Ihab Al-Rikabi Receives DAAD Prize 2025
This year's German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Prize goes to doctoral student Ihab Al-Rikabi from Iraq. He is being honored for his outstanding commitment to social, societal, and intercultural issues at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
Ihab Al-Rikabi began his bachelor's degree in refrigeration and air conditioning technology in 2010 and completed a master's degree in mechanical engineering. Since October 2022, he has been pursuing his doctorate at the Chair of Building Physics at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. His dissertation, which he is expected to complete in 2026, addresses current issues in building physics that touch on both technical and socially relevant aspects of building design and indoor climate. He was nominated by Prof. Conrad Völker and Prof. Hayder Alsaad.
Commitment to international students and intercultural exchange
The DAAD Prize is awarded in particular in recognition of Al-Rikabi's extraordinary commitment to the university community. Both reviewers emphasize his central role in social and intercultural projects: as a tutor at the Bauhaus Summer School 2025, he supported international participants far beyond the scope of his duties. He is also a member of an international organizing team that meets weekly to develop formats for better integration of new students, including welcome events, networking formats, and information services.
At Bauhaus Internationals, he played a key role in organizing the city rally for first-year students, worked closely with representatives of the Student Council (StuKo), and is continuously involved in the Language Café, which promotes both language acquisition and intercultural exchange.
Scientific excellence and international networking
Al-Rikabi also makes an important contribution to science: as part of his doctoral studies, he worked on several research projects that promoted interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthened the international network of Bauhaus scientists. Under his leadership, seven specialist articles were published in renowned peer-reviewed journals and three contributions were made to international conferences, including »Healthy Buildings« (Iceland), »Indoor Air« (USA), and »RoomVent« (Sweden).
About the DAAD Prize
The DAAD Prize, worth €1,000, is awarded annually as part of the STIBET I funding program to international students or doctoral candidates who, in addition to outstanding academic achievements, also demonstrate a special intercultural or social commitment. The winners are selected on the recommendation of teachers and staff at the Bauhaus University Weimar.
Further information about the prize is available at: https://www.daad.de/en/the-daad/what-we-do/funding/prizes-awards/daad-prize/