First "University Town" in Saxony

Mittweida has always been a university town for the town fathers, the university's administration and employees, students, graduates, citizens and guests. Ever since this past Saturday, Mittweida has the right to officially bear the title of "University Town". That makes it the first place in Saxony with this name addition, which will appear on letter heads, official seals and documents in the future. Mittweida's Lord Mayor Ralf Schreiber is delighted: "The State Ministry accepted our formal request because of the university's outstanding significance for the town. The ratio of 6,500 students to 15,000 residents makes it unique in Germany."

Headmaster Ludwig Hilmer adds: "This is a good sign for our Anniversary. Mittweida has been a university town for 150 years now. After the "Technicum" had been launched in 1865, the first courses took place in "Rochlitzer Straße" and in the former theatre, today's cinema. The university was established in the heart of the town and has remained in that spot ever since."

In its formal request to the Ministry of the Interior the municipal administration pointed out the university's significance for the local economic and cultural life: It's the most important employer in the town. Its graduates are known worldwide for their inventions. Many of the town’s business have grown from the university. It represents the transfer of science into the region’s economy. In many projects such as "Smart City" or "Mittweida City of the Future", town and university collaborate to shape the future of the university town.

At the "T9", another collaborative project of town and university located at the foot of "Technikumplatz", the Minister of the Interior Ulbig confirmed on Saturday: "Mittweida University is the town’s greatest flagship. Its reputation far exceeds the town limits. Residents and students both identify with their university."