IHK University Prize for Business 2025 goes to WHU student

WHU bachelor's graduate Niklas Vieregge (BSc 2024) shows how interdisciplinary and hands-on research can be reconciled: The research results of his bachelor's thesis benefit the Forschungsinstitut für Glas und Keramik (FGK) in Höhr-Grenzhausen. This is because the findings provide the institute with a better basis for deciding whether the commercialization of an alternative welding process is worthwhile – or not. Niklas Vieregge was honored for his work on Tuesday evening at the festive ceremony of the 24th University Prize for Business 2025 awarded by the Koblenz Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

“For someone who grew up in the Koblenz area, it is a great honor to receive this award,” said Niklas Vieregge. “I am also very pleased to have helped the FGK with my thesis in its decision-making process regarding the commercialization of ceramic alternatives in the field of friction stir welding.”   

In his thesis, the WHU alumnus conducted a market analysis for the specialized segment of friction stir welding. His task was to find out whether an innovation—a ceramic alternative in the welding process—offered economically viable prospects and whether it would be well received on the market. Vieregge then drafted a blueprint to facilitate FGK's next steps, taking into account aspects such as market positioning, distribution, location, patents, corporate form, financing, and more. The thesis was supervised by Prof. Dr. Christina Günther and Dana Horvath, research assistant at the IHK Chair of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. “I am particularly happy about this award because it shows how much can be achieved when students engage in practical research with commitment and curiosity,” said Dana Horvath. “The award highlights that academic work can have a real impact far beyond the university context.”

Every year, the Koblenz Chamber of Industry and Commerce awards the University Prize for Business to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses that have been written in cooperation with universities and companies in the region. The aim is to strengthen cooperation and exchange between business and science in northern Rhineland-Palatinate.

Further information on the award ceremony for the 2025 IHK University Prize for Business can be found here.

An image film about Niklas Vieregge's project can be found here.