Anniversary of the engineering school: Former students celebrate 61 years of friendship!

Anniversary of the engineering school: Former students celebrate 61 years of friendship!

A special ceremony took place on June 3, 2025 at the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg. Fritz-Walter Erler, an alumnus of the university, handed over a comprehensive chronicle to Daniel Ebert, consultant for alumni work. This chronicle comprises 800 handwritten pages and extends over five volumes. It documents the annual meetings of a seminar group that began studying road and bridge construction 61 years ago, in 1963.

The engineering school for construction and road engineering in Cottbus, which existed from 1963 to 1969, provided the framework for these young men's studies. The students at the time lived almost entirely in barracks, which have since been demolished. The close class groups in the GDR created special friendships and a strong bond among the students. The group has managed to maintain regular meetings despite the Corona-related break.

The meaning of the chronicle

The chronicle handed over not only shows the solidarity of the alumni, but also has great historical value for the university. The chronicle will be available for research purposes at the university in the future. The documentation of the years of study and the friendships that emerged from them is a particularly valuable legacy.

In this way, the university group's alumni have immortalized themselves not only as witnesses to their own history, but also as part of a larger educational system that extends over many years. This intensive networking and exchange of experiences is of great importance in the context of the German education system.

The education system in Germany

The education system in Germany is characterized by its federal structure, which means that there is no central regulation from the federal government. Education is the responsibility of the individual federal states, which results in an inconsistent approach to education. The types of schools, the duration of school attendance and the qualifications are regulated by the states, while teaching materials and examinations can vary.

An important goal of education in Germany is to create prosperity for everyone through educational opportunities. Equal opportunities and educational success should be made possible regardless of social background. This goal is also reflected in the initiatives represented by alumni groups such as those in Cottbus.

In this context, it is noteworthy that the federal states have a legal basis for compulsory schooling in their state constitutions, which generally applies until the end of the 9th year of schooling. In addition, public schools are free of charge, while private schools charge tuition fees. There are also state support programs such as BAföG for schoolchildren and students.

In summary, it can be said that the handover of the alumni chronicle at the BTU is not only a look back at a long-standing tradition of friendship and study community, but also underlines the relevance of the education system in Germany and its influence on the personal paths and careers of the graduates. This connection between past and present shows how important higher education is for individual development and social cohesion.

In terms of scientific and historical evaluation, the chronicle has the potential to open up new perspectives on the development of study programs and the influence of social ties within academic groups. BTU alumni can serve as a positive example of the value of education and long-term relationships in an ever-changing society.

Further information about the history and current status of the Brandenburg University of Technology can be found on the website Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg. Insights into the educational system of the Federal Republic of Germany are also provided in the materials SlideServe to find. Also offers Alumnius Detailed information about the study paths and careers of BTU alumni.