The Grünes Gebäude (Building - Köthen) at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is 100 years old. To mark this anniversary, the university is hosting a week of celebrations in Köthen from May 4 to 9, 2026. Under the motto "100 years of the Grünes Gebäude (Building 02 - Köthen): teaching and research for future technologies", visitors can expect a varied program of festive events, specialist lectures and opportunities for exchange.
Since its inauguration in 1926, the Grünes Gebäude (Building 02 - Köthen) has stood for a close connection between theory and practice. What once began as a training facility for chemical technology has been transformed over the decades into a modern center for Life Sciences and Engineering. The building's development also reflects the changes in science and society: from the beginnings of traditional industry to Biotechnology and current issues relating to sustainability, digitalization and the "digital Anthropocene".
The festive week will kick off on May 4 with a festive ceremony in the Audimax, where representatives from the university, politics and society will come together. In addition to welcoming speeches and lectures on the history of the Grünes Gebäude (Building 02 - Köthen), the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Medal of Honor will also be awarded. An accompanying exhibition on the history of the building and a lecture on student life in Köthen 100 years ago will open up additional perspectives on the eventful past.
In the days that follow, the focus will be clearly on the future: the focus will be on current fields of research and future topics. On May 5 and 6 , 2026, the 4th Central German Algae Round Table will be dedicated to the potential of algae as sustainable raw materials. Other program items on 6 May 2026 and 8 May 2026 will also address central topics in the Life Sciences: In colloquiums and specialist events, researchers, doctoral students and partners from industry and practice will present research results and trends ranging from sustainable production processes and biotechnological innovations to issues of biodiversity and environmental design. Also on May 6, the Seniorenkolleg will be offering an event aimed at the general public, tracing the development of teaching in the Grünes Gebäude (Building 02 - Köthen) over the course of a century.
On May 7, the Köthen Stirrer Colloquium will bring together experts from science and industry to discuss current developments in Process Engineering. On May 8 , an alumni workshop will provide insights into the career paths of former graduates and show what prospects studying at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences opens up. The festive week will conclude with a graduation ceremony on May 9. During this event, graduates will be honored for their achievements and outstanding theses will be awarded.
Please register for the individual events. It is not necessary to register for the Seniorenkolleg lecture. More information at https://www.hs-anhalt.de/hochschule-anhalt/angewandte-biowissenschaften-und-prozesstechnik/aktuelles/100-jahre-gruenes-gebaeude-der-hochschule-anhalt-lehre-und-forschung-fuer-zukunftstechnologien.html
