Freshers’ Week and Kick-off Days

2 September 2014. About 8,000 students have enrolled for Autumn Semester 2014 at the University of St.Gallen (preceding year: 7,700 enrolled students). 1,514 undergraduates are expected for the Assessment Year (preceding year: 1,408) and 2,675 (2,516) at the Bachelor’s Level. 3,150 (3,096) students have enrolled at the Master’s Level, and 670 (700) people will be studying at the Doctoral Level at the University of St.Gallen.

As usual, the enrolment statistics for Autumn Semester 2014 will be published in mid-December. Experience has shown that by that time, the number of students will have decreased since some students are still either trying to pinpoint their subject, will not start their studies or will leave after a few weeks.

Recognising and classifying risks

During Freshers’ Week, 160 tutors will supervise the students, who will be working on a case study of the topic of “Risk”. The project is supported by Helvetia Insurance. From Monday to Thursday during Freshers’ Week, case study groups of about 20 members will act as interdisciplinary expert groups on risk and security and receive the fictitious task from the Confederation to draw up a “2014 Risk Report” for Switzerland. They will name the most important development and events in Switzerland, analyse their danger potential und consider recommendations for action. On Friday, all six groups will be subject to a preliminary adjudication.

The best project ideas will be presented by the new undergraduates at the concluding event in St.Gallen’s Olma Hall 2.1 on 12 September before a jury, the Assessment Year students, numerous guests and HSG members.

HSG Kick-off Days on the topic of “Mirroring Authenticity”

On 12 and 13 September 2014, the HSG will welcome approx. 680 new students at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Levels to the English-language Kick-off Days. The introductory programme will provide the newcomers with an insight into the organisational processes of HSG campus life. In the academic programme, the students will participate in workshops on the topic of “Mirroring Authenticity”. Thus they will focus on the authenticity of advertising brands, career planning, urban development, personality or reporting. The most creative draft solutions will be awarded prizes at the end of the event.

The event will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Jörg Metelmann, Academic Director of the Leadership Skills in Contextual Studies. At the beginning of the Kick-off Days, he will provide an introduction to the academic programme. The topic will be treated in more depth by the two main speakers, Prof. Dr. Ulrike Landfester, Vice-President and Professor of German Language and Literature at the HSG, and Dr. Konrad Hummler, partner of M1 AG, St. Gallen, and former member of the board of directors of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.