"Along with the nutrition movement is the most important preventative factor. And especially prevention in our aging society will play a dominating role in the future," explains Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang A. Herrmann, the president of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). On Friday, February 23, 2019, in the Audimax of the TUM, the Department of Sport and Health Sciences celebrated the "Graduation".
4 habilitations, 13 doctorates, 89 x accreditation work, 126 masters' and 285 bachelors' theses were concluded at the department in 2018. The challenges of "prevention" are met by the TUM through interdisciplinary cooperation and research projects by the TUM School of Medicine, the TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan and the Department of Sport and Health Sciences. "In the research on prevention, nearly the complete spectrum of university research comes together. This is a highly-complex field. If we are to succeed in bundling our strengths, we can also become world champions in prevention research," predicts the President, Prof. Herrmann.
Dean Prof. Oberhoffer says, "'Sport' and 'health' represent a great social mission"
"The fields of 'Sport' and 'Gesundheit' represent a great social mission, which you can and also will have to serve in the future," explains Prof. Dr. Renate Oberhoffer, the Dean of the Department. This medical doctor wished that the graduates "would remain open and curious - since that will continue to drive them forward". The students could be proud of their conclusion at the TUM. "In your vocational future, find a good middle course between planning and spontaneity, and make use of your experiences from the studies as a lifelong chance," suggests Prof. Oberhoffer further.
Dr. Heidrun Thaiss, Head of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA), holds a commemorative speech
The department could win Dr. Heidrun Thaiss, Head of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) as a keynote speaker. This medical doctor stressed the high value of prevention. "One-third of the population over the age of 65 years suffers from at least one illness. Many illnesses are preventable. "However, precisely in this field there is a vast demand that has accumulated. Only about four percent of the health expenditures flow into prevention. Accordingly, Dr. Thaiss claimed that "we need a paradigm shift in the health system. Prevention must step out from its shadowed existence. We must regard the environment of humans and conceive custom-made offers." For the graduates, job markets will develop here. "There is enough to grapple with. Your perspectives are exceptional," predicted the Head of the BZgA.
Educational prize, Diversity prize & Dr. Gertrude Krombholz prize
In the course of the graduation, the faculty presented three prizes. Dr. Wolfgang Seiberl received the Educational prize for the best lecture and Frank Grob received a prize for the best seminar. The prize-winners were selected on the basis of the teacher evaluations. Every semester, students of the faculty can thereby evaluate the teachers using online questionnaires.
The Diversity prize is endowed with €500. The jury awarded the prize to Monika Boriss and Carolin Malke for their master's theses as well as to Jihad Hossaini and Michael Löw for their bachelor's theses. Honored here are outstanding final theses relating to diversity.
Already for the 21st time, the Dr. Gertrude Krombholz prize was awarded, which distinguishes the best scientific work in the field of the sport and health sciences, which links theory and practice with one another in an outstanding manner. 19 works were submitted. The jury, made up of Prof. Dr. Ansgar Schwirtz, Prof. Dr. Joachim Hermsdörfer and Prof. Dr. Martin Lames, as well as the benefactress and name-bearer, selected Sophia Dinges und Andrea Haunberger (each with a master's thesis) as well as Noora Wedde (bachelor's thesis). The three prize-winners can also be happy about their prize of €500.
The fact that the sport and health sciences, aside from theory also means practice, was clarified through the show acts. Frank Grob, a lecturer of the faculty and National League gymnast for many years, demonstrated with three students acrobatics on the pommel horse. Students from the Kleine Nestler School presented dance under the slogan "Time to move!". After the farewells to the graduates, the celebration ended with a champagne reception in the entrance hall of the Audimax.
Text: Dr. Fabian Kautz
Photos: Isabel Uphoff