THI Graduation Ceremony: An Evening of Pride, Honours and Future Prospects

The focus was not only on academic achievements, but also on the sense of community that has sustained many students over the years. In his opening speech, THI President Professor Walter Schober emphasised the responsibility that young academics will have to take on in the future: ‘To secure our prosperity, we need you as personalities who will help shape our future with innovative strength, motivation and a sense of responsibility. This is what we have trained you for. Be courageous - and seize your opportunities.’

Ingolstadt's Lord Mayor, Dr. Michael Kern, also addressed personal words to the graduates. Former Bavarian Minister President and Federal Minister Horst Seehofer was among the guests as a special guest of honour - he bid farewell on stage to the first graduates of the Neuburg Campus, whom he had already officially welcomed to Neuburg in 2021 at the opening of the Neuburg Campus.

The best graduates of the year were honoured: Pitt Philipp Michael Hugelmann (Mechanical Engineering) as best Bachelor's graduate, Charlotte Wierling (Applied Research in Engineering Sciences) as best Master's graduate. Prizes were again awarded this year for special theses: Jannik Füllgraf impressed with the development of a process-controlled application for invoicing and dunning in start-ups - a practical solution, honoured by the Sparkasse with 1,000 euros for its entrepreneurial approach. Annika Volkmann received the Lions Club prize for her work on digital accessibility and its importance for people with cognitive impairments - a topic of growing social relevance. The THI Sponsors' Association honoured an interdisciplinary project team from the Department of Technical Design and Industrial Engineering, which developed an innovative product to support older people in their everyday lives with “Kaiser Karl III - Living Bed for a Self-Determined Life”.

Not only the awards, but also an atmospheric stage programme provided goosebumps. Dancer Carolina Padrón from the GOP Variety Theatre in Munich, the Dance Fire formation from Irgertsheim, and the Basement dance group filled the stage with energy, rhythm, and passion - the audience responded enthusiastically.

The evening ended in a relaxed atmosphere with music, champagne, and good conversation. The guests partied until late into the night. It was a farewell in style - and a look ahead to everything to come.