Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg welcomes first-semester students

University President Marion Halfmann is currently on business in Canada, but she did not miss the opportunity to send a video message to the new first-year students. "A warm welcome. Nice to have you here. We are delighted that you have decided to study with us at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg," she said and promised: "Over the next few years, we at the university will do everything we can to make your studies as enjoyable and instructive as possible." At the same time, she emphasised: "Studying is what you make of it." She gave the new students two tips for their first day - on the one hand, to get involved in self-administration and student committees, and on the other hand, to quickly establish contacts with fellow students. "Because it's easier to get through your studies together," said Halfmann.

Fictional conversation between two artificial intelligences

In the Audimax in Sankt Augustin, the Vice President of Studies and Teaching, Professor Peter Muck, warmly welcomed the new first-semester students to H-BRS and officially opened the new academic year - and he had come up with something special to do so. In a fictional conversation between two artificial intelligences, one played by himself and the other by Jeannette Bergmann, Head of the Language Centre, the focus was on the things that will be important for the "first-year students" during their time at the university and an invitation to think ahead. "An invitation to see this place - this university - not just as a place of knowledge, but as a place of becoming, of questioning and of doubting. Knowledge is important. But in the future we also need courage. We need creativity. Collaboration. Judgement. The ability to act despite uncertainty. Because the world out there doesn't wait until all the facts are on the table," said Vice President Peter Muck. He made it clear: "Learning is not just a process of acquiring knowledge, but also one of becoming human. And you can't do that alone. It requires community, orientation - and humour." 

Student Jonathan Schmitt moderates

In the event moderated by Jonathan Schmitt, student in the Department of Engineering and Communication (IWK), the new students also received very practical information for their time at H-BRS. Representatives from the General Students' Committee (AStA), the student parliament, student initiatives and the student union provided information about offers and opportunities to get involved. Some of the recently appointed professors also introduced themselves.

After the official part of the event, the 'first-year students' had the opportunity to get an overview of various study-related offers. The student motorsport team BRS Motorsport, the e-sports team Tessa and the Finance Club, among others, presented themselves at the market of opportunities in the main building. In addition, important contact points for everyday student life provided information about their services, such as the Language Centre and the Healthy University.

Background - H-BRS in figures

As of 29 September, around 1900 students had enrolled to study at H-BRS from the winter semester 2025/26. The university is expecting further enrolments by the end of the enrolment period in a few days' time. Almost 90 per cent of the new students are starting a Bachelor's degree course. Around 9,000 students are expected to be enrolled at H-BRS in the winter semester. This means that the total number will remain stable compared to the previous year. H-BRS has campuses in Sankt Augustin, Rheinbach and Hennef.