24.09.2021

Leadership Category – Zaynab Dawood

Zaynab Dawood, founder of the “Women Who Inspire” network, won in the Leadership category. This category sought positive role models who inspire their teams through authentic leadership and provide individuals with space for personal development. Emphasis was placed on promoting intercultural, diverse, and progressive understanding. As the founder of Women Who Inspire, Zaynab Dawood has demonstrated herself as a strong leader forging an inspiring path. Through Women Who Inspire, she has created an organization that advocates for networking and empowering Muslim women in STEM fields in Germany. Key areas of focus include enhancing the visibility of Muslim women in STEM fields and fostering connections, lectures, and discussions on current topics and career paths.

Innovation – Cornelia Rojacher

Cornelia Rojacher, Head of the Business Unit “Optics” at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, was honoured in the Innovation category. She not only coordinates institute-wide activities in optics and leads large-scale research projects but is also primarily responsible for establishing and directing the newly founded Aachen Center for Optics Production (ACOP) this year. She has collaborated with partners from academia and industry and created a unique technology incubator for optics production in Central Europe. Additionally, Cornelia Rojacher is pursuing a doctoral degree at RWTH Aachen University on innovative optics designs to enhance the functionality of optical systems and avoid environmentally harmful coatings. Her professional dedication and outstanding achievements led to her selection as a fellow in the two-year TALENTA funding program of the Fraunhofer Society in 2019.

Social Impact Category – First Generation Aachen

The First Generation Aachen e.V. won the award in the Social Impact category this year, an initiative aimed at supporting students from non-academic backgrounds. The organization offers various support services for students from non-academic households, contributing to more significant equity and diversity at Aachen’s universities. By striving to create a more diverse and inclusive university community, the initiative aims to change structures and fundamentally facilitate fundamental access for historically disadvantaged groups. The FGA e.V., places particular emphasis on the representation of women. Gender-sensitive issues and challenges within the university environment are integral to the organization’s work, and networking events specifically encourage women to showcase their potential and abilities.