IU Alumni Awards 2025: Recognition for graduates who serve as role models
IU honours outstanding careers, courageous life paths and inspiring projects
These awards celebrate exceptional careers, entrepreneurial achievements, and innovative projects in sustainability and digital education.
Erfurt, 12 February 2026. IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany's largest university with over 130,000 students, is presenting the “IU Alumni Awards” for the sixth time. With this award, IU honours former students who stand out for their extraordinary professional achievements, social commitment, or personal strength - and who are thus role models for the next generation. Alumni from all over the world were able to apply in five categories: Future Readiness, Professional Success, Sustainability, Outstanding Personal Achievement, and Education for Everyone. A jury of professors and experts from IU selected the winners. These are the winners of the IU Alumni Awards 2025:
Category: Future Readiness
Rahul Rajkumar Bhoyar (30), Berlin
Degree: MBA Artificial Intelligence
Position: AI & Software Professional
Rahul Rajkumar Bhoyar impressed with his strong vision for the future of work: AI should empower people, promote creativity, and strengthen collaboration – not replace it. Building on his studies at IU, he combines technological excellence with creative power and leadership skills to drive forward a forward-looking, human-centred use of artificial intelligence.
As part of his research at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), he was involved in the development of an AI multi-agent platform that has been deployed at over 15 universities and reduced faculty workloads by 60 per cent.
Currently, as a senior data scientist at Publicis Sapient, Bhoyar leads the development of AI agent systems that redefine creative and marketing-related workflows. One of the AI platforms uses autonomous multimodal agents to generate personalised marketing content, accelerating creative content delivery by up to 50 per cent and demonstrating how AI can augment human creativity at scale.
Jury's reasoning:
“An outstanding achievement in the field of AI with clear practical relevance for the education sector. This work impressively demonstrates how sustainability can be achieved through the responsible use of technology.”
Links for further information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-bhoyar-1a04a7215/
https://rahulbhoyar.com
Category: Professional Success
Hannes Berthold (24), Dresden
Degree: B.A. Media Design
Position: Marketing and Communications Manager & Filmmaker
With his short film SOLACE, Hannes Berthold impressively demonstrates how artistic ambition, emotional storytelling, and technical precision can work together.
The film was created as part of his bachelor's thesis in media design at IU and is characterised by a clear creative vision and the experimental use of AI tools for visual effects. SOLACE has already won the IU Reel Award and was selected for the Snowdance Festival in Essen, where it was presented to a wide and enthusiastic audience on February 6.
Building on this success, Berthold worked as Head of VFX on the feature film “Make Me Feel,” one of Germany's largest independent film projects. There, he was responsible for the VFX pipeline, led the team, and delivered 41 final shots.
Jury's reasoning:
"His work is exemplary of a new generation of filmmakers who combine creativity and technical skill. The exceptionally positive response and numerous awards are proof of his outstanding talent."
Links for further information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannes-berthold
https://solace-kurzfilm.de
https://snowdance.net/black-shortz-2/
Category: Sustainability
Lena Willmann (25), Cambridge / Mönchengladbach
Degree: Civil Engineering
Position: Master's student
Lena Willmann impresses with her extraordinary educational background and her strong commitment to sustainable construction. She was the first in her family to graduate from university - with top marks in civil engineering at IU. Motivated by her success, she developed the desire to continue her academic career in a top international environment.
Her goal: the highly competitive master's programme “Engineering for Sustainable Development” at the University of Cambridge. Despite initial doubts given the low acceptance rate, she applied – encouraged by her IU professors Micha Buch and Leon Jänicke – and was successful. Since March 2025, she has been studying at Cambridge and working on solutions for more sustainable construction practices.
Jury's reasoning:
“Lena Willmann demonstrates with courage, determination, and passion that academic excellence is possible regardless of personal background. She is an inspiring example of educational equity and sustainable commitment.”
Link for further information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-willmann-4558b6232/
Category: Outstanding Personal Achievement
Florian Christian Milder (28), Bergkamen
Degree: B.Sc. Nutrition Science
Position: MA student & area manager for enteral nutrition
A serious accident abruptly ended Florian Christian Milder's dream of a career in pediatric nursing. But instead of giving up, he decided to make a fresh start: with the help of a distance learning programme in nutritional science at IU. The flexible structure of the programme enabled him to successfully complete his studies during his recovery.
In January 2025, he completed his bachelor's degree – one of the greatest personal achievements of his life. Today, he works as a regional manager for enteral nutrition and is also studying for a master's degree in health management at IU.
“IU not only gave me the opportunity to study, but also a new perspective. I have learned that setbacks can be the beginning of something great,” says Milder.
Jury's reasoning:
“A deeply moving story that impressively shows how resilience, determination, and education can open up new paths in life.”
Link for further information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-milder-25b430283/
Category: Education for Everyone
Melanie Fender (35), Darmstadt
Degree: M.Sc. Public Health
Position: Occupational therapist
In her master's thesis, Melanie Fender developed an innovative teaching concept for the training of occupational therapists. By combining occupational therapy practice with the principles of planetary health, she shows new ways to make therapeutic work more sustainable and to sensitise the profession to climate and health protection.
Since October 2025, she has been implementing her concept in her own teaching, setting an example for other educators.
Jury's reasoning:
“Melanie Fender impressively demonstrates the added value of scientific findings for practical application. Her approach shows how education can bring about sustainable change in the health and education sectors.”
IU as a pioneer for lifelong learning
The winners of the IU Alumni Awards 2025 represent the core values of IU International University of Applied Sciences. They demonstrate how sustainability can be achieved through the responsible use of technology and the teaching of skills relevant to the job market.
At the same time, their careers illustrate the importance of open access to higher education – made possible by flexible study formats, alternative admission routes, and individual support for people with different life circumstances.
In addition, the award-winning alumni underscore the importance of close support during the transition from university to the professional world or an academic career. Practical professors, personal support, and comprehensive career services form the basis for strengthening students in their long-term educational and career paths.
The awards show that education is the key to personal development, professional success, and social progress. In addition to a €250 gift card, the award winners can look forward to a continuing education course of their choice at the IU Academy.
The application phase for the IU Alumni Awards 2026 will begin in the summer.
For more information about the IU Alumni Awards and all award winners, visit: iu.de/infos/alumni/alumni-award
With nearly 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution, based in Erfurt, began teaching in 2000 and now has 37 campuses. IU stands for maximum flexibility in study: whether through dual study, distance learning or on campus – students from over 160 nations tailor their educational path to suit their individual circumstances. With more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-proof skills for an increasingly AI-driven world of work. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalised learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning companion, ‘Syntea’, which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies – including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn – makes IU a strong partner in the training of skilled workers and consistently links academic teaching with practical experience. Further information at: iu.org
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