Since November 2024, 49 Bachelor's and 95 Master's students have successfully completed their studies at the Faculty of Automation and Computer Science. Around half of them celebrated this milestone together with their families and university staff in the Audimax in Wernigerode.

Among the first to congratulate the graduates was President Prof. Dr. Folker Roland, who, in times of growing scepticism towards facts and science, emphasised the contribution of Harz University of Applied Sciences to social development in the region. Keynote speaker Daniel Brückner, Managing Director of the IBM Client Innovation Centre Germany, then encouraged the graduates to seize the opportunities that arise in their future careers: “Go through life with courage, curiosity and proactivity. Then you will achieve a lot.” Prof. Dr Andrea Heilmann, Dean of the Faculty of Automation and Computer Science, took up this impulse and encouraged graduates to actively shape the world: “Only together will we overcome the current challenges. Contribute your knowledge and skills to solving problems.”

After the bachelor's and master's degrees were awarded, Member of the State Parliament Angela Gorr presented the prize of the Harz University friend’s association for outstanding theses to Leon Hoerstel (Smart Automation) and Andreas Hofmann (Data Science). In his bachelor's thesis, Leon Hoerstel focused on the development of an intelligent control system for hot water that uses surplus solar power, thereby directly reducing energy costs. In his master's thesis, Andreas Hofmann investigated the extent to which neural networks are suitable for mapping traffic flows spatially and temporally and for making forecasts.

Leon Hoerstel (second from right) and Andreas Hofmann (second from left) were awarded the prize by the Harz University friend’s association.

The association “Friends of the Faculty of Automation and Computer Science” awarded the Walter-Gießler-Prize to Nick Schünemann. In his thesis for the part-time bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Engineering, Schünemann used the example of an existing wholesale market in Blankenburg/Harz to investigate the specific possibilities for using renewable energies. At the same time, Data Science student Mats Volkmann was honoured for his master's thesis, which explored how the Harz University’s driving simulator can provide the most realistic driving experience possible and how test subjects can be optimally prepared for the simulation.

Nick Schünemann (centre left) and Mats Volkmann (centre right) were awarded the Walter- Gießler-Prize by the association “Friends of the Faculty of Automation and Computer Science”.

The list of award winners was rounded off by Yash Gugaliya, a student in the English-language master's programme Technology and Innovation Management. He was awarded the German Academic Exchange Service Prize – DAAD Prize for short – for his academic achievements and his commitment to the student council.

This year's DAAD Prize went to Yash Gugaliya (centre), pictured here with President Prof. Dr. Folker Roland (left) and Vice Dean Prof. Dr. Thomas Leich.

At the end of the ceremony, Sascha Mohr, the first graduate in Engineering Education, and Dharal Vyas (Technology and Innovation Management) spoke on behalf of all alumni. Sascha Mohr emphasised: "The programme challenged us, sometimes overwhelmed us at first, but always helped us progress. We never walked this path alone. We could always count on the support of our professors, university staff, families and friends.” Dharal Vyas added in his speech: “We are fortunate to have studied in an environment that always encouraged us to grow personally."

The event was accompanied by music from the guitar duo “Expineto”, consisting of Prof. Dr. Frieder Stolzenburg, Vice-Rector for Research and Equal Opportunities, and Volker Steinhoff.

For the third time, the graduation ceremony was broadcast live on YouTube and translated into English. The recorded livestream is available here.