The melting furnace in the steel hall of the German Occupational Safety and Health Exhibition (DASA) is illuminated in orange. A wall of light clearly shows what today is all about: "We focus on Students". The slogan of Fachhochschule Dortmund. The academic anniversary celebration is the highlight of the university year and recognizes the outstanding achievements of the graduates.
"I am proud of you. You really got stuck in during your studies. You went to your limits and beyond," said Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel, Rector of Fachhochschule Dortmund, praising the 24 award winners sitting with their families in the festive atmosphere of the Stahlhalle. "They are not only the specialists of tomorrow, but also role models for those who are just starting their studies."
Celine Carstensen-Opitz, Chairwoman of Fachhochschule Dortmund's Sponsoring Society and Board Member of VOLKSWOHL BUND Versicherung, also expressed her appreciation. Her advice to the graduates: "Keep the joy with which you approach topics." The award-winning theses cover a wide range of topics: for example, intelligent motor control, sustainable living in rural areas, specialists in inpatient child and youth welfare and biomechanical aspects of different sitting positions in Paralympic cross-country skiing.
For the best Bachelor's and Master's theses in each Faculty of Information Technology, the sponsoring organization honored: Hatim Barioudi (Information Technology), Lars Erbach (Computer Science), Lennart Grünsel (Design), Benjamin Hantke (Faculty of Applied Social Studies), Cedric Hentschel (Mechanical Engineering), Amelie Kurz (Architecture), Anna Romero Müller (Business Studies) and Finn Springer (Electrical Engineering). In their words of thanks, students praised the "personal and competent support of the lecturers" at Fachhochschule Dortmund, the university's commitment to the region, the modern technical equipment and the open laboratories. "The atmosphere is respectful and informal and characterized by a supportive spirit," said one award winner.
Interviews with the award winners
Research and teaching award
The Fördergesellschaft also supports application-oriented teaching and research and recognizes work that solves problems and improves processes. The 2024 Research Prize was awarded to Prof. Dr. Martin Kiel and Prof. Dr. Stefan Kempen from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. They are working on energy storage systems that are operated at up to ten times higher voltage in order to reduce losses.
The prize for excellent teaching also went to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering: to Prof. Dr. Simone Arnold. The students praise her clear teaching, particularly in the important basic subjects of Physics I & II. She is always open to requests and suggestions for topics and conveys the content in a lively, digital and particularly practical way. "Even though I'm actually a theoretical physicist," jokes the visibly moved award winner on stage at the 2024 Academic Year Celebration.
Further appreciations of this evening
- Prize of the Fördergesellschaft for outstanding cooperative doctorate:
Sven Steffen Becker (Computer Science) - Award of the Soroptimist International Club Dortmund:
Jennifer Brockmann (Computer Science) - Cornelia-Därmann-Nowak-Prize of the Soroptimist International Club Dortmund Hellweg:
Patricia Lüttringhaus (Mechanical Engineering) - Prize of the Rudolf Chaudoire Foundation:
Faculty of Electrical Engineering: Sebastian Römbke, Malte Sträter, Alexander Waldorf
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: Tim Blömker, Lukas Lübbert, Matthias Menne
Faculty of Information Technology: Deborah Hochbein, Leonie Maleszka, Inga Scheidemann - Prize of the KARL KOLLE Foundation:
Jan Kotzian and Svenja Sophia Potthast (Mechanical Engineering) - Heinrich-Frommknecht Prize:
Laura Marx (Business Studies) - Prize of the German Academic Exchange Service:
Khadija Kadiri (Computer Science)
Interviews with the award winners
