Graduate Academy awarded with Hochschulperle prize for the ZEISS Foresight Challenge

The Stifterverband honors the Graduate Academy (GA) of TUD Dresden University of Technology for its ZEISS Foresight Challenge with the University Pearl of the Month (Hochschulperle) in October 2025. The challenge was implemented in cooperation with the ZEISS Innovation Hub Dresden. It offers doctoral candidates and postdocs from all disciplines the opportunity to develop future scenarios for their research and show what added value scientific findings can bring to society in the coming decades.

The ZEISS Foresight Challenge was aimed at young researchers from all departments - from STEM subjects and Business Administration and Economics to the social sciences and humanities. Participants acquired skills in strategic foresight, interdisciplinary collaboration, science communication, and knowledge transfer, among other things.

"We recognize the GA & ZEISS Foresight Challenge of TU Dresden as an innovative format that combines scientific qualification, business practice, and future-oriented methods," said the Stifterverband jury in its statement.

Following the successful launch, another Foresight Challenge is already planned for the winter semester 2026/27 in cooperation with the ZEISS Innovation Hub Dresden.

Hochschulperle | Stifterverband

In 2025, the Stifterverband will award prizes to projects that combine research and innovation and promote cooperation between science and industry. With the "Hochschulperle of the Month" award, exemplary projects will be made visible nationwide to inspire other universities.

Further information:

• Hochschulpere 2025 | Stifterverband
• GA & ZEISS Foresight Challenge
• Recap GA & ZEISS Foresight Challenge

Contact:

Peggy Groß
Press Officer Stifterverband
Email: 

Angela Böhm
Deputy Head of Unit Graduate Academy of TUD
Email: