VDI sponsorship award ceremony 2026 at the INCYTE research center

Since 1986, the VDI sponsorship awards of the Siegen district association have been recognizing outstanding academic achievements in engineering degree programmes at the University of Siegen. The 40th award ceremony for the 2025 application year was held together with the Center for Sensor Systems (ZESS) at the University of Siegen's new INCYTE research center on May 7, 2026. Outstanding final grades, a determined approach to work and social skills in the form of voluntary work are the hallmarks of the award winners. The VDI sponsorship awards are endowed with 1,000 euros each in all 5 categories. The winners were Leonie Müller (M.Sc.), Luis Benno Dollischek (M.Sc.), Geethan Murali (B.Sc.) and Justus Krell (B.Sc.).

After the official welcome by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Himmel, Board Member for the Coordination of Universities/Institutes of the VDI Siegener Bezirksverein e.V., and Prof. Dr. Peter Kraemer, spokesperson for the ZESS, there were words of welcome from Prof. Dr.-Ing.Andreas Kolb, Prorector for Research, Infrastructure and Networking at the University of Siegen, Sabine Bechheim, Managing Director of Education and Foundation at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Siegen, and Dr. Matthias Irle, Executive Vice President Business Unit Metals at EMG Automation GmbH in Wenden.

The award winners then presented their theses. This year, Ms. Leonie Müller (M.Sc.), a student on the Master's degree course in Civil Engineering, received the award. In her Master's thesis, she dealt with the very topical subject of "Development of a generalized AI for dynamic flood forecasts". She was supervised by Prof. Dr. Jorge Leandro. Luis Benno Dollischek (M.Sc.) studied mechanical engineering with a specialization in "International Product Engineering and Management". His thesis is entitled "Thermoplastic Foam Injection Molding of Recycled Polyamide: An Industrial Feasibility and Material Analysis. He was supervised by Prof. Dr. Engel. Justus Krell (B.Sc.) is a graduate of the dual Bachelor's degree course in Computer Science and wrote his Bachelor's thesis at the company Muhr und Bender KG in Attendorn on the "Development, realization and implementation of cross-location digital signage". Mr. Krell was supervised by Prof. Dr. Roland Wismüller. Geethan Murali (B.Sc.) completed his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with a thesis on "Model-Based Optimization of Wedge Control for Hot Rolling Mills". He was supervised by Prof. Dr. Nelles.

In addition to their outstanding scientific quality, all of the award-winning theses have a very high level of application relevance. The work of Mr. Krell and Mr. Murali was also carried out in cooperation with companies in the Siegen Chamber of Industry and Commerce district and is therefore a good example of cooperation between companies and scientists at the university.

The VDI is committed to promoting the next generation of engineers. The focus is on young people's interest in technology. In addition to participating in the VDI-IHK Oberstufenpreis, the activities include the annual funding of two German scholarships as well as the awarding of sponsorship prizes and support for the PhD Research Forum at the Center for Sensor Systems (ZESS) at the university

After the official part, guests and prizewinners got to talk in a relaxed atmosphere over hearty snacks. A guided tour of the new research center was offered at the same time. The board of the VDI Siegener Bezirksverein e.V. congratulates all award winners on their impressive achievements
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Prof. Dr.-Ing.