Mar 24, 2025
Exemplary social commitment: Prof. Michael Kobel receives medal of honor from the City of Dresden
On March 22, 2025, Dirk Hilbert, Lord Mayor of the City of Dresden, awarded Prof. Michael Kobel the medal of honor for his exemplary voluntary work in migrant integration. Prof. Kobel has been teaching and conducting research as Chair of Particle Physics at TUD Dresden University of Technology since 2006. In 2021, he was appointed to the position of Vice-Rector Academic Affairs as part of the Extended University Executive Board.
“It is very rare that the pursuit of scientific knowledge, social commitment, and an unconditional willingness to stand up for societal cohesion all unite in one person – Michael Kobel,” said Prof. Ursula Staudinger, the Rector of TUD, in her laudatory speech. “Enabling open-minded communication across intellectual and ideological boundaries is yet another of Michael Kobel's aspirations. He consciously seeks out and converses with those who think differently to him. Not loud rejection, but the courage to engage in dialogue is what makes a real impact here,” said Prof. Staudinger.
Kobel is involved in the welcome initiative Willkommen in Löbtau, which promotes both the integration of migrants and social cohesion. As project manager of the association's project group on labor and training, he organizes help for migrants and refugees to enter the labor market, while at the same time supporting small and medium-sized companies in recruiting skilled workers in the region.
In 2023 alone, 60 individuals were able to find work, 25 were able to find training and 10 were able to find internships through these advisory services, events and get-togethers with potential employers. In 2016, the project group had already received the Dresden Integration Award for its commitment.
Kobel is also the founder of the Particle World Network (Netzwerk Teilchenwelt), which brings outstanding scientific achievements in experimental particle physics to schools. It allows young people and teachers to participate in cutting-edge research.
Alongside Prof. Kobel, the City of Dresden awarded the medal in the field of integration to Marita Schieferdecker-Adolph, who works for the Saxon Refugee Council Sächsischer Flüchtlingsrat, and Saied Karabij, from the Refugee Witnesses association Zeugen der Flucht Dresden.
Background information: Medal of honor of the City of Dresden
The medal of honor of the City of Dresden honors people who have made a special and lasting contribution to the city on a voluntary basis. It has been awarded since 2022. The medal was designed by Tilo Kügler from Meissen. The obverse shows the city's coat of arms, the Frauenkirche Dresden, and a laurel branch as a symbol of honor. The reverse is adorned with a field of laurel leaves and bears the inscription: “For outstanding voluntary commitment – the Lord Mayor” (Für Verdienste im Ehrenamt – der Oberbürgermeister). The medal is made of 60 grams of solid silver and has a diameter of five centimeters.