14 October 2024

After an exceptional career and more than a quarter of a century of dedicated teaching and research at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, Prof Dr Sylvia Dannewitz is taking her well-deserved retirement. She was the first female professor at the then newly founded Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, where she contributed her expertise in environmental and recycling technology from 1 March 1999 and influenced generations of students.

From process engineering to professor - a path full of passion and change

Sylvia Dannewitz originally wanted to become a sports teacher, but life took her in a different direction: for health reasons, she had to reorient herself and began studying process engineering, specialising in the processing of mineral raw materials at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg. This decision proved to be groundbreaking. A practical year in tin ore mining in Altenberg was particularly formative, opening up her enthusiasm for processing technology.

After completing her doctorate in 1993 in the field of processing technology at the TU Freiberg, her path led her into research - even beyond the borders of the GDR. Research visits to Clausthal University of Technology laid the foundations for a long-standing collaboration that continues to this day. "Networking is the magic word and the most important basis for successful teaching and research," emphasises Sylvia Dannewitz.

A life for research - innovative projects and international collaboration

With her tireless spirit of research, Professor Dannewitz has not only inspired students, but also raised almost 4 million euros in research funding for the university. Professor Dannewitz has spent the most intensive years of her research together with Professor Jürgen Poerschke. Their research work, in particular on representative sampling of waste and the recycling of lightweight packaging, set new standards and led to significant innovations. A silver medal at the Nuremberg Inventors' Fair for the development of the press drilling method and the standardisation of new processes are just some of her successes.

Further successful research topics followed with the development of equipment for recycling lightweight packaging. Supported by a great research team, both professors were able to build up a national and international network on the topic of recycling. This ultimately led to a successful application in the national Zwanzig20 competition in 2013 with the first 1 million euro project for Nordhausen University. This project "Recycling 2.0 - the turnaround in recyclable materials" was an important milestone and ultimately the basis for the now established Thuringian Innovation Centre for Recyclable Materials. Waste as a supplier of raw materials and recycling as the most important building block for greater resource efficiency offer countless questions that need to be answered in both teaching and research in the future.

The well-attended Nordhausen secondary raw materials workshop has served as a popular discussion platform since 2008.

Sylvia Dannewitz is also particularly proud of her work as head of a study programme for job-seeking graduates with a migration background from Europe, Africa, Asia and America. Under her leadership, adults from all over the world successfully qualified in the field of recycling and environmental technology and subsequently embarked on successful careers.

Sylvia Dannewitz also cooperated closely with the University of Hebei in China.

What remains and what is missing

When asked what she will miss most about her job, Sylvia Dannewitz replies: "I will probably miss working with young people very much, because that's what kept me young." With a smile, she adds that working as a university professor is very fulfilling, but also demanding. Her decision to take early retirement came after she had overcome a serious illness - a step that was not easy for her.

A farewell full of confidence and foresight

Professor Dannewitz has a farewell message for the Nordhausen university community: "If you want to create something new, you have to change. This change starts in your own head. Those who stop learning and questioning their principles will eventually be overtaken by time." She sincerely hopes that the university masters the challenges of the future and continues to develop.

With her visionary thinking and tireless drive, Prof Dr Sylvia Dannewitz leaves a lasting impression and a valuable legacy that extends far beyond the walls of the university. Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is losing an outstanding personality, but is gaining the legacy of a pioneer whose work will resonate for many years to come.

We wish her all the very best for her new chapter in life!