Tassels to the left and caps in the air - congratulations to our graduates

2017-01-11

This year, too, Berlin's Estrel Conference and Congress Centre provided he stage for the graduation celebration for Bachelors and Masters from the bbw University of Applied Science. On 11 November 2016, almost 200 graduates from the current summer semester received their degrees and the bachelor's and master's certificates. For the first time, their number included bachelor graduates from the dual course of Engineering Sciences Electrical Engineering specialising in Control and Safety Systems, offered by the bbw University of Applied Science with Deutsche Bahn and other partners from industry.

After a brief welcome from the Chancellor of the bbw University of Applied Science, Jürgen Weiß and the Managing Director of the bbw Academy, Dr. Andreas Forner, the Rector of the bbw University of Applied Science, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gebhard Hafer, held the laudation and Michael Fritz, the Managing Director Personnel of Deutsche Bahn International, held the ceremonial address.

Dr. Forner presented the congratulations of the bbw managing directors with an equally heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the graduates through their studies. He said: "Although the shortage of managerial staff is a risk to the economy, we are letting you go today to the companies with which we jointly developed your courses. Be proud of yourselves and your achievements and be pleased with your degree, which is recognised all over the world. Industry is waiting for you." Prof. Hafer congratulated the graduates and looked back on the matriculation celebration two, three or four years ago in Berlin's Haus der Wirtschaft. He said: "At that time, hardly anyone was thinking of today. Now you are sitting here, happy to have completed your studies. Then, globalisation and climate change, demographics were the biggest mega trends with problems and developments that we wanted to prepare you for. Now, they have been joined by Industry 4.0, diversity, migration, digitisation, as well as individualisation and many other issues. But don't be afraid of the future, you will master it with creative ideas. You are well prepared. Good luck and every success in your future life." An original speech was held by the Managing Director Personnel of Deutsche Bahn, Michael Fritz. He used anecdotes to illustrate that "the challenges in working life" were bigger for him than those during his studies. He outlined how he started his career as a lawyer in a consulting firm and said which experiences had taught him the most. He made it clear that what has always been important for him was why someone does something, what motivates him. Anyone who can answer this question has his sights firmly on his goal and "that decides on their success." He was sure that our graduates will remember the story of an employee buying an apple for his boss. They showed that those who ask more than question about a task, who make decisions in a team, often find the better solutions.

The thanks to the university were expressed by the former part-time student Malissia-Angie Last, who gained her degree in Economic Sciences specialising in Property Management, and Christian Riedel our former full-time student of Economic Sciences in Health Management. Both portrayed their time at the university as an important experience and wonderful time. They thanked the professors, lecturers and university employees for exciting lectures, kind support and open ears in all situations. "I have made friends for life here and learned a lot; I am grateful for that,", said Christian Riedel. He had completed a placement in China with a "Deutschlandstipendium" (Germany Scholarship)and was looking forward to starting his career: "Our studies were the first important chapter in our stories, and this today is our first happy ending. Let's go out of here today and continue to write our stories."