The DAAD Prize, which is applied for annually by Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, is awarded to international students who distinguish themselves through above-average academic achievements and special social or intercultural commitment.

Nicson Jacobo Andrade Lugo has been studying for a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences since the winter semester 2021/22. As one of the first graduates of the Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences' university entrance examination, which enables international applicants with indirect university entrance qualifications to study at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, he recently completed his studies within the standard period of study.

He was nominated by Prof Klaus-Peter Neitzke and laboratory engineer Heidi Schell, who know him and his achievements from courses, student project work and as the supervisor of his final thesis. Both say: "During his studies, Mr Andrade has distinguished himself with good and very good technical achievements as well as a high degree of independence and a structured approach to student projects."

His final thesis project finally took him to an industrial company in Tanna, near Schleiz (southern Thuringia). There he developed a new automation solution for an existing automatic stacking machine. He planned and programmed the functionalities of the automatic stacking machine independently and put the machine into operation with the help of his colleagues.

Prof Neitzke sums up: "It wasn't just us - the company was also very satisfied with his work and signed an employment contract with him directly after his studies. This makes him a successful example of how the regional economy can benefit from international specialists like Mr Andrade."

This year's award winner, Ms Rutuja Koli from India, has been studying the English-language Master's degree programme "Environmental and Recycling Technology" at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences since the winter semester 2022/23. "During her studies, Ms Koli impressed with her excellent performance, a high degree of independence and social and intercultural commitment at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences," says Prof. Dr Michael Rutz, Dean of the degree programme, who nominated Ms Koli for the award.

Mrs Koli was already learning German intensively before her arrival in Nordhausen. Thanks to her independent way of working and self-organisation as well as her extracurricular commitment, she was able to get involved early on as a tutor and mentor for new international students at the university and in student projects. Ms Koli also proactively sought contact with the regional economy and was initially employed as a working student at Habau Deutschland GmbH at the Heringen / Helme site during her studies. Her potential was also recognised there and she was offered a project for her Master's thesis. In terms of content, the thesis deals with the substitution of plastics used in production with more sustainable, wood-based materials, which serves both to reduce the amount of waste and to reduce production-specific emissions. Mr Keilholz (Head of Research and Development at Habau) and Professor Rutz, who are both supervising Ms Koli's Master's thesis, are confident that Ms Koli will successfully complete her work within the standard period of study by the end of 2024.