Freiberg University of Mining and Technology

The Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (abbreviation: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, TUBAF) is a public university of technology with 3,471 students in the city of Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. The university's focuses are exploration, mining & extraction, processing, and recycling of natural resources & scrap, as well as developing new materials and researching renewable energies. It is highly specialized and proficient in these fields.
Today, it is the oldest university of mining and metallurgy in the world.
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. At the time, it was called the 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 Years' War.
Before the establishment of the Bergakademie (mining school), four similar institutions had been founded in other countries: Potosí, Bolivia (1757–1786); 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 and 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.
After World War II, education of future engineers and scientists, as well as research were quickly 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 pursued tertiary education, were supported by having a college preparation institute (Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Fakultät (ABF) "Wilhelm Pieck").
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 higher 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 were 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 point.
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.
A number of known figures studied and/or lectured at the Bergakademie:
Abraham Gottlob Werner (1749–1817) was a highly influential lecturer and scientist, who systematized minerals and rock formations. He is considered the founder of an early form of geology as a science, called 'geognosis'. Thus, he laid the foundation for mineralogy and resource deposit theory. During his tenure, he attracted a wide range of students and peers, among them Alexander von Humboldt, Franz Xaver von Baader, Leopold von Buch, Friedrich Mohs, and Robert Jameson.
Wilhelm August Lampadius (1772–1842) was a professor of chemistry and metallurgy. He installed the first gas light on the European continent and advanced the technology to an industrial scale. Also, Lampadius founded the world's first chemical research laboratory in a university in 1796/97.
The poet Novalis (1772–1801; Georg Philipp Friedrich von Hardenberg) studied in Freiberg from 1797 through 1799. He also created his pseudonym for his literary works during this time. Many topics and themes of his work came from the mining culture surrounding him.
The polymath Alexander von Humboldt enrolled on 14 June 1791 and went through a rather short, but intense program, qualifying him in natural sciences and metallurgy. He took a special interest in developing appliances, such as the "Licht-Erhalter". One of Humboldt's most famous discoveries was the vegetation underground, published in 1793 as "Flora Fribergensis". Many of the plants described were discovered and characterized by him.
1848 to 1851, Gustav Anton Zeuner studied in Freiberg. He later went on to lay the groundwork for thermodynamics as field of study in engineering.
Karl Heinrich Adolf Bernhard Ledebur was one of the first to study processes in metallurgy and ironwork empirically with modern scientific tools and methods. During his tenure, he founded the university's iron laboratory.
In 1863, the chemical element indium was discovered by chemist Hieronymus Theodor Richter (1824–1898) and physicist Ferdinand Reich (1799–1882), naming it after its indigo-blue colored flame.
In 1886, chemistry professor Clemens Alexander Winkler (1838–1904) isolated the element germanium for the first time while analyzing the rather uncommon mineral argyrodite. This proved Dmitri Mendeleev's periodic table and his prediction of a so-called ekasilicon.
In the field of process engineering, Erich Rammler and Georg Bilkenroth were awarded the National Prize of the German Democratic Republic (1st class) for their work on lignite coke & coal gasification in 1951.
The university has defined core fields that create a unique profile in education and research:
Exploring, researching, and (resourceful) use of the system Earth is the focal point of TUBAF's geosciences. The work is based on innovative and novel technologies, e.g. for finding resources, extracting them without unnecessary destruction, and resourceful processing.
Innovative materials for today's problems and uses are being developed. This includes the making, as well as recycling of these materials.
In this field, scientists develop new, green solutions to energy problems. Production, use, and storage of energy are researched in conjunction. Additionally, digitisation of the energy sector is another topic.
Environmental sciences focus on safety and conservation aspects, e.g. of drinking water, as well as on processes in the primary and energy industry.
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.
Economic topics arise from all of the fields mentioned above. Therefore, researchers in this field work on projects in pure economic disciplines and interdisciplinary projects alike.
TUBAF describes itself as a modern research university, especially focused on current and future ecological and econonmical challenges. Interdisciplinary research is emphasized. Most investigated topics revolve around alternative methods in resource extraction, energy systems, compound materials and recycling. The university is recognized worldwide for its expertise in geo and materials science.
TUBAF is in the Top 10 of universities in Germany based on thrd-party (private) funding per professor, according to a 2022 study. A number of patents and inventions by TUBAF-based researchers are recognized each year.
With SAXEED, a founders network, start-ups are being supported. The program has helped several successful companies like NaPaGen GmbH, Just in Time-Food GmbH and Rockfeel GmbH.
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 Ph.D. 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 is dedicated solely to the Student Body (Council).
13 masters programs (date: WS 2022/23) are taught in English:
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.
TU Bergakademie Freiberg is led by a rectorate, legislative decisions are made by the senate or extended senate.
The rectorate consists of rector, chancellor, and two prorectors for Education and Research, respectively.
The university has 6 subdivisions called faculties:
In winter 2022/23 3,471 students were enrolled at TUBAF, 85% in MINT-programs, with a 30% female share.
Freiberg is a highly international university. Among its c. 3500 students, 41% are from foreign countries. 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.
Unlike other historical universities in Germany, TUBAF has a campus with most of its buildings and facilities in close proximity. The oldest buildings lie in the historic (medieval) city center, among these the
The majority of the university's infrastructure can be found in the north of the city, including
The two main parts are connected by a so-called 'corridor' of recent buildings and greenery.
Additionally, a part of the university is located above and around the "Lehr- und Forschungsbergwerk Reiche Zeche", a historical mine, operated today as a teaching and research facility.
