At today’s orientation event, the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) welcomed (according to preliminary figures) over 1,100 new students—953 incoming bachelor’s students and 183 incoming master’s and MBA students. This marks the third consecutive year of growth in first-semester enrollment—compared to the 2024–2025 winter semester, which had just under 900 first-semester students, and the 2025–2026 winter semester, which had just under 1,000 new students.
Ludwigshafen am Rhein, September 21, 2026: In the university’s auditorium, President Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller welcomed the 1,136 new bachelor’s and master’s students (according to preliminary figures) on behalf of the university: “We are very pleased with the high student enrollment figures. They are a sign of your trust in our university,” said Piller. While the curriculum focuses on imparting solid subject knowledge, soft skills—such as the responsible use of AI and the development of intellectual competence—are nearly as important. “You are studying in a thriving region with over 160,000 businesses and civil society institutions and great cultural diversity. This diversity is a valuable asset and is also reflected in our university,” the president continued.
Mayor Prof. Dr. Klaus Blettner also took the opportunity to personally welcome the new students on behalf of the city of Ludwigshafen am Rhein: “I am thrilled that so many young people are starting their studies at the university. “With your arrival today, you have become part of this city—you bring new energy,” said the mayor, inviting the first-year students to get involved in the city’s community as well. At the same time, however, Blettner also reminded the students that attending college is a privilege—one that, unlike in many countries around the world, is free at public universities in Germany; a point that was also taken up by Prof. Dr. Nina Knape, Vice President for Education: “It is a privilege to be able to study. This also comes with a responsibility—a moral obligation—to make a meaningful contribution to society,” Knape emphasized, asking the new students to view their time at the university as a “privileged space for thought and discourse,” where people treat one another with tolerance and free from discrimination, and where they can actively contribute.
Afterward, the first-semester students received a whole range of useful tips and advice for what lies ahead: Student Alida Riedel presented the university as a whole to her new fellow students; Prof. Dr. Birgit Angermayer introduced herself in her role as student liaison, and Petra Schorat-Waly outlined the programs offered by the Diversity Department. The chairs of the AStA and StuPA then presented the areas of focus and services offered by the General Student Committee and the Student Parliament. Finally, Antonia Diaco from the ArbeiterKind.de initiative, the Vorderpfalz Student Services Organization, and the university chaplaincy presented their wide-ranging counseling and support programs.
Due to the large turnout, the Freshman Welcome was also livestreamed to the foyer, the conference rooms, the auditorium, and the lecture halls in the new building.
Following the main welcome address, first-semester students had the opportunity to mingle over drinks and snacks or clarify any remaining questions at the information booths in front of the auditorium and in the foyer in front of the library in the new building: Representatives from the four Departments, as well as from the Student Service Center, the International Office, and the BAföG Office, were on hand to answer questions. The AStA, StuPa, the Equal Opportunity Coordination Office, the Student Services Organization, ArbeiterKind.de, the University Chaplaincy, the Green Office, the Startup Office, the University Choir, and the LeLaLu reading mentorship project were also on site.
And, of course, the coveted freshman bags—including the city’s cultural voucher booklet—were once again available for all newcomers. The central first-semester welcome event concluded with guided tours of the campus and a city tour with WOW.
The rest of the week is also entirely dedicated to the start of the academic year: Under the title “First-Semester Week,” there are many more events at the degree program and department levels for the new students. On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., the traditional welcome service will take place in the auditorium, and on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., the AStA will host a freshman get-together in the new cafeteria. And on October 6, 2026, the AStA’s big freshman party will take place at the Tiffany Club in Mannheim.
