They both emphasized the importance of international degree programs in their speech. Lea said that "apart from the energy focus, choosing this program has allowed me to not only have great friends at my side, but the chance to meet people from all over the world, to study, learn, celebrate and conceptualize with them, among many other things. . . . First and foremost we learned how to communicate clearly, over and over again, across individual contexts. Try to make an appointment with a team of Mexicans, Frenchmen, Pakistanis, Colombians, Germans, Jordanians, and others, to develop a concept together supplying Offenburg with energy without releasing a gram of carbon dioxide - and expect about two hours before the team will actually be complete."

Ramiz Haidar Salim Qussous was awarded this year's DAAD Prize by University Rector Winfried Lieber. It is endowed with 1000 euros and awarded annually to an international student for their outstanding achievement as well as social commitment. Ramiz graduated as the top international student of his class, with a final grade of 1,3. He is taking up doctoral studies at the Institute for Sustainable Technical Systems (INATECH) in Freiburg.

The guest speaker at the graduation ceremony was Dr. Matthias Haun. At ITK Engineering, Dr. Haun is responsible for the development of "cognitive solutions" and their introduction in a wide variety of industries worldwide; from January next year, he will assume a shared professorship at Offenburg University.