University of Siegen celebrates Young Talent Day 2025

In 2025, the University of Siegen once again hosted the Young Talent Day - a highlight of the university year that focuses on exceptional talent and outstanding commitment. For the first time, the awarding of scholarships was combined with the presentation of the Young Talent Awards. The university presented six study awards and 78 scholarships to students in the Audimax. "We are honoring people who are shaping and actively helping to shape our university today and in the future," emphasized Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese, Rector of the University of Siegen and Chair of the Student Support Fund. "The scholarships and prizes give you the opportunity to develop your talents, pursue your ideas and expand your involvement in the social sphere and at the university."

The six young talent awards went to students and doctoral candidates who had produced particularly innovative and academically excellent work in the past academic year. The University awarded the prizes of the Dirlmeier Foundation (Historian Prize and Sponsorship Prize), twice the IHK Prize, the Prize for Young International Scholars and the DAAD Prize. The award ceremony was hosted by Prof. Dr. Petra Vogel, Prorector for Students and Junior Faculty, Diversity and International Affairs. In his speech, Walter Viegener, Chairman of the Siegen Chamber of Industry and Commerce and laudator for the IHK Prize, emphasized the role of junior research for local companies: "With the IHK Prize, we are recognizing application-oriented research with high relevance for the regional economy. This close connection is a central concern for us. Great ideas form the basis for their practical implementation."

The University of Siegen also awarded 78 scholarships from the Studierendenförderfonds Siegen e.V. and the Deutschlandstipendium. The recipients are among the university's most talented and socially committed students. They come from all areas of all four Schools. Ira Dexling, Managing Director of the Student Support Fund, emphasized the importance of the support: "The scholarship gives you the freedom to study and do voluntary work. When reading the applications, I often wonder where the students find the time for this commitment. My applause therefore goes not only to the sponsors, but also to the scholarship holders for their commitment."

Now in its 19th round of awards, the Student Support Fund is able to support committed students with a scholarship of 300 euros per month, half of which is financed by private sponsors and half by the federal government. In addition to financial aid, the program also includes further education opportunities, for example in the area of soft skills. Since 2008, the university has already awarded a total of 1,400 scholarships.

The winners of the young talent awards

Prizes of the Dirlmeier Foundation

• Sponsorship award: Dr.-Ing. Jonas Immanuel Hölzer (Mechanical Engineering), dissertation: "Optimization of non-linear laser-based measurement methods for the characterization of reactive flows" - reviewer: Prof. Dr. Thomas Seeger, laudator: Prof. Dr. Noyan Dinçkal
• Historian Award: Dr. Milan Weber (Department of Modern and Contemporary History), dissertation: "Leap into History": Historical staging and the popularization of history in digital games - reviewer: Prof. Dr. Angela Schwarz, laudator: Prof. Dr. Noyan Dinçkal

Prize of the IHK Siegen

• Lars Maczey (Physics), Master's thesis: "Hardware Characterization for the Construction of a Compton Camera Prototype" - Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Ivor Fleck, Laudator: Walter Viegener
• Dr. Md Shajalal (Business Information Systems), Dissertation: "Towards Human-Centered Actionable Explainable AI-enabled Systems" - Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Gunnar Stevens, Laudator: Walter Viegener

Prize for young international researchers (donated by the Society of Friends and Sponsors of the University)

• Dr. Kiara Hansenne (Physics), dissertation: "Exploring Quantum Information Theory through Graphs and Networks" - reviewer & laudator: Prof. Dr. Otfried Gühne

DAAD Prize (for special academic achievements and remarkable social or intercultural commitment)

• Juliana Berrío Uribe (student on the Engineering of Hydro-Environmental Extremes Master's degree course) - nominator & laudator: Prof. Dr. Jorge Leandro

The sponsors of the Deutschlandstipendium at the University of Siegen at a glance:

• Mechanical Engineering Alumni
• Achenbach Buschhütten
• Atto-Tec GmbH
• Bub Grundstücksgesellschaft "Altes Zeughaus am Schloss" property company
• Christa and Dieter Lange Foundation
• Christian Goswin Foundation
• Deutsche Bank Siegen
• dhpg Tax & Management Services
• Drive Consulting
• Engelhardt & Weese Engineering Office
• Friends and Sponsors of the University of Siegen e.V.
• Gebr. Kemper GmbH & Co. KG
• Hagen Tschoeltsch Foundation
• Heinrich Georg GmbH - machine factory
• i-soft GmbH
• IWIS with the Johannes Winklhofer Foundation
• Johannes and Dorothea Ross Foundation
• Klaus and Heidi Vetter Foundation
• Klemm Bohrtechnik GmbH
• Kölner Gymnasial- und Stiftungsfonds
• Kostal
• Kreutz, Pirlet & Partner Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH
• Lindenschmidt Umweltservice KG
• Mennekes Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
• Novelis
• SDFS - Smart Demonstration Factory Siegen
• Siegener Forum für Rechnungslegung, Prüfungswesen und Steuerlehre e.V. (Siegen Forum for Accounting, Auditing and Taxation)
• SMS group
• Siegen Savings Bank
• Thomas Magnets
• TMT
• VDI - Siegen District Association
• Association of Friends of Rotary Siegen Castle
• VIEGA GmbH
• Volksbank Sauerland eG
• Volksbank in South Westphalia eG
• VPI - Landesvereinigung der Prüfingenieure für Baustatik NW e.V.
• Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe e.V.
• Wolfgang Dreger Foundation
• ZONTA Club Siegen Area
• Private individuals and emeritus professors