Elvira Akhmadieva receives this year's German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) prize for international students.

Elvira Akhmadieva is in her fourth semester on the Master's degree programme in Environmental Engineering. She is currently working on the research project ‘The impact of solar parks on the soil water and vegetation’ at the Chair of Engineering Hydrology at HTWD. Here, the engineer works together with the German Weather Service, among others.

The student came to Dresden in October 2022. She had previously studied civil engineering in Kazan (Russia). She deliberately chose the international degree programme: ‘I have a great interest in environmental topics, especially in how we can bring about positive changes in the environment. The programme at HTWD was my first choice because it covers many different areas. Here you can learn how environmental processes work, how people influence and shape the environment. You also learn about tools and methods for measuring the current state of the environment, forecasting future developments and, above all, how we can improve the current state of the environment and take future challenges into account.’

She has now been honoured with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) prize for her excellent performance during her studies. The jury particularly emphasised that Elvira Akhmadieva works very independently and efficiently. She is also extremely committed to taking part in discussions and presentations and supports her fellow students with both subject-related questions and the organisation of social activities. 

Since her second semester, Akhmadieva has been working with the Engineering Hydrology working group, which supports her in research projects and in preparing teaching content, as well as in working with pupils (Junior Doctor Programme). 

After graduating, the young woman would like to stay in science and continue researching environmental topics. She is particularly interested in how people influence various environmental processes through their actions and what measures can be taken to steer processes in favour of the environment. 

The student really appreciates studying at the HTWD. She particularly likes the high practical component: ‘Many partner companies are involved in the study process. This makes the degree programme more interesting and opens up opportunities for further career development. I also particularly like the fact that the professors are very motivated and take a keen interest in their subject areas. They are always open to discussion and an exchange of opinions. This creates a motivating learning atmosphere.’

About the DAAD Prize

The DAAD Prize, which is endowed with 1,000 euros, honours foreign students who are studying in Germany and who stand out for their special academic achievements and remarkable social commitment, as well as for building bridges between countries. The prize has been awarded for more than ten years and is intended to help give the many international students at German universities faces and connect them with stories. This makes it clear that every single international student takes a piece of Germany back home with them and leaves something of themselves in Germany - an enrichment for both sides.