After two intensive years of study focused on innovative concepts and approaches to revitalising post-industrial cities, the official graduation ceremony for the 2024/25 cohort took place on 15 September.

The day began with a warm welcome, as guests gathered over coffee, cake and live music. Markus Gornik, RePIC Programme Coordinator, welcomed everyone and guided them through the ceremony.

In their welcome addresses, Prof. Dr. Kornelia Freitag, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies, and Prof. Dr. Matthias Kiese, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Geosciences, reflected on the past two years. They highlighted the programme’s importance in shaping sustainable urban futures and recognised both the students’ achievements and the international collaboration fostered through the UNIC consortium. Matthew Federico Becker, a graduate of the first RePIC cohort, then shared his personal experiences and reflections on his two years in the programme.

Following another live musical performance, Prof. Dr. Thomas Feldhoff, EMJM RePIC Coordinator and Co-Director, addressed the graduates of the second cohort. A particularly special moment of the day was the presentation of the graduation certificates by Prof. Dr. Dennis Edler, Chair of the EMJM RePIC Admissions and Examination Committee.

The graduates also had the opportunity to share their perspectives. Julia Thurner and Leila Lesme Amarilla looked back on their time in the programme and offered insights into their plans for the future in their graduation speech. The ceremony continued with the presentation of the award for Best Master’s Thesis to Maja-Lisa Belostotski, who shared her thoughts and reflections in her acceptance speech.

To conclude the ceremony, Markus Gornik invited the guests to a reception. Over food and conversation, everyone had the opportunity to celebrate together, exchange memories and bring the day to a relaxed close.

The Department of Geography at Ruhr University Bochum warmly congratulates all graduates on their achievements and wishes them every success in their future professional and personal endeavours. The Department also looks forward to maintaining close ties with its alumni and further strengthening collaboration through the RePIC and Erasmus Mundus Alumni Network.