ECRI Graduation ceremony

4.11.2025 | DIT press office/THD-Pressestelle

Another cohort of 234 successful graduates from nine degree programs is leaving the European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT). That is 32 more than last year. At the graduation ceremony in the town hall in Pfarrkirchen, 75 master's and 30 bachelor's degree holders were personally bid farewell. A number of former graduates were invited for the first time.

In accordance with international customs, the new graduates appeared dressed in black gowns and hats. Just under half of them were able to attend in person to receive their certificates. The rest were able to follow the ceremony via livestream. After all, the graduates are among the 1,500 ECRI students from around 100 countries who, after graduation, settle in many different regions. The graduates are now available to the job market as skilled workers.

Thoughts on farewell

The event was held partly in German and partly in English. Dean Prof. Dr. Christian Steckenbauer thoughtfully described graduation as “also an entry into a world that is changing rapidly.” He said it was important to work together to defend the foundations of a free society. THD Vice President Prof. Dr. Martina Heigl-Murauer viewed “education as a shared journey into a promising future” and called on everyone to “be the change you want to see in the world.” In her graduation speech, Magistra Sana Rauf from Pakistan encouraged lifelong learning and stated: “The best ideas often arise in conversations with people who see things differently.”

In his congratulations to the graduates, Deputy District Administrator Kurt Vallée praised “the boundless exchange and diversity at ECRI.” Mayor Wolfgang Beißmann confirmed: “The European Campus demonstrates coexistence in the world.” Both encouraged the graduates to take up employment in the region. University chaplain Felix M. Schandl called on to “respect creation.”

Presentation of certificates

One by one, the professors responsible for the individual degree programs addressed the graduates present to present them with their diplomas. Prof. Dr. Sabine Dittrich encouraged “global cooperation.” On behalf of Prof. Dr. Georgi Chaltikyan, she and the dean presented the certificates to 32 Master's students in Digital Health and two Master's students in Medical Informatics, as well as twelve Master's students in Global Public Health.

Prof. Dr. Michael Laar called on the 17 Master's students in Healthy and Sustainable Buildings to “strive for scientific truth.” He also advised them: “What counts today may be obsolete tomorrow.” THD Vice President Prof. Dr. Marcus Herntrei appealed to the twelve newly minted Master's in International Tourism Development and five Bachelor's in International Tourism Management graduates to “use the knowledge they have acquired to shape the future of tourism in a sustainable way.”

Prof. Dr. Stefan Mátéfi-Tempfli wished his three Bachelor's in Energy Systems Engineering graduates “fond memories of this milestone.” Representing Prof. Dr. Thomas Spittler, Prof. Dr. Christian Rummel welcomed seven Bachelor of Health Informatics graduates “to this important field of the future.” Prof. Dr. Raimund Brotsack called on his 15 successful Bachelor of Industrial Engineering graduates to “be translators between engineering and the business world.”

Two rituals symbolized the graduates' admission into the academic community: moving the faculty's turquoise hat tassel from the right to the left side and the jubilant throwing of the hat into the air. The graduates were only too happy to do so.

Alumni meeting

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of ECRI's founding, former graduates were invited to the graduation ceremony for the first time as “pioneers of the ECRI vision,” according to Prof. Dr. Steckenbauer. Head of Staff Ulrike Sauckel led a short discussion with five of the 24 alumni present about their campus memories. In this context, Severin Eder said, referring to Frank Sinatra's song: “If you can make it in Pfarrkirchen, you can make it anywhere.”

The Gerl-Ochsenbauer duo provided musical accompaniment for the event, concluding with the European anthem. Guests of honor included university coordinator Georg Riedl and representatives from education, business, and politics. The event was organized by the THD alumni team in collaboration with the European Campus. Organizer Stefanie Ruckpaul concluded by encouraging “unity in diversity.”

Bild (DIT/ECRI): The pushing of the faculty's turquoise hat tassel from the right to the left symbolized the acceptance of the graduates into the circle of academics, much to the delight of Dean Prof. Dr. Christian Steckenbauer (left).