Our best
Talent in focus
At the Annual Academic Ceremony, the HKA honors its top graduates from the past academic year. In a festive setting, the honorees receive their awards from sponsors from the business and social sectors.
We are delighted by the achievements of our graduates and would like to introduce them and their theses in more detail.
The 2026 Annual Academic Ceremony took place on October 8, 2026. The award recipients will be listed here in detail on a monthly basis.
Graduate Emily Graf
Emily Graf successfully completed her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering (Civil Engineering) with her bachelor’s thesis, for which she received the award from the Association of German Builders, Architects, and Engineers of Baden-Württemberg e. V. In her bachelor’s thesis, she examined the phenomenon known as “colmation,” or sedimentation on riverbeds. She developed an AI-based model that uses existing measurement data to predict the degree of siltation in waterways. In an interview with our editorial team, Emily provides insights into the program’s key areas of focus and explains how one can familiarize oneself with complex subject areas through “learning by doing,” even without prior specialized knowledge.
Student Bernard Rudăreanu-Mihancea
Bernard Rudăreanu-Mihancea came from Romania to study at the HKA. He had already acquired German language skills while attending a German high school in Karlsruhe’s sister city, Timișoara, which allowed him to jump right into the bachelor’s program in computer science. For his community service and outstanding academic achievements, he received the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Award at the 2026 Academic Annual Ceremony. In the video, Bernard talks about his community involvement and shares what makes it easier for (international) students to get started at a university.
