A major event this year again was the distribution of welcome bags to the new students at the Harburg Market Square, Am Sand. There, on their discovery tour, the first-semester students were greeted by representatives from Harburg, Harburg Marketing, and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) with backpacks filled to the brim. For the 15th time, Harburg Marketing e.V. and TU Hamburg made this project possible. Additionally, Tempowerk, Contitech, the Phoenix Center, Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude, and “TU & YOU Alumni and Foundation” provided financial support for the initiative.
From the marketplace all the way up to Schwarzenberg, the new students had lined up in a long queue. Expectant glances, many initial getting-to-know-each-other conversations, and first interested visitors at the many information booths from Harburg characterized the scene.
Highlights and Activities
The opening began with inspiring words from Dr. Ralf Grote of the Foundation for the Promotion of the Hamburg University of Technology. Afterwards, the new District Administrator Christian Carstensen and Jörn Stolle from Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude addressed the attendees. Like on an assembly line, the distribution of the new freshman bags followed one after another: within just one hour, almost all backpacks were handed out to the newly enrolled students. The few remaining ones can be picked up from Monday of the following week – October 20, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – in the main building of TUHH, 3rd floor, Presidium area.
For memorable photos, the iconic Tempo car from Tempowerk was on hand, while at the booth of Turnerschaft Harburg, visitors actively practiced their throwing skills. Simultaneously, the hvv hop mobile provided valuable tips on how to get around Harburg quickly and smartly. It was a thoroughly successful start full of action, fun, and new encounters in the district of the new students!
The "StudiStart"
The first-semester students of the Bachelor’s program at TU Hamburg in October 2025 each received one of the attractively designed backpacks, while supplies lasted. These were produced in a Polish factory from rPET material, a sustainable raw material made from recycled PET bottles. The bags were packed full with useful giveaways, informative brochures, and vouchers for various Harburg establishments. From pesto, thermal mugs, and gummy bears to notepads and attractive vouchers - everything the student heart desires was included.
Quote from Professor Dr.-Ing. Andreas Timm-Giel, President of TU Hamburg: “Welcome to TU Hamburg. The profession of engineer has never been more important than it is today: together at TU Hamburg we develop solutions against climate change and its consequences. We develop new technologies at the highest level to create a better future for people. I am very pleased that more and more young people are choosing to study engineering here in Harburg. I wish all new students a successful start to their studies.”
Quote from Antonia Marmon, Managing Director of Harburg Marketing e.V.: “Students bring fresh energy to our district, and we want them to feel welcome and well connected right from the start. With StudiStart, we not only showcase what Harburg has to offer but also create encounters between science, business, and city life. This fosters an identification with the location, and that is our goal. My thanks go to all partners, supporters, and contributors who made this project possible and who warmly welcomed the new students together with us. Only through this strong network can we spread campus spirit throughout the entire district and show young people from the very beginning how vibrant Harburg is.”
