Six individuals, dressed formally, stand beside a Max Planck Schools banner, each holding a certificate.

A HISTORIC FIRST

Graduation Ceremony of the Max Planck Schools
 

June 23, 2025
Max Planck School Matter to Life Max Planck School of Cognition Max Planck School of Photonics

On June 3, 2025, the first Graduation Ceremony of the Max Planck Schools took place on the Bildungscampus in Heilbronn. The two Deans, Prof. Jan Michael Rost and Prof. Joachim Hornegger, had invited guests to honor the graduates of the three Max Planck Schools – Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics – in an intimate yet festive setting.
 

The event not only marked the successful completion of numerous doctoral projects, but also symbolized an important milestone in the development of the Max Planck Schools as a joint, cross-institutional program to support outstanding early-career researchers.

Audience listening to a speaker at a graduation ceremony; names and titles projected on a screen behind.

In short presentations, the graduates introduced their doctoral theses and presented their research findings. The core idea of the Schools – excellent research collaboration within a unique, nationwide network – became especially clear, as several newly minted doctores expressed how profoundly their time in the Max Planck School had shaped and inspired them for their future careers. The subsequent awarding of the certificates, accompanied by enthusiastic applause from the audience, will be fondly remembered – not least due to the inevitable photos.

Graduation ceremony with attendees seated, facing a presenter and screen.

A special highlight was the keynote by Prof. Kerstin Göpfrich (Fellow Max Planck School Matter to Life), who, in an interactive format involving the audience, emphasized three aspects of her scientific career: passion, appreciation for the opportunities offered, and forward-looking perspective. These, she noted, are the keys to continuously reflecting on one’s own motivation and actions. Prof. Gunther Friedl also extended his congratulations to the graduates on behalf of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation in a short address.

Attendees in a modern conference room stand in rows, watching a presentation on a large screen, with natural light filtering through large windows.
A speaker in a blue blazer and white shirt holds a microphone, addressing an audience at an educational event, with a lectern and screen in the background.

Prof. Gunther Friedl also extended his congratulations to the graduates on behalf of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation in a short address.

The first Graduation Ceremony was not only a celebration for the graduates of the Max Planck Schools, but also the inaugural event organized by the central coordination team on the Bildungscampus Heilbronn – a place that will gain increasing importance for the future of the Schools.

Congratulations to our Max Planck Schools graduates who had the opportunity to celebrate their well-deserved graduation together:
Esra Al (MPS Cognition), Kevin Kaub, Oliver Drozdowski, Leila Abbaspour, Brianda Santini (all MPS Matter to Life), and Christopher Spiess (MPS Photonics)."

A group of five people gathered in a meeting room, each holding a champagne glass, engaging in a toast. The setting includes wooden panels and a coat rack in the background, suggesting a formal or celebratory occasion.
Two individuals engage in conversation at a standing table, each holding a glass of champagne. On the table are lanyards and a book featuring a circular design.
Two individuals in formal attire stand in a room with wooden paneling.
Individuals are gathered around a table, holding glasses of drinks and engaging in conversation, in a well-lit, modern space with large windows and visible greenery outside.
Group conversing at a high table with glasses of champagne.
Presenter in pink blazer addressing seated crowd, screen shows "Leila Abbaspour," with Göttingen logo.
Two people on a stage, one person holding a certificate in their hand
A speaker presents to an audience while a slide explains the effects of the cardiac cycle on perception and shows diagrams. Audience members follow the presentation attentively.
Two people are standing on a stage; one is wearing a colorful top and holding a certificate with English text.
Two men in dark suits stand side by side and present an open certificate on a stage in front of a dark background.
A man in a blue suit is standing on a stage with a microphone and a presentation device.
Scientific lecture on cell states, diagrams on a large screen, audience listening intently. Stage with blue curtain.
Two people in suits are holding a certificate on a stage. Next to them is a table with pens. A screen is visible in the background.
Lecture on cyclic peptides with diagrams on a screen.
Two people in formal attire present a certificate in front of a dark background, possibly at an award ceremony or official event.
Speaker presents technical content on time lag in communication, audience sits in a conference room. Diagram shows characters Alice and Bob with communication time.
Two men are standing on a stage. The man on the right is presenting a certificate with text and logos on it. They are wearing formal attire.
Group in front of a Max Planck Schools banner, several holding certificates.
Max Planck Schools banner and two people.
Wooden panel wall with Max Planck Schools banner, QR code, and text about science.
Two people pose in front of a Max Planck Schools banner, one holding a certificate. The banner displays the slogan “Passion for Science” and a web address.
Three people are standing in front of a Max Planck Schools banner.
Two people are standing in front of a Max Planck Schools banner. The man is wearing a suit and holding a flyer. Both individuals are elegantly dressed. The banner displays the Max Planck Schools logo and a QR code.
People standing in front of a banner advertising the Max Planck Schools.

© MPS / Matt Stark

Other Interesting Articles

Web-View
Print Page
Open in new window
Estimated DIN-A4 page-width
Go to Editor View