Around 70 graduates from the Faculties of Life Sciences and Technology and Bionics came together at the end of July to celebrate the successful completion of their degrees. A number of awards were also presented during the graduation ceremony.
Prof. Dr. habil. Tatiana Zimenkova, Vice-President for Internationalisation and Diversity, congratulated the graduates on their academic achievements on behalf of the Executive Board. In their welcoming addresses, the deans of the two faculties, Prof. Dr. PD Sylvia Moenickes and Prof. Dr. Alexander Struck, encouraged the former students to stay connected to their alma mater and to keep it informed of their future endeavours. Prof. Dr Peter Simon and Prof. Dr Neil Shirtcliffe ensured a festive atmosphere and provided entertaining commentary.
This year’s DAAD Prize was awarded to Bianca White, a student on the Bioengineering BSc degree programme. The DAAD Prize recognises outstanding academic achievement by international students studying in Germany. The prize winner not only excels academically but is also actively involved in a wide range of activities within the university. As vice-chair of the Senate and a member of the Student Council, White champions the interests of her fellow students and plays an active role in shaping campus life.
Jigar Ashokbhai Desai received the Graduates’ Prize from the Friends of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences e.V. for his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Once a semester, the Friends of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences e.V. honours the best graduate from the Faculty of Technology and Bionics. The prize winners impress not only with their excellent grades, but also through their collaboration with regional companies. The chair of the Friends’ Association, Eva Folkerts, emphasised that Desai’s Master's thesis on H₂ purification systems was of an exceptionally high standard and also contributed to regional knowledge transfer. The thesis was produced in collaboration with the company Peer Energy from Geldern.
The award from the Lower Rhine Chemical Industry Association (Unternehmerschaft Chemie Niederrhein e.V.) was presented to Dr Selma Mietz, a graduate of the Master’s programme in Health Sciences and Management. The award was presented by Dr Ralf Wimmer, Deputy Chief Executive of the Lower Rhine Business Association. Mietz completed her degree on a part-time degree programme whilst working as a junior doctor – despite working shifts, she managed to graduate with top marks. She is also involved as a volunteer in the ‘Gesund macht Schule’ project. Her Master's thesis focused on the development of a cardiovascular prevention programme for the district of Kleve.
The faculties’ house band, Orange Green, provided the musical entertainment for the event. Another highlight of the programme was the science slam by Björn Flockau, a Research Associate at the Faculty of Life Sciences. The event concluded with a ‘Hats off!’ celebration on the steps of the Audimax building in Kleve.
