On 17 February 2023, the international graduates received their Master´s certificate. Traditionally, the hand-over ceremony took place in Esslingen Old Town Hall.
Together with family members, friends, professors, lecturers and staff the graduates celebrated the end of the 18 month-long exciting journey, in a joyful and emotional atmosphere.
The Director of the International Centre and Graduate School, Dr. Siegfried Zürn, extended his warm welcome and said, „Today is a very special day for all who are gathered here to celebrate your achievement. Today is your big day, Dear Students“. He recalled the first impressions about Esslingen and the State of Baden-Württemberg. „In September 2021, 83 students from 29 countries started their master´s course with the Orientation Programme. Beside an intensive German language course they visited the Zeppelin museum at Lake Constance, the Mercedes museum, TV tower in Stuttgart and toured the old cities of Esslingen, Tübingen, Nuremberg and Ulm.“
Dr. Michael Flad, MBA Academic Director, started with the personal degree hand over. He proudly announced that almost 60 percent of the MBA graduates already have a job-contract in their pocket.
Prof. Mathias Oberhauser, ASM Academic Director, handed over the certificates to the graduates. He was glad that the “City Award of Göppingen” went to an Automotive Systems Student.
Last but not least, Dr. Stefan Wagner, DDM Academic Director, said „I remember it exactly, the „back to normal“ moment – being able to hold the Academic Welcome face-to-face and lecturing in-person.
Special appreciation was given to the class speakers for their support throughout the 18 months:
International Industrial Management (MBA)
- Praveen Kumar Arumugam
- Olga Staka
Automotive Systems (M.Eng.)
- Sarah El Harrak Bennouna
- Basel Alaa Ahmed Ali Mostafa
Design and Development in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (M.Eng.)
- Firat Bozkurt
- Lukas Nonnenmann
Warmest congratulations to the Class Best for their outstanding academic achievement:
- Sonia Veerapen, International Industrial Management (MBA)
- Amit Agrawal, Automotive Systems (M.Eng.)
- Quentin Bruyère, Design and Development in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (M.Eng.)
Dr. Elias Knubben, Head of Corporate Research and Innovation at Festo SE & Co. KG, underlined that in a rapidly changing world, the working environment has become more complex. Training and further education is the right investment.
“You are well prepared! You have acquired the necessary skills at Esslingen University of Applied Sciences to meet the challenges”. He congratulated all the fresh master´s degree holders and presented the Festo Prize for an excellent master’s thesis and excellent academic achievement to three graduates:
Festo Award 2023:
- Catalina Bustos Gonzalez, International Industrial Management (MBA)
- Constance Leraud-Reyser, Automotive Systems (M.Eng.)
- Sergi Alcala Santiago, Design and Development in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (M.Eng.)
Standing at the podium Antonio Balboa, Vice President Sales and Applications Powertrain Solutions at Robert Bosch GmbH, remembered his own graduation at the Hochschule Esslingen 29 years ago. He emphasized that one has to work hard to receive the Bosch Award as BEST GRADUATE of the international master’s programmes.
Bosch Award 2023:
- Sonia Veerapen, International Industrial Management (MBA)
Sonia closed the official part of the ceremony by giving a short summary about her study time in Esslingen.
She thanked the staff members for helping her with all administrative issues and Prof. Michael Flad for his support in academic affairs, Prof. Karin Melzer for supervising her master´s thesis.
She recalled learning German, going on excursions and working hard during her studies.
„I will never forget the friends I made here. I don’t know whether we will meet again but I really enjoyed the time over the last one and a half years and thank you all for it. This will remain in my memories“.
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!
