Open University 2026: From Clouds in a Glass to Particle Physics
How can you create “clouds in a glass” using water, milk, and food coloring? What positive or negative effects does social media have on us as people? How is a crystal structured—and what does strawberry ice cream have to do with particle physics? Visitors found answers to these and many other questions at the University of Siegen’s Open University event on Unterer Schlossplatz. The university showcased its full diversity at 46 booths. Numerous interested visitors took advantage of the opportunity: As they strolled through the “tent city,” they learned about the university’s wide range of fields and disciplines, degree programs, and current research topics. From a university quiz to 3-D printing to building their own electric motor, there was no shortage of hands-on activities.
The Open University was officially opened by Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese and Siegen Mayor Tristan Vitt. Prof. Reese took the opportunity to look back on the university’s most recent achievements: These included the launch of the “Color meets Flavor” Cluster of Excellence in Particle Physics at the start of the year, as well as the opening of the INCYTE Research Center as a state-wide flagship in nano- and sensor research, and the founding of the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research.
Reese explained that the university’s strengths include its excellent student-to-faculty ratio, the personal contact between students and faculty, the very good working conditions, and the quality of life at the two central locations, Haardter Berg and the city center: “Sometimes I’m even a little envious—I would have loved that as a student!” Mayor Tristan Vitt praised the strong collaboration between the university and the city and the positive impact of relocating parts of the university to the city center: “The atmosphere in the Upper Town was quite different ten or twelve years ago. The students have really brought the city to life. When the university is well-positioned, the city benefits too.” The Rector and the mayor agreed that Siegen has a lot to offer as a place to study: from its big-city flair combined with a manageable size, to its infrastructure and green surroundings.
Prospective students could also learn about study opportunities at the University of Siegen during the Open University event. As in previous years, the “Ready to Study” information fair took place concurrently in the lecture hall center—featuring information on all bachelor’s and master’s programs, presentations, and personalized counseling. Many young people took advantage of the event—including Franziska, who had traveled all the way from Werdohl to learn about the “Social Work” program and came away with a positive first impression: “Everything here at the Lecture Hall Center feels very modern and welcoming. And the staff are totally open and helpful—I noticed that right away.”
Entertainment on the Schlossplatz stage was provided by a varied program featuring plenty of music—including performances by the university big band, the university’s JazzRockPop ensemble, the rock bands Mosaik and Do not Cross, as well as the Com Felipe Quartet and the “kleine Kombo.” The K-pop dance group Celestient received lots of applause for their energetic dance performances.
Once again this year, a highlight of the Open University was the lecture by Mirko Drotschmann, alias Mr. Wissen2Go. With his talk titled “Military Service or Conscription? How Does Germany Plan to Defend Itself Better in the Future?”, he drew a crowd of mostly young people to the large Friedrich Schadeberg Lecture Hall, including many high school students, such as Lea and Lotta from the Eiserfeld Comprehensive School. They appreciate Drotschmann’s clear explanations, even on current social issues covered in their school curriculum. Once they’ve graduated from high school, both plan to return to the University of Siegen as students and already have concrete plans: Lea wants to study music education, and Lotta wants to study chemistry.
