Ernst Hahn has been awarded the Hugo von Ritgen Medal by TH Mittelhessen. This award is given by THM to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the university.
At a ceremony, THMPresident Prof. Dr. Günther Grabatin explained the high significance of this recognition. Ernst Hahn, advisor in the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport and Regional Development, is only the fourth recipient of the Ritgen Medal since it was first awarded in 2005.
In his welcoming address, the Hessian Minister of Economic Affairs, Tarek Al-Wazir, described the professional and personal qualities of his employee, who has been working in the ministry since 1981, is committed to promoting regional development, and also sees it as his duty to support young company founders.
In his laudatory speech, Vice President Prof. Dr. Frank Runkel justified the award by citing Hahn's commitment to establishing the Medical Technology Application Center at TH Mittelhessen. Completed in 2011, the center was financed by funding programs from the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art, the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the European Union. Located on the campus on Gutfleischstrasse in Giessen , the center houses laboratories used equally by young medical technology companies and for collaborative projects between the university and industry. Runkel stated that Ernst Hahn provided invaluable assistance in developing the concept and securing funding, consistently building bridges between academia and industry, thereby serving the entire medical technology sector in Central Hesse, and earning the respect of all involved as a "quiet achiever." Runkel concluded: "Everything that the idea behind our Hugo von Ritgen Medal embodies is perfectly captured in your person."
In his acceptance speech, the honoree expressed his great joy, which he was happy to share with the ministry team and the cooperation partners from THM . Finally, he revealed to the audience his personal three-C indicator for successful collaboration: "The right minds, the right concepts, and the right money. In our case, that worked very well."
