Vice-President for Student & Academic Affairs Professor Mirjam Hey, President Professor Hans Reiner Schultz, and Mayor of Geisenheim Christian Aßmann jointly welcomed the new students, giving them a first impression of both Geisenheim and the university. As in years past, the university also took the opportunity provided by the welcome event to honor two students: one with the DAAD Prize and the other with the Geisenheim Prize for Social Commitment.
Comments on the Event
"Our students have deliberately sought out practice-oriented programs that closely link theory and application. Supported by our broad, flexible, and international range of degree programs, modern facilities, and extensive advisory and support services, our students are offered an ideal environment for studying. During the Welcome Days event, first-year students can get to know the university, their fellow students, and the content of their upcoming courses. My sincere thanks go to everyone who make this introduction possible for out new students. I hope everyone beginning their studies this semester gets off to a successful start and enjoys discovering our green campus and the breadth of their studies," says Professor Mirjam Hey.
“On behalf of the town of Geisenheim, I would like to warmly welcome all first-year students and congratulate them on their decision to begin their studies in Geisenheim,” adds Mayor Christian Aßmann, who also encouraged new students to get involved in the local community and make the most out of student life in the town during his welcome address.
A Diverse Program to Kick Off the Semester
At the beginning of the welcome week, new students were introduced to all key contact persons – from program directors to service units such as the Admissions Office, General Student Advisory Service, Career Service, and the International Office. These introductions were complemented by campus tours organized by the Student Committee (AStA), a central orientation session, and the traditional welcome reception on the first evening. This festive event, jointly organized by the university, the VEG alumni association, and AStA, marked the highlight of the opening day.
Throughout the rest of the week, first-year students can look forward to a wide range of activities: information sessions, an exciting first-year rally, a guided tour of popular spots in Geisenheim with Rheingau culture and wine ambassador Jacqueline Palzer, a “cellar hopping” event through selected Rheingau wineries, and an atmospheric twilight hike led by hiking guide Wolfgang Blum. Before the start of the official Welcome Days event for all new students, there was also a special week-long introductory program for international students to help them find their feet in Germany and at the university.
DAAD Prize
As in previous years, Hochschule Geisenheim University used the opening event to present the 2025 DAAD Prize – an award funded by the German Academic Exchange Service. The award recognizes international students who distinguish themselves through outstanding academic achievements and exceptional social commitment.
This year’s €1,000 prize went to Ikram Soussi, who actively volunteers as a language mediator for German, French, and Arabic. She has supported refugees in a number of challenging and sensitive situations, from medical examinations to parent meetings in daycare centers to counseling sessions in women’s shelters.
Soussi, who is pursuing a Master’s degree in Food Safety, accepted the award in person.
“It's a real honor to receive this award. My volunteer work doesn't just bring me a lot of joy, but also has helped me personally in learning German faster and becoming more knowledgable of German culture,” says Soussi, who was born in Morocco but has lived and studied in Germany for five years now.
Geisenheim Prize for Social Commitment
The Geisenheim Prize for Social Commitment was also presented during the first-year welcome event and recognizes the civic engagement of Geisenheim students. This year, the €500 award went to Jonathan Döbler, a student of International Wine Business.
He received the prize in particular for his leadership in organizing the Geisenheim Zukunftssymposium, a high-profile, student-run event on future topics in the wine sector. He also contributed to a Summer School in Georgia and offered tutorials in physics and enology.
In a video message filmed at UC Davis in California, where Döbler is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology with the prestigious Flossfeder Scholarship, he encouraged new students to get involved at the university:
"Even though organizing the symposium, for example, involved a lot of effort, it only had advantages in the end: experience, contacts, and personal development. So my tip to all freshmen is: get involved, try things out! Not only does it make your studies more exciting, it also offers you experience that can only help you later on“
Note: The number of first-year students reflects the interim count as of October 13, 2025. As enrollment procedures are still ongoing, this figure will continue to rise in the coming weeks.
Press Contact:
Nelly Sämann
Tel: +49 6722 502 6204
E-mail: kommunikation@hs-gm.de
