Award of the DAAD Prize and the Prize for Intercultural Engagement

They are distinguished not only by their outstanding academic achievements, but also by their special non-academic commitment. Chikita Rini Lengkong, student in the master's program Media and Communication Science, and Viveka Venkatramana Bhat were honored at a ceremony at the TU Ilmenau.

Chikita Rini Lengkong, a student in the master's program Media and Communication Science, has been awarded the prize for intercultural commitment by the city of Ilmenau and the Technische Universität Ilmenau for her efforts to connect people and bring others closer to her native culture of Indonesia. For example, as coordinator of the education and culture section of the Indonesian Student Association in Thuringia, she organized the "Close the Gap!" event in Ilmenau's city center, which brought students and residents of the city closer together. Chikita Rini Lengkong is also involved in the Children's and Youth University She supported the multicultural Christmas party at Technische Universität Ilmenau and the "Neighbors with a Heart" campaign of the Ilmenau housing cooperative. The prize for intercultural commitment, endowed with 500 euros, is awarded every year to people who have made a special contribution to the integration and support of foreign citizens, and was presented during a ceremony in the Audimax.

"Chikita Rini Lengkong's commitment to the realization of human rights and respect for the dignity of all people is not just a vision for Ms. Lengkong, but - as the examples of her numerous activities mentioned here illustrate - lived everyday life." Quote: Beate Misch, Mayor of the City of Ilmenau

Also honored for remarkable social and intercultural commitment as well as for his special academic achievements was Viveka Venkatramana Bhat. During the event, the master's student was presented with the DAAD Award for Outstanding Achievement by International Students at German Universities, which is endowed with 1,000 euros. As a student in the master's program Communications and Signal Processing Viveka Venkatramana Bhat was, among other things, an active member of the Indian Cultural Organisation at the TU Ilmenau and accompanied in the Buddy program of the international we4you student service at the TU Ilmenau new international students on their first steps at the university. In addition, he advises prospective students also via social media about studying in Germany.

"Starting your studies during the corona pandemic is particularly challenging for international students. Viveka Venkatramana Bhat has coped excellently with this situation despite teaching online. His academic achievements are impressive. In addition, he has volunteered on campus from the beginning and has actively implemented his motto "one for another" outside of lectures." Quote: Sophia Siegfried, Head of International Office, TU Ilmenau