For the sixth time, 45 students from OTH Regensburg and Kempten University of Applied Sciences met to debate socially relevant topics. The event, which takes place annually in December, was initiated by Prof. Dr. Tom Falter (OTH Regensburg) and Prof. Dr. Andreas Müller (Kempten University of Applied Sciences). This year, the debate forum was again held in the M26 meeting room in Regensburg's old town to give interested members of the public the opportunity to participate. In addition to guests from last year, numerous new visitors also took part and engaged in lively discussions after the debates.
Socially relevant topics
The international student groups engaged intensively with the following topics and debated them in English:
- The environment is more important than the economy
- Social media do more harm than good
- The arms industry is an important tool for maintaining peace
- Autocratic regimes foster progress more than democracies
Learning through debate
The aim of the debates was to give students the opportunity to engage intensively with current issues. This included researching credible information, developing a well-founded position of their own and presenting it passionately and convincingly to an audience, but also challenging the opposing side with targeted questions. In addition, shifts in opinion among the audience were measured, which were particularly significant in topics 3 and 4.
Furthermore, the event promoted individual and intercultural learning: participants from different countries such as Germany, America, Italy, Bangladesh, Chile, Nepal and India engaged with individual as well as national values and worked successfully together in teams.
Valuable cooperation between the university and the city
Julia Falge (M26), representing Regensburg's urban society, emphasised the importance of close cooperation between the university and the city of Regensburg. At the same time, she expressed her desire for further events and already extended an invitation for next year.
Thanks and outlook
Special thanks go to the committed students, the cultural advisor of the city of Regensburg, Wolfgang Dersch, and Julia Falge for their collegial cooperation. The date and topics for the debates in 2026 will be announced in good time.
