H-BRS bids farewell to graduates in 2025

"This day is a milestone - for you, the students who have achieved so much in recent years, for your families who have supported you, and of course this occasion is also a highlight for us as a university every year," said University President Marion Halfmann. In a witty, humorous speech peppered with personal experiences, she then spoke about the topic of success and its various aspects, starting with graduation.

Halfmann: Success often less a question of ability than of will

In terms of what awaits the graduates now, success is often less a question of ability than of will, said the university president. Expertise, as acquired during studies, provides a huge boost, but those who work hard can ultimately overtake those who are only half-hearted. "This doesn't mean that you have to constantly work overtime and do more than others, but that you are ready for action, maintain contacts, ensure your own visibility, get involved and simply do it when necessary. It's not about diligence, it's about attitude," said Halfmann and encouraged the graduates to use all their energy to make their working life a success.

Working environment is changing rapidly

At the same time, she pointed out that today's graduates would most likely be working in completely different fields in just a few years - because their working environment would change faster than ever before due to rapid technological and other social developments. "Instead of holding on to goals and plans for a long time, I recommend that you familiarise yourself with how to make good decisions. Deciding means: choosing something - and excluding others," says the university president. The ability to decide something, especially under uncertainty and time pressure, and then to stand by it, is probably much more important for success than the most sophisticated plan. In most cases, it is also the many small decisions that make the difference. 

"Be successful, but above all be happy"

"I wish you, dear graduates, all the energy and determination you need to make small, courageous decisions every day that will bring you closer to your own path. Be successful, but above all be happy. Thank you for allowing us, Bonn-Rhine-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, to accompany you on your journey and I wish you all the best for everything you undertake in life. Take care," said the university president.

Speech by Hiba Hamadache and Vitus Redmann

Alumni Hiba Hamadache (degree programme Sustainable Social Policy) and Vitus Redmann (Mechanical Engineering) spoke on behalf of the students, played off each other in their joint speech. They talked about discussions under echoing ceilings, seemingly endless scripts and the coronavirus pandemic with its online meetings. But they also looked back on a time full of new impressions and experiences - for Vitus Redmann, for example, with the student team BRS Motorsport and Hiba Hamadache at an international summer school in Kosovo.

"Studying as a privilege and a challenge"

"Our studies were both a privilege and a challenge at the same time. But we mastered this challenge together, in a wonderful community, for which we would like to express our sincere thanks," said the pair in their speech. "No matter what comes next, this graduation is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter."

"Today we toast to our time at university"

Marie-Louise Kerpa later took to the stage in two roles - she is the Chair of the General Students' Committee (AStA) and also a graduate. Together with Clarissa Roßbach, Chair of the Student Parliament, she addressed the graduates as a representative of the student body. "Today we toast to your time at university, even if it was challenging - together with your fellow students, you have shown that cohesion is not an ideal, but a lived reality at our university," said Kerpa. The two talked about their experiences with digital teaching, fast food rewards after passing exams and the best parties - but also about housing shortages and the necessary social and financial support from the AStA. "It's probably the best present you can take away with you: the memories of a degree programme with lows, but significantly higher highs, with moving moments, encounters and even better people," said Roßbach. 

Performance by Cologne's "Grüngürtelrosen"

The Cologne men's choir "Grüngürtelrosen" ensured a good atmosphere during the official part of the event, which was moderated by Sebastian Tittelbach. Graphic recorder Eva Ewerhart captured the event in pictures.

The picture of the day: the traditional hat toss

The official part of the graduation ceremony ended with the picture that many will remember from this day: all the graduates present gathered on the stage and threw their Bachelor's and Master's hats into the air. The picture also shows University President Marion Halfmann, Vice President Teena Chakkalayil Hassan, Vice Presidents Peter Muck and Johannes Steinhaus, Chancellor Angela Fischer, deans and professors. While the graduates from the individual departments took to the stage, there were brief speeches from Dean Professor Iris Groß (Department of Engineering and Communication), Deans Professor Sascha Alda (Computer Science), Professor Richard Jäger (Applied Natural Sciences) and Professor Norbert Seeger (Economics) as well as Professor Remi Maier-Rigaud (Sustainable Social Policy). To commemorate their time at university, the graduates were then presented with a decorative certificate as a symbol of their degree, before hitting the dance floor with DJ Marius.

Donation campaign for the library of the Ukrainian partner university

During the ceremony, many guests also pulled out their wallets for H-BRS's current donation campaign in favour of its Ukrainian partner university in Chernihiv: under the title "Books for Friends", H-BRS is helping to purchase urgently needed specialist literature and improve the library, which is also an important meeting place for students in Chernihiv who otherwise study online.  

The graduation ceremony was supported by Kreissparkasse Köln, Sparkasse KölnBonn and MLP Finanzberatung SE.