Other infrastructure includes the university sports centre, Lessing-Bau and the Scientific Diving Center.
Through its specialization, TUBAF has created a number of institutions, centers, and facilities with state-of-the-art research equipment. Unique in Europe is the still operational mine for teaching as well as underground exploration research. TUBAF is one of two German institutions, where scientific divers are trained.
TU Bergakademie Freiberg has an extensive network of regional and national cooperation partners in science and industry.
These include, among others, affiliated institutes as independent research facilities that cooperate with the university and complement its teaching and research offerings. These include:
In addition, there are cooperations and joint projects with non-university institutions.
In 2011, the university founded the joint Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology ("Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Ressourcentechnologie") with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf to develop technologies for raw material supply, utilization and environmentally friendly recycling.
TU Bergakademie Freiberg also has close cooperation in the field of electronic material production and material processing with the Fraunhofer Technology Center for High Performance Materials (THM) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg. It also operates a joint department of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology (IISB) in Erlangen.
The Institute of Geophysics at TU Bergakademie Freiberg operates the Berggießhübel Seismological Observatory.
TUBAF is also a co-initiator of the university-based "Internationalen Hochschulinstituts Zittau" (IHI), founded in 1993 and now a subdivision of TU Dresden, and the start-up network SAXEED.
In addition to direct cooperation with individual companies and institutions, participation in international networks and associations is an essential instrument for the transfer of ideas, knowledge and technology. The TU Bergakademie Freiberg is, among others, a member of:
In total, the university cooperates with 274 partner institutions in 74 countries. Connections to non-European companies and research institutions exist, among others, to Bolivia, Chile, China, Mozambique, South Africa, Vietnam and Mongolia.[12] In Mongolia and Kenya, for example, TU Bergakademie Freiberg is helping to establish the German Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology (GMIT) in Ulan Bator and the Kenyan German Centre for Mining, Environmental Engineering and Resource Management (CEMEREM) at Taita Taveta University College in Voi. It is also active in research and teaching with a wide variety of projects at universities in Russia*, South America, Asia and Africa.
All in all, TUBAF currently has 184 active partnerships (including 76 ERASMUS agreements & 18 interdisciplinary university cooperations), 755 official contacts with other universities worldwide, and Joint-/Double-Degree-agreements with partner universities in China, France, Ghana, Italy, Poland, Thailand, Czech Republic, Hungary and Ukraine. Contracts with Russian universities have been suspended due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The history of foundations for the Freiberg Mining Academy dates back to 1702, when a scholarship fund was established by the Saxon Elector at the Freiberg Mining Authority. In the further course, the university repeatedly received grants, which were initially primarily used to support students, and later increasingly for research infrastructure. After 1990, the idea of foundations and trusts, which had been interrupted after the Second World War, was revived. The following important foundations were established:
From the Dr.-Erich-Krüger-Stiftung, TUBAF received an amount of several millions, the largest endowment of a state university in Germany to date. The university uses these funds to equip research with large-scale equipment and to support doctoral students. On July 12, 2007, Peter Krüger, who had been appointed honorary senator of the Bergakademie shortly before, died in Munich. His wife Erika Krüger, who was made an honorary senator of the university in 2017, continues the foundation. Among other things, she made possible the establishment of the Graduate and Research Academy, the Freiberg Biohydrometallurgical Center and the Freiberg High Pressure Research Center. Erika Krüger also supports the university privately with great commitment and considerable financial resources - including "Deutschlandstipendium" scholarships for particularly committed students.
Since its foundation in 1765, TUBAF has had premises to house its models, equipment, specimens and instruments used in research and teaching. In addition to the library, where manuscripts, maps and cracks were also kept, the geoscientific collections emerged from the so-called "Stufenenkabinett". There was also a collection of models of innovative mining machines, which were produced in a separate workshop from 1840 and later housed in a separate model room. Over the last 250 years, a large number of new technical collections have been added. Today, they comprise more than one million scientific specimens, 15,000 scientific instruments and models, and about 1,000 works of art and cultural-historical objects.
The geoscientific collections of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg are among the ten oldest as well as most extensive geoscientific and mining collections in the world. They serve practical student education and training, complement research, and still embody enormous scientific potential today. About five percent of the total holdings are displayed in the show collections. These include a Mineralogical Collection, a Deposit Collection and a Petrological Collection in the Werner Building, a Paleontological and Stratigraphical Collection in the Humboldt Building and a Fuel Geological Collection near the Rich Colliery.
Since October 2008, TU Bergakademie Freiberg has also exhibited the world's largest private mineral collection in Freudenstein Castle. The permanent exhibition terra mineralia is on permanent loan from the Swiss patron Erika Pohl-Ströher and celebrated its tenth anniversary in April 2019.
The minerals of German sites of the famous Pohl-Ströher Mineral Foundation as well as special mineral specimens from the Geosciences Collections of TUBAF and minerals from the university foundation "Mineralogische Sammlung Deutschland" (Mineralogical Collection Germany), established in 2008, are on display in the Krügerhaus, which was renovated in 2012 by the Dr.-Erich-Krüger-Stiftung.The exhibition is open to the public.
In the Historicum, the university presents numerous exhibits, pictures and contemporary documents in a vivid way.
In the Forum Montangeschichte one can find since 2015 digitized and in full text freely available historical essays on Saxon mining and metallurgical history, including previously unpublished works, as well as current publications.
The 2021 QS World University Rankings by subject rated TU Bergakademie Freiberg No. 17 for Mineral and Mining worldwide and No. 3 in Europe. The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) ranked TU Freiberg 64th among German universities on research performance.