A festive Welcome Reception for the new international students of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the TH OWL took place in the former Monastery Church of St. Johann in Lemgo. The historical venue provided the ideal setting to welcome the new students of the Bachelor's degree program in General Engineering and the Master's degree program in Information Technology to the Old Hanseatic Town of Lemgo.
Professor Henning Trsek opened and moderated the event. The solemn atmosphere in the church was accompanied by atmospheric organ music.
In their greetings, Mayor Markus Baier, Prof. Dr. Uta Pottgiesser (Vice President of TH OWL), and Prof. Dr. Rainer Rasche (Dean of the Faculty) emphasized the importance of international encounters, cultural diversity, and mutual appreciation. They stressed how vital it is for young people from all over the world not only to study in Lemgo but also to feel at home here.
Community Manager Babourcarr Jarbo, himself a Master's student in Information Technology and originally from Gambia, also addressed the attendees with motivating words. Under the motto "Lemgo is what you make of it – It's all about happiness," he stressed that true happiness arises when one pursues goals with commitment, passion, initiative, and the willingness to work hard.
Subsequently, the Lemgo night watchman, Werner Kuloge, led the students on a short city tour through the historic Old Town, providing vivid insights into Lemgo’s long history.
With the Welcome Reception, the Faculty aims to welcome its new students from all over the world, show them appreciation, and ease their entry into their studies and life in Lemgo.
Professor Jürgen Jasperneite, Organizer and Initiator of the Welcome Reception, paid tribute to the courage of the newcomers and pointed out necessary structural conditions: "I pay my utmost respect to the students. To take the big step of leaving home at such a young age to come alone from distant countries to Germany to study deserves our full recognition. For these young people to stay in Lemgo and for their start to be sustainably successful, we urgently need more affordable housing and additional part-time jobs for our students."