On Wednesday, 30 October 2024, students Daren Tchouansi, Aileen Ruff and Aleksandar Aleksić were honored at a ceremony for their outstanding volunteer work and excellent academic achievements: Daren Tchouansi, an international student from Cameroon on the Bachelor's degree course in Business Informatics, received the €1000 prize from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for his commitment to the university. "Daren Tchouansi is the only student to have accompanied the extensive two-year diversity audit process at HWG LU from start to finish. In addition, he has been particularly involved in the university's mentoring program for two years to make it easier for other internationals to start their studies," said Kerstin Gallenstein, explaining the jury's decision, adding: "Daren is now also available to all students at the university as a student of trust."
Students Aileen Ruff and Aleksandar Aleksić each received the Rhineland-Palatinate Scholarship Foundation's honorary award of €600 per month for 6 months. Aileen Ruff, a student on the Bachelor's degree course in Social Work, is actively involved in voluntary childcare and at the Oppenheim food bank, where she works in the food distribution every week, alongside her studies and her job as an afternoon supervisor at a secondary school. "The diversity of personalities and cultures really grabbed me. It's very enriching," says the student, describing her experience at the food bank.
Aleksandar Aleksić, a student on the Master's degree course in Logistics and an alumnus of the Bachelor's degree course in Logistics with the current dream average grade of 1.1, is involved with the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) in Ludwigshafen alongside his studies and work as a student trainee. Aleksić reports that this was triggered by the flood disaster in the Ahr valley in 2021. The THW with its comprehensive range of services is a great enrichment, and the comrades there are now "friends for life", says Aleksić.
The prizes were presented by university president Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller and Kerstin Gallenstein. "There were a lot of good applications this year. This is a very encouraging sign. We are so proud of you!" said Kerstin Gallenstein in her laudatory speech. "Volunteering opens up and broadens the academic perspective. Your experience from your voluntary work then benefits the university as a whole," added University President Piller.
The DAAD prize recognizes outstanding international students for their academic achievements and commitment and was awarded this year for the 28th time in the university's history. The honorary award recognizes students who have made a special voluntary contribution to society. Applications for both prizes can be submitted by all members of the university. The selection is made by an interdepartmental jury - this year consisting of Vice President Prof. Dr. Edith Rüger-Muck, Christiane Weinerth, Helen Probst, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Krieger and Prof. Dr. Martin Klose.
Professional contact:
Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society
Kerstin Gallenstein
Head of the International Office
Phone:0621 5203 - 187
E-mail: kerstin.gallenstein@hwg-lu.de
