In the past twelve months, a total of 610 students have obtained a Bachelor's degree and 124 a Master's degree at HNU - two of them with the top grade of 1.0.
HNU President opens her last graduation gala
After almost 20 years as President of HNU, Prof Dr Uta M. Feser opened the last graduation gala of her term of office: "Anyone who knows me knows that I prefer to look forward rather than look back - and I am proud of our graduates every year. But today I am perhaps even more so than usual," she said. With a quote from the Roman poet Ovid - "Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis" - "The times are changing, and we are changing in them", she drew a connection to the profound changes that characterise our time: from artificial intelligence to new working environments and global crises. In the midst of this change, the students had not only acquired knowledge and skills, but also demonstrated attitude and responsibility.
The President emphasised HNU's role as a place of exchange, innovation and international perspectives and also paid tribute to the international students who have enriched campus life. Looking to the future, she called on the graduates to actively help shape change: “The future belongs to those who help shape it.”
Greeting from Neu-Ulm's Lord Mayor
Neu-Ulm's Lord Mayor Katrin Albsteiger also welcomed and congratulated the graduates: “Tonight marks an important milestone in your lives - and I congratulate you wholeheartedly on your graduation. Your success is the result of expertise, dedication and your professors have also made a significant contribution to your graduation. Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences has not only become a place of learning, but also a home for many of you - a place where friendships have been made and experiences gained that will stay with you for the rest of your lives. Now a new phase begins: Take the opportunity to realise your potential, take on responsibility and help shape the future with your ideas. I hope that you remain curious and open-minded and that you go your own way with optimism and zest for life. Because success comes not only from knowledge, but also from courage.”
Neu-Ulm University Prize for outstanding final thesis
Sandra Zscharnack, a graduate of the Business Psychology (B.Sc.) programme, received the Neu-Ulm University Prize donated by the Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences' Friends and Patrons Association for her Bachelor's thesis on "Choice Overload". Steffen Fromm, board member of the association, presented her with the 1,000 euro prize together with HNU Vice President Prof Dr Julia Kormann. In her work, Sandra Zscharnack, currently also a lecturer at HNU, sheds light on the phenomenon of being overwhelmed by too many choices.
Honouring the student representatives for their commitment
Prof Dr Julia Kormann then honoured the members of the student representatives (StuVer) for their commitment. During their studies, they stood up for their fellow students and made a valuable contribution to a collaborative and diverse campus life. Nick Podstawski, Lavinia-Maria Rus, Vanessa Stumpf, Tamara Tabery, Laura Windbühler and Sandra Zscharnack received a certificate.
Presentation of certificates and traditional hat toss
After the faculty-specific presentation of certificates by the heads of degree programmes, the emotional highlight of the evening followed: the traditional hat toss on the steps of the Congress Centre. There were musical contributions from the HNU Choir under the direction of Markus Romes, from Jo! Loop during the champagne reception and dinner, and the band Road String Army at the end. The gala was hosted by HNU alumnus Sascha Vespermann.
