The Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (abbreviation: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, TUBAF) is a public university of technology with currently 3655 students in the city of Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. Its focus is on exploration, mining & extraction, processing, and recycling of natural resources & scrap, as well as developing new materials. Today, it's the oldest university of mining and metallurgy in the world. History Before 1945 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, then called 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 Year's War. Before the establishment of the Bergakademie (mining school)", four similar institutions had been founded in other countries: Potosí, Bolivia (1557-1786); 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 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. 1945 to 1990 After World War II, education of future engineers and scientists, as well as research were quickliy 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