Students from all over the world will bring music, dance, and personal stories to the stage: Under the motto “Anhalt – Open to the World,” Anhalt University of Applied Sciences invites guests to its International University Day on October 7, 2026, at the Campus Köthen. A special focus will be on China, with which the university has maintained close academic ties for many years. Starting at 4:30 p.m., guests can look forward to an international stage program in the Ratke-Gebäude (Building 23 - Köthen) at Lohmannstraße 23.
International Diversity on One Stage
For the third year in a row, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is hosting its International University Day. Currently, around 2,500 international students are enrolled at the university’s three campuses. During International University Day, this diversity will be on full display in the lecture hall of the Ratke-Gebäude (Building 23 - Köthen): Students and other participants from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, China, Brazil, Ukraine, Indonesia, Colombia, Iran, and Germany will jointly put together the program.
Following a musical opening, the President of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Professor Jörg Bagdahn, will open the International University Day. The program ranges from classical music and singing to traditional dances. Highlights include an Indonesian dance, Ukrainian and Colombian songs, traditional Iranian music, and performances by Chinese students. The Köthen Castle Choir will also be participating. Köthen’s mayor, Christina Buchheim, will deliver a welcoming address to the performers and guests.
Focus on China
This year’s International University Day will place a special focus on China. There are currently 293 students from China studying at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. At the same time, the university has maintained close academic ties with Chinese partner universities for many years. In October 2025, it founded the “Anhalt School of Intelligent Engineering and Sustainable Development” in collaboration with the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan. In the 2026–27 winter semester, 181 first-year students will begin their studies in Wuhan in the bachelor’s programs in Mechanical Engineering, computer science, and surveying and geoinformation.
This exchange is also visible on stage. A live video link to Tai’an in the Chinese province of Shandong offers insights into daily life there. In addition, two students share their impressions of a trip to China organized by the Confucius Institute in Leipzig.
First Internationalization Award
For the first time, an Internationalization Award will be presented at the International University Day. With this award, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences honors members of the university community who bring the international profile—anchored in the university’s mission statement—to life. The Senate Committee for International Affairs served as the jury and selected a winner from among the applications. Decisive factors included the visibility and impact of the projects, their sustainability, and student participation. Professor Uta Seewald-Heeg, Vice-President for International Affairs and Gender Equality, will present the award.
DAAD Prize for Outstanding Commitment
The International University Day also includes the presentation of the DAAD Prize. This award from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) honors international students who have distinguished themselves through exceptional course work as well as social and intercultural engagement. Professor Sebastian Volkmann, who teaches in the Department of Economics, will present the prize this year.
International University Day brings together students, instructors, staff, and guests from the city of Köthen and showcases how international cooperation and cultural diversity are put into practice at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
All interested parties are cordially invited. Admission is free.
