Students Receive DFK Award 2024

Deutscher Freundeskreis der Universitäten in Innsbruck e.V. supports outstanding students in their professional and academic development | Three MCI students receive Martin Steinmeyer Award for promising start-ups and entrepreneurial initiatives

At the annual meeting of the “Deutscher Freundeskreis der Universitäten in Innsbruck e.V.” (DFK), the prestigious DFK Prize (“DFK Förderpreis”) was awarded to students of the Entrepreneurial School®, the Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck (LFU) and the Medical University of Innsbruck. From 35 entries, three MCI students stood out with their exceptional personal and academic achievements and ambitious goals and received the coveted award.

The winners:

• Jasmin Eder completed her master’s in Medical Technologies. In addition to numerous internships in well-known companies, she accomplished a research stay at Yale University and has distinguished herself through her extremely independent, ambitious and high-quality work. She is planning to obtain a PhD position and would like to become self-employed in the field of medical technology and product development in the long term. She will use the prize to develop projects and products in the field of medical technology. Apart from that, the prize would be helpful for her to develop her own start-up.

• Mario Kanetscheider is a graduate of the MCI bachelor’s program Biotechnology & Food Engineering. Thanks to numerous courses at the MCI and a stay abroad in Canada, he has decided to pursue a master's degree in Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology after completing his bachelor's. In the future, Mario Kanetscheider does not rule out the possibility of pursuing a PhD in order to put down professional roots in Tyrol as a business location and conduct biotech research.

• Elke van Gorp completed her master's degree in European Health Economics & Management at MCI in summer 2024 and was part of the Joint Program. Her commitment is not only reflected in her achievements, but also in her role as Student Representative and Student Ambassador. Furthermore, Van Gorp has already published numerous publications and would like to implement her knowledge in the field of biology in the health sector in the future. Apart from that, she is striving to conduct more research in the field of microbiology and specialize in infectious diseases.

At the Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck, the awards were handed to Manuel Kahl, Jule Pichler and Emily Fritz. At the Medical University, the prizes were awarded to Fabio Bock, Marian Haselrieder and Chiara Salvá.

Senator h.c. Dr. Martin Steinmeyer Award

The Senator h.c. Martin Steinmeyer Awards were presented for the first time at this year's event to support young people’s entrepreneurial projects in Tyrol.

The prize was awarded to the following projects:

• Ceramicond: Reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by means of electrically heatable temperature-change adsorption.

• Revitalyze: Digital platform to reduce waste by connecting secondary materials from demolition projects with demand from building material manufacturers.

• Evopix: Development of a material-penetrating optimization method for sensors to monitor critical infrastructure such as tunnels.

• Sindbad: Implementation of mentoring between adolescents and young adults as a contribution to social equality and the creation of prospects.

Funding-worthy are specific projects aimed at leveraging opportunities and realizing potentials that are demonstrably relevant to the Tyrol region. These projects should be connected to the university’s activities in research, development, teaching, or continuing education and/or build a bridge between research, innovation, and application. They may also implement an innovative business idea, promise particular social benefits, or otherwise demonstrate a value-adding relationship to the university. 

About the DFK

The “Deutscher Freundeskreis” is an association of distinguished personalities from business, science, society, and politics. The DFK aims to provide non-material and material support for the universities in Innsbruck, including the MCI, and their students, to promote cooperation in partnership between these universities, to connect their graduates with the business community and to foster friendly relations between its members.