![[Translate to English:] Diversity Preis 2020 - Vergabe. Aufgrund der Corona-Pandemie übergab Prorektor Klaus Pfeffer (2. v. l.) die Preise mit der Leiterin der Koordinierungsstelle Dr. Inge Krümpelbeck zunächst im kleinen Kreis an Damon Mohebbi, Laura Garcia Caldéron, und Tobias Koch (vorn, v.l.n.r.).](/fileadmin/redaktion/Diversity_Portal/Bilder/Diversity_Preis/2020-06-04-Diversity-Preisvergabe_bearbeitet-4.jpg "Diversity Prize 2020 - Awarding ceremony")
Prizewinner n the group of lecturers
"A university that is committed to diversity and tolerance and wants to credibly live this should ensure in the long term that these topics remain visible and vivid in every area of the university. "
Diversity Prize 2020
Since 2019, the Diversity Prize has been awarded annually to members and associates of the HHU who are particularly committed to the topic of diversity and who bring the HHU's principle of "Excellence through Diversity" to life. On June 4th, the Diversity Prize 2020 was awarded on a small scale to the three prize winners. Laura Garcia Calderón, Tobias Koch and Damon Mohebbi are particularly committed to the topic of diversity: "In various functions, all of them have contributed to making the HHU a better place to study and work with their dedication to diversity, equality of opportunity and tolerance in teaching and studies," says Prorector Prof. Dr. Klaus Pfeffer.
On this page you will find short profiles of the prize winners, where they state the motivation for their work, their wishes and goals for the university.
Here you can find information on other years
Laura Garcia Calderón
Laura Garcia Calderón
- Degree / Profession
Research associate in the department of educational research and educational management - What you will be honoured for as a prizewinner? - Excerpts from the nomination letter
"With her service learning seminar "Shaping Diversity at Universities Together", Ms. Calderon has been committed to the interests of students in the area of diversity for over three years. In this context, the design and furnishing of a new relaxation room for students with mental or chronic illnesses on campus was also realized. According to the nomination, Ms. Calderón stands for "lived acceptance and tolerance". The projects resulting from the seminar increase the sensitivity for the topic "Diversity on Campus" and ensure that the diverse needs of the students are actively taken into account (workshop "Standing up against racism", visit of the HHU-Diversity Day with the students, education about own rights at the university)". - How long have you been involved in the field of diversity at the HHU?
Active and as a teacher since March 2018. - What motivated you to get involved?
As part of my work as a research assistant, I was given the opportunity to design and conduct a Service Learning Seminar on Diversity in the summer semester 2018. First of all, I had to familiarize myself with a completely new subject area in order to gain an overview of the broad topic. Thanks to a lot of valuable support (e.g. from the Diversity Coordination Office, the Counselling Office for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses, the Equal Opportunities Officer and many other people at the HHU), a course offering has been created that on the one hand sensitizes for diversity and consequently tries to create more awareness and tolerance, and on the other hand motivates the participants to get involved with other students (with or without disabilities). Through the dialogue in the seminar, but also through the exchange with members of the HHU, it has become very clear to me that despite an apparently open and tolerant society -- even at the Heinrich Heine University -- we still maintain many visible and invisible barriers that do not guarantee equal opportunities and equal participation for all. This inequality is what both drives me and motivates me to continue my commitment to this important topic. - In your opinion, what can be done on the part of the HHU to continue, expand or support the results of the respective commitments?
What would you like to see the HHU do in the future with regard to diversity?
In my view, it is important that the milestones achieved so far, such as the establishment of a Diversity Coordination Office, the cooperation between different counselling centres at the HHU and student initiatives are further deepened and expanded. It would also be important to continue to raise awareness of inclusive teaching in the area of teachers. Here I would like to see more workshops and awareness training for teachers. In 2018, the Heinrich Heine University underwent a diversity audit. During this time, good and valuable concepts were developed, which now need to be further financed and expanded. A university that is committed to diversity and tolerance and wants to credibly live this should ensure in the long term that these topics remain visible and vivid in every area of the university. Thus, the assurance of resources is indispensable so that teaching and support services in the field of diversity and inclusion can be implemented and offered at Heinrich Heine University in the future. - Why should others get involved? / Why is it worthwhile?
