Bautzen is becoming a university town: a milestone for education and the region!

Bautzen is becoming a university town: a milestone for education and the region!

The celebration will take place in Bautzen on Wednesday morning, June 15, 2025. The status as a “university town” has been officially announced, and the celebrations at the Peace Bridge not only attract local celebrities. Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, Mayor Karsten Vogt and numerous other city notables are on site to celebrate this important event. Prime Minister Kretschmer emphasizes the importance of education for Saxony, especially in rural regions, and highlights the new opportunities that this status brings with it.

A very special highlight of the celebration was the presentation of a town sign with the addition “University town of Bautzen – Wysokošulske město Budyšin”. This sign will be placed at all entrances to the city center and is intended to underline the city's new identity. “The conversion of the Bautzen Vocational Academy into the Saxony Cooperative State University is a real milestone for our city,” explains Mayor Vogt. The city council unanimously approved this name addition, which only underlines how important higher education is for the city.

Upgrading training in Bautzen

The Bautzen Cooperative State University has established itself in the educational and research landscape of Upper Lusatia. With the upgrade to the State Study Academy, students can now acquire full academic degrees, which significantly increases the attractiveness of the location for students. Rector Professor Katharina Bühn sees great advantages here and sees the introduction of dual master's degree programs as the next step in improving the educational offering. The close connection between theory and practice remains through the employment of students in practical companies. What a win for both sides!

The Saxony Cooperative State University, in force since the beginning of the year, has replaced the Saxony Vocational Academy and includes seven study academies. A unique offer is offered under the university's new regulations, which allows applicants without a high school diploma to start the degree programs if they can provide evidence of at least three years of state-regulated vocational training. This is particularly beneficial for many young people in the region.

Collaboration with the city and the region

The city of Bautzen is an active practical partner of the university and trains students together with the support association of the study academy. "Business and science should work hand in hand. That is our motto: 'Business + science = growth!'" Vogt continued. An innovation corridor between Dresden and Görlitz, inspired by the Brandenburg model, is also being promoted in order to further strengthen the region's digital and transport infrastructure.

The importance of well-trained specialists is always emphasized. The change to university status is seen as an important incentive to keep young people in the region and offer them an attractive local training facility. In addition, the “Bautzen Academy” lecture series, which has been offering free lectures to anyone interested since 2005, opens up new knowledge and educational opportunities.

With the series of new measures, the city of Bautzen is well prepared to be the first university town in the district to set an example for the region and to noticeably strengthen the connection between education and business. If you would like to find out more about the educational institutions in Saxony, you can find further information at bildungsportal.sachsen.de.