Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences awarded the coveted DAAD prize for the eleventh time. This prize, which is awarded annually by the German Academic Exchange Service, is aimed at international students who distinguish themselves through special academic achievements and remarkable social or cultural commitment.

This year, Prof. Dr Dieter Genske, Dean of Studies in the Geotechnical Engineering and Energy-Ecological Urban Redevelopment department, nominated a particularly committed and high-performing student for this award. Following a selection process, the university awarded the DAAD prize to Mr Giovanni Pradipta from Indonesia.

Mr Pradipta has already completed his Bachelor's degree in Energy and Environmental Informatics at the university and is now in his fifth semester of a Master's degree in Energy-Ecological Urban Redevelopment in Nordhausen. He was quickly won over by the high level of motivation with which he pursues his studies, his good academic performance and his excellent German language skills.

As part of his Master's thesis, Mr Pradipta is leading an international research project with the aim of making an Indonesian model region (the Moluccas Province) independent of fossil fuels. He is leading a team of Master's and Bachelor's students that he has put together independently and very efficiently. He is also in constant contact with experts in the Moluccas Province (administration, university, energy supplier, etc.). The project is so promising that Springer-Verlag will publish the atlas as an international reference book.

In addition to his studies, Mr Pradipta is a member of the board of the youth department of the Sportjugend Nordhausen, a youth leader in the DJK-Sportverband Thüringen and an active coach in three sports clubs (including special badminton courses for children). He is Vice President of the Indonesian Student Association in Thuringia and in this capacity is the contact person for administrative, university-related and personal problems. In addition, Mr Pradipta has been an English teacher for children and adults at Lernstudio Nordhausen since 2016, specialising in Business English and Conversation, and helps with the IT administration of the Lernstudio. Finally, Mr Pradipta is also a member of the International Advisory Board of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.

All in all, Mr Pradipta not only impresses with his good academic performance and very good knowledge of German, but also with his remarkable commitment both inside and outside the university and has absolutely earned the award.