[3] Different departments have been established in order to expand research, teaching, and studies, as well as for the improvement of its national and international affiliations.

Lutz Köhlert (1969–1973), Peter Ulbrich (1973–1980), Konrad Schwalbe (1980–1986), and Lothar Bisky (1986–1990) were successors until the reunification of Germany.

[11] Over the years, many movies have been filmed at the university, including Netto, And Along Come Tourists, Move, Combat Girls, Little Thirteen, Breaking Horizons, and Rakete Perelman.

[citation needed] In 2011, the Academy of Film and Television sponsored an award for special artistic and scientific achievements.

Jürgen Böttcher was the first graduate of the university to win an award "for outstanding international successes in film and painting, for artistic freedom and political responsibility".