Third Annual Academic Ceremony (Press Release)

For the third time, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences warmly welcomed friends and patrons, lecturers, staff and students to the university’s main lecture theatre on the Kamp-Lintfort campus to mark its annual academic ceremony. As in the two previous years, numerous awards were presented once again this year.

Professor Dr Georg Hauck, Vice-President for Human Resources, Organisational Development and Diversity, welcomed the guests to the Annual Academic Ceremony, describing it as an excellent opportunity to recognise Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences as a diverse, outstanding and exceptional place to study, work and conduct research. He was therefore delighted to see that there continues to be such a high level of interest in Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences as an academic institution.

Vice-President Hauck used his speech to highlight the university’s successful development to date in all its aspects and to take stock of its current position. In doing so, he focused in particular on the growth achieved so far and the associated issues, as well as on the university development plan and the implementation of the initial steps and measures. In addition to the successful work in the areas of teaching, research, staff and organisational development, diversity and administration, Vice-President Hauck also highlighted the university’s relative youth, its spread across two campuses and its high degree of internationality as distinctive features of the university. Vice-President Hauck noted that meeting the resulting challenges was often difficult, whilst emphasising that something is only impossible if one does not try. He also stressed how important it is for everyone at the university to mutually accept, respect and value each other’s differences.

In his welcoming address, Professor Dr Aloys Krieg, Chair of the University Council, discussed the latest developments at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, but expressed his conviction that the university would successfully tackle the tasks ahead. He said it was well positioned and that the facilities at both campuses were excellent. The university’s international character and the shared determination to develop it further would also contribute to a solid foundation. Looking to the future, Professor Krieg urged the university to further strengthen its links with the regional business community.

The students Heather Ventresco, who is on the Bachelor’s programme in International Relations, and Sani Wahyudi, a student on the Bachelor’s programme in International Business and Social Sciences, presented four particularly interesting student projects – the HSRW Film Club, the ‘Bee-Friendly Spaces’ project, the student newspaper ‘Catcher on the Rhine’ and the Astronomy Club. Journalist Ludger Kazmierczak hosted the programme in a light-hearted manner. Musical accompaniment was provided by Naiomi Glanville (vocals) and Nathan Finn Licht, students on the Bachelor’s programme in International Relations.

During the event, students were also honoured in three award categories for their outstanding achievements and exceptional social commitment, whilst a research assistant was recognised for their special commitment to teaching.

Teaching Award 2018

The 2018 Teaching Award, centred on the theme of ‘Internationalisation of Teaching’, was presented by Professor Dr Marion Halfmann, Vice-President for Studies, Teaching and Continuing Education, to Dr Jan Niklas Rolf, a research assistant in Political Science specialising in International Relations at the Faculty of Society and Economics, for the teaching concept of the course ‘International Development Policy’. The Teaching Award, worth 4,000 euros, was awarded to a research assistant for the first time.

‘Best-Idea-Cup 2018’

Award Once again this year, students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences were invited to submit ideas for a start-up or an innovation project to the ‘Best-Idea-Cup 2018’ as part of the IGNI Lower Rhine Innovation and Start-up Initiative. More than 53 business ideas were submitted. Twelve of these were selected for an exhibition at the annual academic ceremony. The Förderverein Hochschule Rhein-Waal e. V., the Förderverein Campus Camp-Lintfort – Friends of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences in the District of Wesel e. V. and the Friends of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences – Campus Cleve e. V. each donated prize money of 500 euros. Professor Dr. habil. Jens Gebauer, Vice-President for Research and Knowledge Transfer, presented the awards.

Daniele Ingrassia, a student on the Digital Media Master’s programme in the Faculty of Communication and Environment, impressed the jury with his open-source laser cutter, ‘LaserDuo’. The device has two light sources. It can be used to process a wide variety of materials and objects of all sizes. It was developed in the FabLab at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Kamp-Lintfort.

Samy Ahmed, from the Bachelor’s programme in Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics, was selected for his e-bike battery ‘Verdinovo’. Made from recycled batteries, it powers e-bikes for up to 50 kilometres and is available at an affordable price for students.

Another prize went to Vladimir Priscepov from the Bachelor’s programme in Environment and Energy at the Faculty of Communication and Environment for his device ‘Ech0vision’. This portable device enables people with visual impairments to move about more safely. Operating on the principle of ultrasound, it uses sound to provide information on the distance of surrounding objects from the user.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Prize With the DAAD Prize, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences recognises the outstanding academic achievements of international students who are completing their studies in Germany and who demonstrate remarkable social or intercultural commitment. The winner was Phyllis Wamukore Ndugire, a student on the Master’s programme in Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics. In addition to her excellent academic achievements, she distinguished herself through her extraordinary social commitment – for example, by organising extracurricular events, largely on a voluntary basis, and founding the ‘HSRW MINT Girls’ group. Vice-President Hauck and Professor Dr Achim Kehrein presented the DAAD Prize, worth 1,000 euros.