BTU: Award for outstanding commitment in the STEM field

With the awards, BTU is sending a strong signal for equality, visibility and empowerment of women in traditionally male-dominated departments. Prof. Dr. Peer Schmidt, Vice President for Studies and Teaching at BTU, emphasizes: “The prize is more than just an award. It is an important symbol – and our award winners are strong role models for future generations of female STEM students.”

The “Best female STEM student on a Master’s degree course” award went to Elisa Korb, a student on the Master’s degree course in Industrial Engineering and Management with a specialization in Environmental Engineering.

Elisa Korb not only impressed with her excellent academic achievements, but also with her broad social commitment: she is a highly committed member of the Association of German Industrial Engineers (VWI), organizes events, represents BTU at nationwide events and collects donations for charitable causes. As a student employee at the Center for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus (chesco), she contributes her expertise in manufacturing and actively shapes the future of the research factory. She chairs the Industrial Engineering and Management Student Council and is a member of an appointment committee. She excels in her studies. She shows skill and creativity and works on topics at a technically demanding and mature level. Her work has already been published. She is currently completing an internship at Porsche Leipzig.

“Elisa Korb combines technical excellence with social commitment, team spirit with initiative and determination with openness to new ideas. She shows that STEM not only means mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology, but also courage, inspiration, curiosity and drive with social responsibility,” said the laudatory speech at the award ceremony

Smilla Kuhnt, a fourth-semester medical technology student, was honored with the “Best STEM Student in a Bachelor’s Degree” award. The jury praised her professional determination, her social commitment and her inspiring openness to intercultural and social issues: “Ms. Kuhnt shows what it means to dedicate yourself to the STEM field with curiosity, perseverance and passion.” In addition to her consistently excellent academic performance, she is involved on many levels: she tutors high school graduates in math and English, is an active participant in the Geek Girls program as part of the STEM Women’s Scholarship, is involved in BTU’s Buddy Program for international students and is active in student initiatives such as the Cottbus university group of the Association of German Industrial Engineers (VWI) and Otiwo e.V.

“With her commitment, her openness and her broad interest, Ms Kuhnt is a role model – for fellow students, for the university and especially for young women who are enthusiastic about technology,” was emphasized in the laudation at the award ceremony.

The special MINT prize was awarded to Archana Paimpillil Abraham – for her impressive combination of academic excellence, social commitment and personal strength. The award winner has already completed a Master of Technology at the National Institute of Technology in Tiruchirappalli, India, specializing in environmental technology. She gained five years of professional experience at the Consortium for DEWATS Dissemination (CDD) India in Bangalore. At BTU, she is studying for a Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Management with excellent grades and is also working as a research assistant and doctoral candidate at the Department of Circular Economy. In addition to her academic work, she is a volunteer in the Catholic parish and is active in a student-initiated group that promotes community and well-being among students.

“Archana Paimpillil Abraham’s ability to bring everything together under one roof is very impressive. It is not gender or origin that determines success,” the laudatory speech emphasized.

The “Best STEM Student at BTU” 

The awarding of the prize was made possible in particular by the commitment of the university’s Equal Opportunities Office. “With this award, we are specifically supporting young women who are excelling in STEM subjects, both in their studies and in their volunteer work. This sends an important message: BTU is a place where female STEM students can break existing stereotypes and continue to grow,” explains  Birgit Hendrischke, Central Equal Opportunities Officer at BTU. The award shows that excellence is multifaceted. The university sees it as an important task to make potential visible and promote it in a targeted manner. The “Best STEM Student” award has a signal effect. 

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Further links

👉 www.b-tu.de  

Photo: BTU, Ralf Schuster