"You have a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the world!" - Graduation Ceremony of the Winter Semester 2022/23

2023-06-06

On 17th May 2023, the time had come: The bbw Hochschule - University of Applied Sciences celebrated the graduates of the winter semester 2022 / 23 in the festive ambience of the Langenbeck-Virchow-Haus. A total of 107 graduates received their well-deserved certificates. Among them were Bachelor's and Master's graduates from the faculties of economics, industrial engineering and engineering sciences.

At 2 p.m. on the dot, the first graduates gathered in the wardrobe to slip into their robes. Two hours later, the highly expected event finally began: the graduation ceremony, which is undoubtedly one of the most important events in the life of a student. Ursula Schwill, Chancellor of the bbw Hochschule, warmly welcomed all the graduates present, their friends and family members, as well as all the other guests, and ceremoniously opened the event. In his laudatory speech, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hafer, Rector of the bbw Hochschule, addressed motivating words to the graduates: "You, too, have increased your knowledge with your now completed studies and perhaps already made a contribution to the further development of society with your Bachelor's or Master's theses. We want to celebrate this success with you today. This historic hall is just right for that."

This year's speech was given by Diana Anastasija Radke, Managing Director of KVL Bauconsult GmbH. In her speech, she talked about her professional career and the principles she had set for herself along the way. She also passed these on to the graduates. "First: Be prepared to dare and to fail. Secondly, be gentle with yourself and with others. And thirdly, your life is not open heart surgery."

After a short musical performance by Siri Svegler and Thomas Walter, Melisa Minca, entrepreneur Fashion Upcycling, gave a concise keynote speech and shared her own experiences as a founder and gave valuable tips and advice. Melisa Minca: "I never studied business, I never studied fashion, but here I am, about to show at Berlin Fashion Week for the first time this July. During my Sustainable Development studies, one of the first things we've learned is that the journey is more important than the destination."

The highlight of the day was about to begin: the presentation of the certificates! In groups, the graduates were called on stage by Ursula Schwill after having completed their studies. An enthusiastic applause from the guests present accompanied them on their way to receive their certificates from their degree programme director. Afterwards, the outstanding achievements of the students were honoured: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hafer and Diana Anastasija Radke honoured the best of the year and of the programme in the Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

On behalf of all graduates, Sonja Deutschendorf, who graduated in the field of Trade Management and eCommerce, gave a moving speech of thanks. The graduate talked about her path to bbw Hochschule and how she mastered her studies with her fellow students, even during the Corona pandemic. "I still remember my first lecture, Human Resource Management with Prof. Kirch.", Sonja Deutschendorf reminisced. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree, she went straight on to study for a Master's degree in International Technology Transfer Management at the bbw Hochschule. We wish her every success!

Ahmad Alsaid, a graduate in Electrical Engineering - Control and Rail Automation Technology, spontaneously took the word and touched all the guests present with his story and thanked the bbw Hochschule, his fellow students, friends and family.

Before the graduates could toast their graduation together with their families, friends and professors and staff of the bbw Hochschule, the traditional hat toss ceremony took place. We congratulate all graduates on their graduation!