Iatimad Mabrouk and Zhen Yang have been awarded the Reza Mehran Advancement Prize at the Giessen -Friedberg University of Applied Sciences. The Moroccan and Chinese students received the award, which came with a total prize of €1,600, for outstanding achievements during their studies so far.

Iatimad Mabrouk, the recipient of the first prize, is studying electrical engineering in Friedberg. The 26-year-old Moroccan, who is currently completing her practical semester at Siemens in Frankfurt, came to Germany in 2003. Her parents encouraged her to study abroad. Although electrical engineering is considered a typical male-dominated field, she has always had an aptitude for natural sciences and can well imagine pursuing a doctorate after her undergraduate studies. According to the university's presidium , the aspiring electrical engineer has so far mastered the challenges of studying abroad in an exemplary manner. When asked about the biggest hurdles, she cites the difficulty of learning German to the point where she can confidently communicate in everyday situations as well as in lectures. The prize means a great deal to her, she said upon receiving it, adding that even though she speaks perfect German, she lacks the words to express her joy at receiving the award.

Zhen Yang, who came to Germany in 2001, cites the global reputation of German industry and the quality of its products as one of the reasons for his move. His interest in technology led him to pursue a degree in mechatronics at the University of Applied Sciences in Friedberg, an academic programme that, in his opinion, combines components of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science in a professionally advantageous way. The 26-year-old student is currently looking for a placement for his practical semester. Afterward, he will begin his diploma project to complete his studies. He describes the prize as "a great motivation for my further studies and professional life." He plans to invest the prize money, among other things, in gifts for his parents, "so that they, too, can feel this honor." He sees one of his future tasks as contributing to the building of a "bridge between Europe and China" that can promote international understanding.

Prize founder Dr. Reza Mehran was a professor at the Friedberg Department of Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, and Mechatronics. His initiative stems from his own experiences during his studies at RWTH Aachen University. He received a prize after completing his undergraduate studies. More than the prize money, the recognition it brought motivated him to successfully complete his degree. The now-retired professor hopes to achieve a similar motivating effect with the prize he has established for international students at the Giessen -Friedberg University of Applied Sciences.