Day of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering 2026

On June 19, 2026, more than 360 guests celebrated the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering Day at TU Dresden. At this year’s ceremony in the Heinz-Schönfeld Lecture Hall, 80 graduates from the degree programs in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, and Natural Materials Technology, Material Science, and Textile Machinery and High Perfomance Material Technology were formally sent off into their professional careers; one postdoctoral researcher was congratulated on successfully completing his habilitation, and 17 doctoral candidates were congratulated on successfully defending their dissertations; and prizes totaling 13,000 euros were awarded.

Opening Remarks

Prof. Thorsten Schmidt, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering, opened the event with a welcoming address and congratulated all participating graduates. He emphasized that the broad and fundamentals-oriented education at the faculty prepares graduates as well as possible for the challenges of an increasingly complex and dynamic working world. At the same time, he encouraged the graduates as they embark on their future paths: “We are convinced that you are now as well-equipped as possible for the tasks ahead!”

The TUD’s Vice-Rector Academic Affairs Across the Life Course, Prof. Niels Modler, also welcomed all the guests in attendance. In his speech, he highlighted the exceptional achievements of the graduates, who had earned their bachelor’s, doctoral, or postdoctoral degrees with great dedication and perseverance. He emphasized that these achievements are not only an important milestone in the graduates’ lives but also a valuable contribution to shaping society.

Commencement Address

The keynote address for the event, titled “What It Takes to Get There,” was delivered by Bettina Voßberg, Managing Director of Packwell GmbH & Co. KG and a member of the University Council at TU Dresden.

Farewell and Graduates’ Speech

Organized by degree program, the graduates of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering then took the stage one by one and were personally honored there by the Dean, Prof. Thorsten Schmidt. In addition to their diplomas, they also received from the Vice-Dean, Prof. Hans Christian Schmale, an MW coin specially designed for the class of 2025/2026 as a special memento of their graduation.

After all the graduates had been “sent off,” Laura Biertümpfel addressed the audience and delivered the commencement speech on behalf of the graduating class.

Teaching Awards

Since 2010, the Award for Innovation in Teaching has honored a faculty member in the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering. This year, for the first time, the Award for Research- and Practice-Oriented Teaching was also presented to a faculty member of the faculty. At this year’s Faculty Day, Prof. Cornelia Breitkopf, holder of the Chair of Thermodynamics, received the Award for Innovation in Teaching. Niclas Haupt and John Kühnemuth from the Mechanical Engineering Faculty Student Council (FSR) praised her extraordinary commitment to teaching, as well as her ability to bring theory and practice to life and to actively challenge and support students.

The second teaching award went to Dr. Sara Marchini, a Research Associate at the Chair of Chemical Process Engineering. The Faculty Student Council representatives praised, among other things, her interactive teaching approach and the dedicated and warm manner in which she interacts with students.

Manfred Hirschvogel Prize

The Manfred Hirschvogel Prize is awarded to the best dissertation in the field of mechanical engineering from the previous calendar year. The prize money of 5,000 euros was awarded to Dr. Paul Dominic Seibert for his dissertation titled “Microstructure Reconstruction from Differentiable Descriptors – A General Framework and Adapted Algorithms.” His dissertation advisor, Prof. Markus Kästner, holder of the Chair of Computational and Experimental Solid Mechanics, and Armin Maudrich Pischel of the Frank Hirschvogel Foundation, shared the laudatory speech.

Friedrich & Elisabeth Boysen Foundation Encouragement Award

With this award, the Friedrich and Elisabeth Boysen Foundation and TU Dresden honor particularly outstanding dissertations by young researchers in the field of environmental engineering and environmental protection. Dr. Johannes Manthey received over 5,000 euros for his work titled “Bubble Formation Due to Supersaturation in the Cooling Circuit of PEM Electrolysis.” Prof. Michael Beckamm, Dr. Manthey’s doctoral advisor and holder of the Chair of Energy Process Engineering, presented the award to Dr. Manthey.

Franz Stolze Prize

The Franz Stolze Prize (1,500 euros) for outstanding scientific theses in energy engineering was awarded to Dr. Lena Elspaß for her doctoral dissertation titled “Thermomechanical
Stress in the Insulation System of Long Rotating High-Voltage Machines” and Edward Effendi for his master’s thesis titled “Design and FEM Analysis of an Additively Manufactured Lightweight Screw Compressor Rotor.” The prize is sponsored by Dr. Manfred Freimark and Gudrun Stolze (granddaughter of Dr. Franz Stolze). The laudatory address was delivered by Prof. Christiane Thomas, holder of the Chair of Refrigeration, Cryogenics, and Compressor Technology.

Oscar Kjellberg Award

With the Oscar Kjellberg Scholarship Award, the Kjellberg Foundation honors outstanding student work in the fields of joining technology, thermal cutting, separation, and de-joining. Valentin Jakob Megerlin (“Hot Press Welding of Aluminum Alloys”) and Baldur Oskar Döring (“Sensor-Based Monitoring of Molten Pool Conditions During Directed Energy Deposition (DED) of Recycled Ti-6Al-4V Powder”), and Paul Sanderbrand (“Testing of a Demonstrator for TIG Multi-Cathode Welding”). Nicole Dönicke, a member of the Kjellberg Foundation’s Executive Board, congratulated the three graduates on their outstanding achievements.

Dr. Mike Thieme, from the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology, moderated the event, and the Schooko duo—featuring saxophonist Timur Valitov and guitarist Stefano Giordani—provided musical accompaniment for the ceremony. The evening event had a genuine cafeteria vibe, with cold drinks, a photo wall, and many great conversations in beautiful summer weather. DJ Max Forberger created a party atmosphere with his music selection.

“Mechanical Engineering Faculty Day” was organized in collaboration with the Association of Friends and Supporters of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering at TU Dresden e.V. Special thanks go to the professors of our faculty who provided financial support for the event, as well as to the many helping hands from the Faculty Student Council.