At Open Campus Jena 2026, our group welcomed school pupils and prospective students to the optics lab for hands-on insights into biophotonic instrumentation.
A first look at university life in Jena
On Saturday, 25 April 2026, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena hosted Open Campus Jena. The joint information day welcomed school pupils and prospective students. Visitors explored study programmes, research activities, and campus life in the “City of Light”. From 09:30 to 15:00, faculties and departments from both institutions presented their academic offers. The event helped future students gain early impressions of university life in Jena.
Hands-on insights into biophotonics
Our research group also joined Open Campus Jena, represented by Annegret Umann, Alexander Gümbel, and Lucas Just. The team opened the optics laboratory and presented current developments in biophotonic instrumentation. Visitors learned how optical technologies can support biological and medical research. They also asked questions about studying, research work, daily university life, and possible areas of specialization. The strong interest in our topics led to many lively conversations.
Several demonstrations made the research tangible. The team showed a multimodal imaging setup that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) with autofluorescence imaging. A practical tabletop arrangement helped explain how the system captures structural and molecularly relevant information. Visitors also received a short introduction to the principles of OCT. In addition, the group demonstrated 3D printing. Guests could take small printed objects home with them. Scientific posters gave a clear overview of the group’s wider research topics and current projects.
Connecting study choices with research
Open Campus Jena gives prospective students a direct way to experience the academic environment of the city. Jena has a long university tradition. Friedrich Schiller University dates back to 1558, while Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences was established in 1991. Today, the city combines higher education with strong regional expertise in optics, photonics, medical technology, and high-tech industry.
This setting offers students many opportunities to connect scientific training with future career paths. Events such as Open Campus Jena help young people make informed study choices. They also create early contact with the research landscape in Thuringia.
