Farewell and new beginnings: Graduation ceremony 2025

In a festive atmosphere, a champagne reception in the newly designed hybrid learning and working area - created as part of the pioneering TH funding project REDiEE - opened the special day. Prof Matthias Hochgürtel, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, then presented the graduates with their degree certificates in the large lecture theatre on campus. They are now part of a large alumni network of more than 1,000 graduates who have successfully followed this path at the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

‘We are proud to send another year of Bachelor's and Master's graduates on their way to what is sure to be an exciting academic career in industry or science.’

In his speech to the graduates, Prof Matthias Hochgürtel looked back on their time as students, which was characterised by two moves and temporary study at two locations. He thanked the former students for their academic contribution in practical projects and theses as well as their commitment to a social, personal and lively exchange on campus.

"Whether in practical work or in joint learning: Today more than ever, ideas, approaches and solutions are created through networked work and interdisciplinary research," said Prof Matthias Hochgürtel.

Two graduates also had their say at the farewell ceremony: Florian Hein, a graduate of the Bachelor's degree course in Applied Chemistry, gave an insight into the topic of his thesis on the "Synthesis and characterisation of thermoplastics based on polyoxazolidinone". His thesis was supervised by Prof Matthias Eisenacher and Dr Eyleen Becker, Covestro Deutschland AG.

Victoria Behnke, a Master's graduate from the Drug Discovery and Development programme, reported on her eventful studies at two locations and her numerous tasks as a student assistant and tutor as well as her active committee work, including as a member of the Faculty Council. Fortunately, Victoria Behnke will remain with the faculty as part of her doctoral thesis with Prof Heiko Schiffter-Weinle, which has already begun.

Following the official presentation of the Bachelor's and Master's certificates, the graduates celebrated with friends and families as well as professors and project supervisors in the canteen on the Leverkusen campus.