Athletics scholarship holders 2018/19
Brand new and high-performing: the first TUD athletics scholarship holders
They are high achievers in their athletic disciplines and are beginning their path to academic success: Elisabeth Lowke, Jessica Tiebel, Jakob Dieckmann, Björn Günther and Moritz Kreuseler have been awarded the first athletics scholarships at TU Dresden. They are highly competitive athletes in rowing, luge, ultimate frisbee, weightlifting and short-track speed skating, and they study at the Faculties of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Physics.
The first athletics scholarship recipients Elisabeth Lowke (rowing, front left), Moritz Kreuseler (short-track speed skating, rear left) and Björn Günther (weightlifting, front right) were welcomed by TUD Chancellor Dr. Andreas Handschuh (rear right). Jessica Tiebel (luge) and Jakob Dieckmann (ultimate frisbee) were unable to attend the photo shoot, as they were training abroad.
In July 2018, 20 students applied in the introductory round of these scholarships, which are also one-of-a-kind in Germany. Prerequisites for applying for a scholarship were well above-average grades combined with outstanding athletic achievements at the state level (Landeskader) or equivalent. Moreover, social or community involvement or involvement with TU Dresden’s university sports were criteria in the final decision.
“Academics and competitive athletics are not always easy to combine,” says TUD Chancellor Dr. Andreas Handschuh. “The double strain of studies and training can leave little time for side jobs and cause additional financial stress on account of competition fees and athletic equipment. As a partner university of top-level sports, TU Dresden seeks to provide support by establishing and awarding these five one-year athletics scholarships, helping student athletes at TU Dresden to keep their academic and athletic careers in balance.” The scholarship provides individualized financial support so these athletes can achieve top performance in academia and sports.
“We were delighted by the interest in and response to this debut call for applications,” says Prof. Stefan Odenbach, Chairman of the University Sports Advisory Board and Dean of Studies of the largest degree program at TU Dresden – Mechanical Engineering. “The scholarships support these outstanding athletes and above-average students at TUD, and beyond that, they strengthen the university’s already strong radiance in the public eye and serve to advance TUD as an appealing place of study.”
The TUD athletics scholarship is awarded for a full year and is made up of customizable building blocks to suit the needs of each scholarship holder individually. It includes €300 per month in financial support as well as additional aid of up to €2,400 per year for competition fees, food or athletic equipment. A new call for applications is issued each year.