatives, and events taking place here – “Culture made in Ilmenau” – something I haven’t encountered anywhere else on my professional journey. You are part of this culture; please help shape it! If you have the courage to truly be yourself, then your potential will be nurtured here in Ilmenau – and that is truly something very special. For me, Ilmenau stands for excellence, diversity, and openness to the world.
Representing the City of Ilmenau, Mayor Dr. Daniel Schultheiß, himself a TU Ilmenau alumnus, also welcomed the new students. He highlighted the city’s unique appeal: while modest in size, Ilmenau was one of Germany’s most charming and livable places. He also emphasized its proximity to nature and the excellent opportunities it offers for both studying and doing business.
At the initiative of the City Council, first-semester students received a brochure from the City of Ilmenau for the first time this year, containing information on Ilmenau’s recreational and cultural offerings, as well as a voucher for municipal facilities such as the outdoor pool or the GoetheStadtMuseum.
Student Consul Anne Zerbst spoke to the first-year students on behalf of the Student Council. She encouraged them to view their studies not only as academic training but also as a time for active participation and networking:
Of course, student life isn’t always easy, but I have to admit that I’ve fallen in love with life here. The beautiful natural surroundings certainly play a part, as do the close relationships with lecturers and professors. But above all, it’s the wonderful sense of community that makes Ilmenau so special. With so many clubs, societies, initiatives, and student organizations to choose from, there are endless opportunities to meet like-minded people and find your place. Personally, I’ve found great fulfillment in getting involved in student organizations.
The breakdancers and the K-pop dance group from the University Sports Center brought the stage to life with energetic performances, showcasing the wide range of cultural and sporting activities on offer at TU Ilmenau.
From Research to Application: IHK Award for Philipp Krumbein
One graduate who has already made a mark in his field is Philipp Krumbein, who received the IHK Prize at the matriculation ceremony. The materials scientist was awarded €2,500 by the South Thuringia Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for his master’s thesis on the viscosity of silica glasses, their flow behavior at high temperatures. Supervised by Prof. Edda Rädlein, the research was carried out in collaboration with SCHOTT Quarzglas GmbH in Ilmenau.
Krumbein investigated how glass deforms at temperatures between 1,700 and 1,800 degrees Celsius and developed a new experimental method to study this process. The method is now also used at SCHOTT. The resulting data provides valuable insights into how the material behaves at extreme temperatures and can help optimize manufacturing processes in fields such as semiconductor technology, optics and laser technology, and aerospace.
Having worked at SCHOTT as a student employee while completing his degree, Krumbein joined the Ilmenau-based company as a process engineer in January 2026.
Following the matriculation ceremony, the new students got their first look at the campus facilities and laboratories, where researchers are working on these and other technologies of the future.
Overall, the ceremony offered a glimpse of what TU Ilmenau has in store for its new students: exciting opportunities in science and research, a strong sense of community, and an open, international environment.