The Johann-Andreas-Schubert Prize honors outstanding final dissertations from universities in Saxony that produce innovative ideas, application-oriented methods, or practical solutions. This year, two graduates from the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences—Marcel Kupke and Manuel Isensee—were among the award recipients.

The award ceremony took place on September 21, 2026, at the BMW Talent Campus in Leipzig. Dr. Jörg Brückner, president of the employers’ association, and Petra Peterhänsel, BMW plant manager, welcomed the guests, and Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer also addressed those in attendance.

Marcel Kupke completed the Cooperative Study Program with Integrated Training (KIA) in the automation and mechatronics degree programme. His industry partner was TRUMPF Sachsen SE in Neukirch. He wrote his Diplom thesis as part of the OekEffDatA research project under the supervision of Daniel Fiß.

Under the title “Efficiency Monitoring of Automation Systems Through the Design and Implementation of an Algorithm for the Automated Execution of Functional Tests on the ‘SheetMaster’ Automation Component AK09 as part of the OekEffDatA grant-funded project,” Marcel Kupke developed a machine diagnostic system for automation components and tested it using typical fault patterns.

The functional tests developed can detect issues such as leaks or blockages. This allows faults to be localized earlier, enables more targeted maintenance and troubleshooting, and reduces unplanned downtime. The thesis thus lays the groundwork for predictive maintenance of automated production systems.

Today, Marcel Kupke works in electrical engineering at TRUMPF Sachsen SE and continues to be involved in the OekEffDatA research project. He received second place and 700 euros in prize money for his Diplom thesis.

Manuel Isensee completed his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in sustainable production technologies. He wrote his Master's thesis at the Institute for Process Engineering, Process Automation, and Measurement Technology (IPM) at HSZG under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Martin Sturm and Christian Vogel.

In his thesis , “Simulation of a Representative Disassembly Process in the Context of a Greenhouse Gas-Neutral Circular Economy —Conceptualization, Modeling, and Evaluation within the CircEcon Project,” Manuel Isensee investigated how a disassembly plant can be designed to flexibly dismantle various products and subsequently reuse or recycle as many components and raw materials as possible.

Using a simulation, he demonstrated that different product components can be disassembled with an efficient material flow. The results also provide important insights for the actual construction and design of such a facility.

The approach aims to shift the focus of recycling more strongly toward the targeted recovery and reuse of valuable raw materials. Companies can first test new disassembly strategies in a controlled environment and then apply the insights gained to their operational conditions.

Manuel Isensee currently works in the Robotics Department at the IPM. His next step will be to join a group of early-career researchers focusing on back-end production in the semiconductor industry. He received 800 euros in prize money for his Master's thesis.

The award-winning final dissertations are closely linked to research projects and concrete applications in industry and research. At the same time, they demonstrate the importance of academic guidance for final dissertations at a university of applied sciences. These two awards demonstrate how closely final dissertations at HSZG can be linked to research, teaching, and practical applications.