This year, Prof Dr Thomas Link, Vice Dean of the Department of Engineering, and Ms Lynn Vincent, research assistant at the Institute of Renewable Energy Technology, nominated student Sandip Bhatta for the DAAD prize.

Sandip Bhatta is in his 4th semester of a Master's degree programme in Renewable Energy Systems at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and was quickly impressed by the high level of motivation with which he pursues his studies and his good academic performance.

Sandip Bhatta is currently writing his master's thesis at the AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC) in Gleisdorf, Austria. His work is part of an ongoing national research project called HIPSTERS (High Value Proteins via Sustainable Technologies from residual streams), which focuses on the energy- and resource-efficient application of an oscillating flow bioreactor embedded in a biorefinery approach. Mr Bhatta thus established a good contact with the institute and many promising projects and collaborations.

Throughout his academic career, Sandip Bhatta has consistently demonstrated excellence and commitment to his studies. He actively participates in class discussions and demonstrates his thirst for knowledge by asking insightful questions. He excels in teamwork by taking leadership roles, handing in assignments on time and communicating his ideas effectively.

Outside of his academic work, Mr Bhatta has actively contributed to the support of international students as a mentor for students. He has helped newly arrived students from various countries to settle in by organising accommodation and advising them on errands and equipment.

To summarise, Sandip Bhatta not only impresses with his good academic performance, but also with his remarkable commitment both within and outside the university.

The laudatory speech was given by Dr Pascal Leibbrandt, Dean of the Regenerative Energy Technology degree programme at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.