Freiberg University of Mining and Technology

TU Bergakademie campus, April 2007

The Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (abbreviation: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, TUBAF) is a public university of technology with currently 3655 students in the city of Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. Its focus is on exploration, mining & extraction, processing, and recycling of natural resources & scrap, as well as developing new materials. Today, it's the oldest university of mining and metallurgy in the world.

History

Before 1945

The institution was established in 1765, during the Age of Enlightenment, by Prince Francis Xavier of Saxony based on plans by Friedrich Wilhelm von Oppel and Friedrich Anton von Heynitz, then called Kurfürstlich-Sächsische Bergakademie zu Freiberg (by 1806: Königlich-Sächsische Bergakademie zu Freiberg). Its main purpose was the education of highly skilled miners and scientists in fields connected to mining and metallurgy. There had developed a need for mining as an industry to regenerate Saxony's economy, since Saxony had been defeated in the Seven Year's War.

Before the establishment of the Bergakademie, four similar institutions had been founded in other countries: Potosí, Bolivia (1557-1786); Kongsberg, Norway (1757-1814); Schemnitz, today's Slovakia (Banská Štiavnica, 1762–1919); and Prague (1762-1772). Since these do not exist anymore, Freiberg University is the oldest still operational University of Mining and Technology. After the École des Ponts et Chaussées, which was established in 1747, it is also the second oldest institution of higher learning with focus on STEM-research (university of technology).

The chemical elements indium (1863) and germanium (1886) were discovered by scientists of Freiberg University. The polymath Alexander von Humboldt studied mining at the Bergakademie from 1791 to 1792, as did the poet Novalis from 1797 to 1799.

In 1899, it was incorporated as a Technische Hochschule. In 1905, Bergakademie gained the right to grant doctorates in engineering (Dr.-Ing.), and in 1939 for natural sciences (Dr. rer. nat.). In 1940, two novel faculties (divisions) where established: Natural Sciences and Mining & Metallurgy. In 1956, another faculty concerning economy was added.

1945 to 1990

After World War II, education of future engineers and scientists, as well as research were quickliy re-established in order to (re-) build primary industry in the Soviet Occupation Zone/GDR. The campus and faculty-staff were expanded rapidly. The educational direction changed through establishing novel courses. Also, the student demographics changed (percentage of women increased), since the access to college was directed by central authorities. Additionally, children of "workers & farmers", who traditionally didn't persued tertiary education, were supported by having a college preparation institute (Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Fakultät (ABF) „Wilhelm Pieck“).

Since 1990

In the aftermath of German reunification, the infrastructure and academic body were reorganized in order to fit the new political circumstances. After its incorporation into the West German system of higer education, Bergakademie quickly found a prime position as "The University of Resources". As the first East German University it joined the German Research Foundation. In connection, the social sciences section where eliminated, while a faculty for economics was restructured and expanded to 15 professorships.

One of the emerging focus points in research was semiconductors, which led to corporations settling in and around Freiberg. These include Siltronic AG, Meyer Burger Technology AG, and JT Energy Systems, specializing in semiconductors, solar power, and lithium-ion batteries, respectively. Besides geo- and materials sciences, environmental science became a university strong piont.

In March 1993, then Technische Hochschule Bergakademie Freiberg was renamed Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, underlining its increased status and significance.

Today, TUBAF is a modern & environmentally focused university, internationally recognized as a "university of closed resource cycles".

The university's history is presented in the Historicum through numerous exhibits, paintings and photographs, and documents. The Forum for Mining History (Forum Montangeschichte) is responsible for digitizing and publishing historic essays and publications concerning Saxony's historical mining and metallurgical industry.

Historical figures and scientific achievements

The chemical elements indium (1863) and germanium (1886) were discovered by scientists of Freiberg University. The polymath Alexander von Humboldt studied mining at the Bergakademie from 1791 to 1792, as did the poet Novalis from 1797 to 1799.

Today, TU Bergakademie Freiberg comprises six faculties: mathematics and informatics; chemistry, biology and physics; geoscience, geoengineering and mining; mechanical engineering and material sciences; and economics.

Profile

The university has defined core fields which create a unique profile in education and research:

Geo

Exploring, researching, and (resourceful) use of the system Earth ist the focal point TUBAF's geo-sciences. The work is based on innovative and novel technologies, e.g. for finding resources, extracting them whitout unnecessary destruction, and resourceful processing.

Materials

Innovative materials for today's problems and uses are being developed.This includes the making, as well as recycling of these materials.

Energy

In this field, scientists develop new, green solutions to energy-problems. Production, use, and storage of energy are researched un conjunction. Aditionally, digitisation of the energy sector is another topic.

Environment

Environmental sciences focus on safety and conservation aspects, e.g. of drinking water, as well as on processes in primary and energy industry.

Technology

Engineers work on future-oriented solutions, novel products, and optimization of already existing processes & methods. Their studies include applied research as well as foundational questions.

Economics

Economic topics arise from all of the fields mentioned above. Therefore, researchers in this field work on projects in pure economic discipines and interdisciplinary projects alike.

Programs

The university offers programs taught in German, as well as international programs entirely taught in English. All in all, there are 75 programs. Among those are unique ones, such as Applied Natural Sciences, Industrial Archeology, Mine-Surveying, and Chemistry (Diplom), which are taught in German.

Admission to all programs from Bachelor through PhD is performance-based and without tuition fees (as usual for consecutive studies at German public universities); students pay a registration fee of 94€ per semester, of which 7€ are dedicated solely to the Student Body (Council).

13 masters programs (date: WS 2022/23) are taught in English:

• Advanced Materials Analysis (AMA)
• Advanced Mineral Resource Development (AMRD)
• Computational Materials Science (CMS)
• Geomatics for Mineral Resource Management
• Geoscience
• Groundwater Management
• International Business and Resources in Emerging Markets (IBRE)
• Mathematics for Data and Resource Sciences
• Mechanical and Process Engineering (MPE)
• Metallic Materials Technology (MMT)
• Sustainable Mining and Remediation Management (MoRe)
• Sustainable and Innovative Natural Resource Management (SINReM)
• Technology and Application of Inorganic Engineering Materials (TAIEM)

Freiberg University of Mining and Technology has been ranked among the best universities worldwide for mining engineering.

Though a public university, it has a relatively large private endowment. The university is home to one of the largest German university foundations.

Student body

Freiberg is a highly international university. Among its 4,061 students in 2018, 24% were foreign students. There are double degree agreements with universities in China, France, Ghana, Italy, Poland, Russia, Thailand and others. About 30% of the doctoral degrees awarded by the university are given to foreign students.

Notable alumni

• Luo Gan, former Member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
• Mary Hegeler Carus – first woman to legally enroll (in 1885).
• Edward Renouf, chemistry professor, Johns Hopkins University.
• Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), renowned naturalist, historian, and humanitarian

International University Rankings

The 2021 QS World University Rankings by subject rated TU Bergakademie Freiberg No. 17 for Mineral and Mining worldwide and No. 3 in within Europe. The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) ranked TU Freiberg 64th among German universities on research performance.

External links

• Website of the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (in German)