In the end, working for more tolerance and mindfulness is always a win-win situation for everyone. Through commitment one always learns something new. In dialogue with those affected or people who are involved in this area, one learns many things that often remain invisible and unspoken. Our society is diverse and this presents us with many challenges on the one hand, but it is also a great enrichment on the other. The important thing is that diversity is seen as an opportunity and enrichment. That the differences between people do not lead to exclusion and discrimination, but are seen as a link and enrichment. Standing up for minorities is also always a sign to the outside world that often triggers a positive snowball effect. I am also building on this effect in my seminar. - What is the feedback from colleagues or students?
Mostly positive. I was able to motivate some of my colleagues to take part in awareness training courses at the HHU and the feedback was positive throughout. In our department we naturally deal with dimensions of diversity, inclusion and integration on a daily basis. Our aim is to continue to promote these issues at the HHU and make them visible.
I am particularly pleased with the response from students to the service learning seminar "Shaping Diversity at Universities Together". Since the summer semester, the seminar has grown with each semester. From an initial 17 participants, 96 students are now taking part in this seminar in the 2020 summer semester. The figures show that the topic is important and in great demand among students. - Is there already a new project that you would like to tackle in the future and which you could already tell us about?
There are many ideas that we would have liked to implement already this semester. These include participation in the Diversity Bazaar at Heinrich Heine University, the introduction of a community table in the main cafeteria and the creation of a further relaxation room in the former FH building. Further art projects were also planned. Due to the current situation, these projects are all on hold for the time being. I very much hope that we will be able to realize some of the planned projects in the coming winter semester.
Tobias Koch
Prizewinner in the group of staff members
"I believe that a culture of diversity - as we principally find it at the HHU - can significantly and sustainably improve community life on campus [...]."
Tobias Koch
- Degree / Profession
Modern History (main), Economic History (secondary), Media Studies (secondary), (M. A.)
Master of Business Administration "General Management", (MBA)
Board of Directors, scientific employee at the ZIM - What you will be honoured for as a prizewinner? - Excerpts from the nomination letter
"Tobias Koch has been an active member of the Diversity Steering Committee from the very beginning. Through his extraordinary commitment in the context of the introduction of the Blind Square app, digitization and the topic of "gender-equitable language", he contributes day after day to breaking down barriers on campus and promoting equal opportunities and participation for all. Tobias Koch also represents the interests of the Central Equal Opportunities Commission. His companions describe him as an "exceptionally committed and energetic teammate". According to his nomination, he is initiating significant structural changes that will make diversity possible as the basis for our cooperation. Among other things, his initiative led to the creation of the working group on gender-sensitive language." - How long have you been involved in the field of diversity at the HHU?
Since 2017 with the commencement of my work in the Diversity Steering Committee. - What motivated you to get involved?
I am deeply convinced that the challenges facing the university as an organization in times of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity can only be overcome together and cooperatively.
For me, the basis of this cooperative collaboration between the people of the university are values such as openness, trust, courage, fairness, eye-level communication and active participation. I believe that a culture of diversity - as we principally find it at the HHU - can significantly and sustainably improve community life on campus, increase the intrinsic motivation of university members, promote innovation and contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Therefore, it is a personal concern of mine to be committed to diversity at the Heinrich Heine University and to help shape it within the scope of my possibilities. - In your opinion, what can be done on the part of the HHU to continue, expand or support the results of the respective commitments?
What would you like to see the HHU do in the future with regard to diversity?
I would like the university management to persistently pursue and support the chosen path of promoting diversity at the university, so that the measures introduced will enable a sustainable cultural change at the HHU. - Why should others get involved? / Why is it worthwhile?
I believe that the reasons for getting involved are individually different and everyone will find their own motives. It is rewarding because it is fun to shape living on campus and to initiate change alongside fellow campus members. - What is the feedback from colleagues or students?
I have the feeling that many colleagues are still "strangers" to the topic of diversity. However, as soon as the topic is discussed in more detail, the colleagues quickly discover links in the most diverse areas and new ideas bubble up on how to reduce disadvantages and obstacles and promote collaboration in diversity. - Is there already a new project that you would like to tackle in the future and which you could already tell us about?
