Annual celebration: Faculty IV of the University of Siegen celebrates graduates

The Faculty of Science and Technology (Faculty IV) of the University of Siegen held its traditional annual ceremony in the festive setting of the Apollo Theater in Siegen. Around 100 graduates received their certificates there - accompanied by their families and friends. The young people came not only from Germany, but also from India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Ghana and Syria, among others. In the academic year 2024/25, around 500 Bachelor's and Master's degrees and almost 60 doctorates were awarded at Faculty IV. All departments were represented at the ceremony: Chemistry-Biology, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mathematics and Physics.

In his welcoming address, Dean Holger Schönherr highlighted the achievements of the young academics. "You are the center of attention today. You really deserve it." Siegen's Deputy Mayor Angela Jung emphasized the close cooperation between the city and the university.

Graduates, teaching staff, family members and invited guests jointly honored outstanding achievements in research and teaching. The Faculty IV research prize was awarded twice this year - to Dr. Peter Frohn-Sörensen and Dr. Daniel Sahm. Both were honored for their practical work in the engineering sciences. Frohn-Sörensen conducts research in the field of forming and flexible manufacturing technology. His focus is on the use of recycled high-performance plastics in the production of highly stressed automotive components. Sahm develops intelligent monitoring solutions for the construction industry. Using piezoelectric sensor technology, he detects corrosion in screw connections or damage to rail support points, among other things - a contribution to the safety and longevity of critical infrastructures. The two prizewinners are planning joint projects in the future. The first idea was born at the annual celebration.

The teaching prize also went to an engineer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karsten Kluth from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Students praised the fact that he always has an open ear for them, even if a topic does not fall within his area of responsibility. In his laudatory speech, Tom Becker from the Mechanical Engineering Student Council described how Kluth not only provides answers, but also perspectives: "Anyone who goes to Mr. Kluth with a problem rarely leaves his office with just an answer, but usually with several contacts, concrete approaches to solutions and - last but not least - a strengthened feeling that their concerns have been taken seriously."

The keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Hans Merzendorfer, molecular biologist and Vice-Rector for Studies, Teaching and Quality Management at the University of Siegen, led into the world of the "sugar code". The complex communication system of cells - for example through the biopolymer chitin - has great potential, for example in medicine. The program was hosted by Markus Krczal from WDR.