A look back: WW Summer Party 2024
On Thursday, July 11, 2024, the summer party of the Department of Materials Science took place under blue skies and pleasant temperatures.
This year’s ceremony was marked by a special event: An honorary doctorate was awarded as part of it.
Department spokesperson Prof. Dr. Mathias Göken gave the opening words of welcome. He looked back on the past year as well as forward to future developments in the field of study courses, in particular the newly established Bachelor’s degree course in AI Materials Technology, which will start in the coming winter semester.
Prof. Dr. Kai Willner, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, also warmly welcomed the guests in the packed lecture hall. He emphasized his delight that the next generation of academics were receiving just as much recognition as outstanding scientists and thus led on to this year’s presentation of the study awards.
Awards for outstanding academic achievements
This year, Bachelor students Christina Helbing (MWT) and Sophia Peters (NT) received the Semikron Study Prize, which was awarded by Ms. Oberndörfer and Clemens Vennebusch, also a graduate of the Materials Science and Engineering course at FAU.
Prof. Dr. Peter Weidinger awarded the Brose Prizes to Master’s students Yara Gerigk and Anna Hartmann for their outstanding academic achievements. The prize money is linked to a planned stay abroad, which the two students intend to spend in France and Portugal respectively.
The department prizes were awarded by Prof. Göken. Alexandre Nozadze and Tobias Wagner received the prizes for the best Bachelor’s degrees. One Master’s degree prize each went to the students Jana Reh, Johannes Voß and Nicolai Schneider. Last but not least, Susanne Heid and Larissa Wahl were honored with a prize for their excellent doctorates.
Highlight of the event: the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Professor Kakimoto
This was followed by the highlight of this year’s event: the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Prof. Dr. Ken-ichi Kakimoto from the Nagoya Institute of Technology (NITech).
FAU President Prof. Dr. Hornegger spoke the introductory words and then handed over to Prof. Dr. Kyle Webber, who has had a scientific relationship with Prof. Kakimoto for many years, to deliver the laudatory speech.
He briefly outlined the path that led to the close relationship between FAU and Prof. Kakimoto. It began back in 1999 with a meeting between Kakimoto and the former Chair of the Department of Glass and Ceramics, Prof. Dr. Peter Greil, and led to a large number of collaborations, projects and exchange programs between FAU and NITech.
“This is empirical proof that science is really born out of personal contacts and the waves and ripples that we make today can affect the lives and careers of people we haven’t even yet met, many years later,” Prof. Webber succinctly summarized this remarkable path.
Prof. Webber also highlighted Prof. Kakimoto’s many achievements, which include his scientific work in the field of functional ceramics as well as his commitment to research communities and intercultural links between German and Japanese scientists.
He then handed over to the guest of honor, who thanked him warmly for the warm words and then presented his research in his keynote speech on “Lead-free Piezoelectrics – Challenges and Chances”.
Afterwards, Prof. Dr. Hornegger solemnly awarded him an honorary doctorate.
After a subsequent champagne reception with atmospheric saxophone music and original Japanese sweets, the WW summer party took place in the shade between the trees with live music, drinks and delicious food for meat lovers and vegetarians.
