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[Translate to English:] © Jürgen Huhn​/​TU Dortmund
Around 800 Guests in the Audimax

Academic Anniversary Celebration Focuses on Impact in Society

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A photo of the packed auditorium at the TU Dortmund University's annual Academic Anniversary Celebration. Rector Prof. Manfred Bayer is standing at the lectern. © Roland Baege​/​TU Dortmund
Numerous prizes were awarded in front of around 800 guests in the Audimax.
At the Academic Anniversary Celebration of TU Dortmund University on 16 December, President Prof. Manfred Bayer described before around 800 guests in the Audimax a vision of the future in which TU Dortmund University, together with Ruhr University Bochum, will carry knowledge from the universities into society even more strongly than before and bring it to bear there. Traditionally, numerous prizes were also awarded at the festive year-end event: for outstanding theses and dissertations as well as for exceptional commitment to teaching and research.

In his opening address, President Bayer first looked back on the joint application of the two universities in Dortmund and Bochum as University Consortium of Excellence. “With our Ruhr Innovation Lab, we want to take new paths together and create a joint space for experimentation that opens up new freedoms in research,” said Bayer. The shared vision is to develop innovative solutions to the pressing questions of our time together with partners in the Ruhr region and in dialogue with actors from business and society. As a current example of how universities can carry knowledge into society, the President presented a special exhibition project.

Auf dem Foto ist Rektor Prof. Manfred Bayer während einer Rede zu sehen. © Roland Baege​/​TU Dortmund
President Prof. Manfred Bayer

From 27 January 2026, visitors at Zeche Zollverein will be able to experience in a “holographic theater” the testimonies of Holocaust survivors and interact with their holograms. The project HOLO-VOICES of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia involves, among others, researchers from the Institute of Journalism and the Department of Computer Science. “Keeping the memory of the Shoah alive is more important today than ever,” emphasized Prof. Bayer with regard to the worldwide increase in antisemitism.

Outstanding achievements in research, teaching, and studies

After the Rector’s welcome, numerous awards were presented. The TU Dortmund University teaching prizes in four categories opened the ceremony. The prize for large courses with more than 60 participants was awarded to Prof. Sascha Pöhlmann of the Department of Cultural Studies for his lecture “Introduction to American Literature and Culture.” He intends to invest the prize money of €1,000, donated by the Association of Friends of TU Dortmund University (GdF), in the Game Lab he has established at the department. The award for courses with fewer than 60 participants went to Dominik Speck of the Institute of Journalism. In his seminars, he enables students to take excursions with international relevance and gain insights into the work of NGOs. In the category “Student Engagement”, Kjell Machalowsky and Tarje Mohrdieck of the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering impressed with a digital learning space for the lecture “Higher Mathematics 3,” which brings together engineering students and mathematics instructors. The prize for teaching-support engagement of staff in technology and administration was received by Uwe Grützner of the Department of Spatial Planning. The photographer regularly supports students and instructors with his expertise in drone flight and enables, for example, socio-spatial analyses.

Together, GdF chairperson Guido Baranowski and Vice President Academic Affairs Prof. Wiebke Möhring presented the Best-of-the-Year Prizes for outstanding theses at the 17 departments. The prizes went to: Florian Grell, Giulia Fazzino, Josefine Brindöpke, Lukas Paul Pradel, Annalena Weissert, Luzie Klöckner, Tobias Schrage, Niklas Falkenberg, Nora Burlon, Alexander Schlief, Timo Lukas Woschko, Caro Pawlak, Julia Dorothea Hayh, Wiebke Malin Peckedrath, Caroline Rak, Zoe Henzler, and Josephine Hübner.

For outstanding doctoral theses, Vice President Research Prof. Nele McElvany awarded the dissertation prizes to: Dr. paed. Monika Post, Dr. rer. nat. Timo Gräßer, Dr. rer. nat. Elie Benchimol, Dr. rer. nat. Astrid Pontzen, Dr. rer. nat. Marieke Stolte, Dr.-Ing. Ali Mansuri Torshizi, Dr.-Ing. Hendrik van der Valk, Dr. rer. nat. Kay Stephan Wohlfahrt, Dr. rer. pol. Moritz Kasper, Dr.-Ing. Birge Kahl, Dr. rer. pol. Jana Liesenhoff, Dr. phil. Bernadette van Berk, Dr. rer. nat. Astrid Hönekopp, Dr. phil. Max Magnus Gab, Dr. phil. Jakob Martin Henke, Dr. phil. Andreas Feilen, and Dr. rer. soc. Philipp Kadelke. With the Research Prize of the TU Dortmund University Young Academy, the Vice President honored Dr. Nataliia Kopteva of the Department of Physics for her research on novel perovskite semiconductors this year.

As keynote speaker, economist Prof. Arthur Seibold of LMU Munich spoke about safeguarding social systems and presented empirical perspectives on the future of pensions. The Big Band "Groove m.b.H." of TU Dortmund University, directed by Michael Kröger, performed four pieces at the Academic Anniversary Celebration, fascinating the audience. The evening traditionally ended with a reception in the main cafeteria. As in previous years, the Academic Anniversary Celebration was supported by the Association of Friends of TU Dortmund University.

On the Ruhr Innovation Lab

On HOLO-VOICES

Impressions from the event:

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