The degree certificates come 'fresh off the press' - for the first time, they were printed out at the Education Campus in Gengenbach this year, which only recently opened its doors to students. Bruno Litterst, who works at the registrar's office of the new campus and hands out the coveted certificates this evening, admits that the new printer finished the job "just in time."

"A second home in Germany"

Of the 423 certificates, one goes to Carolin Lutz, a 25-year-old graduate of the international Master's program of Energy Conversion and Management (ECM) who hails from the Palatinate city of Speyer. With a final grade of 1.0, "she's at the top of the crop," says ECM Dean Professor Dr. Peter Treffinger appreciatively. Ms. Lutz presents a speech on behalf of the graduates this evening and also addresses her fellow students who came to Offenburg University from abroad: "It has been so exciting to learn from you - to experience Indian equanimity and optimism, Iranian cordiality and South American friendliness, to name just a few." Her class included 24 international students from nine different countries. "I very much hope that you have come to see Germany as a 'second home'."

DAAD Award for Medical-Engineering Student from Cameroon

Medical-Engineering Student Pierre Christian Takam, too, has gained international experience in Offenburg. Born and raised in Cameroon, he decided to relocate to Germany for his university studies, which he had long intended to be in the medical sciences. Following a seven-month German language course at the University of Freiburg, he came to Offenburg University in 2010 to enroll in the newly established degree program of Medical Engineering and is currently completing his final project at the University Heart Center of Bad Krozingen. For his excellent academic performance Mr. Takam was awarded this year's DAAD Award, endowed with one thousand euros. University Rector Professor Dr. Winfried Lieber and DAAD President Wintermantel presented him the award at the graduation ceremony, with Professor Lieber also pointing out the Cameroonian's manifold extracurricular activities: "He is a committed cultural representative of the Association of African Students in Offenburg, plays tennis at the University, and serves as a tutor for other students."

Competitive advantage through internationality

Margret Wintermantel in her speech stressed the competitive edge Offenburg University has gained by going international: "English-language and French-language programs expand the local horizon enormously, and the longstanding relations with France have created a stable, invaluable basis." Referring to the places of origin of the 423 graduates, Rector Lieber said: "They perfectly reflect both the local impact and the pronounced internationality of Offenburg University." Pierre Christian Takam from Cameroon and Carolin Lutz from the Palatinate - as the latter said quite aptly, "It's a bit like the world is at home in Offenburg."

<link http: www.hs-offenburg.de aktuell fotogalerie _top external-link-new-window external link in new>Have a look at the photo gallery of the event.