At the moment I am working on the accessibility of digital platforms for online teaching. But I am also looking forward to organizing a barcamp on gender-sensitive language together with my colleagues Dr. Jasmin Grande and Katharina Sternke-Hoffmann as soon as larger face-to-face events are possible again!
Damon Mohebbi
Prizewinner in the group of students
"Our society thrives on creative personalities who are committed to the common good, who represent the interests and rights of minorities and who are committed to the positive development of our coexistence."
Damon Mohebbi
- Degree / Profession
Medicine at the 8th semester - What you will be honoured for as a prizewinner? - Excerpts from the nomination letter
"Damon Mohebbi has been involved in student self-administration for several years as a spokesperson for university politics and has made an outstanding contribution to international students and students with problems in financing their studies. For example, Damon Mohebbi was involved in the audit process "Internationalization" of the HHU as a student representative. In addition, he organized the first scholarship fair of the AStA to particularly inform students about their chances who are not encouraged to apply by their parents. He is described by his fellow students as an above-average committed and supporting lateral thinker". - How long have you been involved in the field of diversity at the HHU?
Since the beginning of my studies in autumn 2015, I have been active as spokesperson for university politics in the General Students' Committee and since then I have been involved in the interface topic of diversity at various points. - What motivated you to get involved?
For students, their studies are often the linchpin of their own educational biography. However, access to higher education - even in a welfare state like Germany - depends largely on one's own background. In times of growing social inequality, it is all the more urgent to promote equal opportunities in education, for example for first generation students or students with a migratory background. Especially in our interconnected world of today, it is evident that we need open-minded cosmopolitans with a global perspective in order to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Universities must become increasingly aware of this (co-)responsibility. With my commitment I would like to contribute to the diversity on our campus and set an example of an inclusive, international university where everyone is welcome. - In your opinion, what can be done on the part of the HHU to continue, expand or support the results of the respective commitments?
What would you like to see the HHU do in the future with regard to diversity?
Since the beginning of my studies, the HHU has developed enormously with regard to diversity. The Diversity Coordination Office has been firmly established, a corresponding online portal has been set up and the Diversity Charter has been signed. All this is evidence of a lot of progress and development. Nevertheless, I hope not only to continue to raise awareness of diversity aspects on campus, but also to strengthen interest and desire to actively shape and participate. Students, staff and teachers can learn from and with each other in collective actions and campaigns. The topic of diversity could be taken up even more in studies and teaching, whether in lectures on the social structure of the Federal Republic of Germany or in seminars on cardiovascular diseases. Events to raise awareness of the various diversity dimensions, in which those affected also have a greater say, should be further consolidated and institutionalised. - Why should others get involved? / Why is it worthwhile?
On the one hand, a commitment is a great opportunity to get to know and challenge oneself. In doing so, you often leave your comfort zone and engage intensively with exciting topics. Secondly, this personal enrichment is complemented by the social significance. Our society thrives on creative personalities who are committed to the common good, who represent the interests and rights of minorities and who are committed to the positive development of our coexistence. Especially in the times of crisis that we are currently experiencing, we prove how strongly we function as a (university) community and never let anyone down! - What is the feedback from colleagues or students?
I often get appreciative feedback from friends and fellow students. Many appreciate my commitment and that of course makes me happy! I confidently counter fatalistic comments on the extent of an individual's commitment, because it remains the task of the individual not to be discouraged and to always defy indifference. - Is there already a new project that you would like to tackle in the future and which you could already tell us about?
In cooperation with the Department of Accessibility, we would like to tackle a series of events on mental health at university. Many students experience personal, financial and family pressures that can manifest themselves for example as depression, anxiety and eating disorders. We want to start here and offer a scientific approach to the topic while at the same time highlighting support programs within the campus and beyond.
Furthermore, due to the Corona-related cancellation of this year's scholarship fair, we would like to offer an alternative digital event. We are thinking here of an activity week where scholarship programmes with short videos on social media can introduce themselves and answer questions from interested parties. The project is very close to my heart as the original initiator of the event series.