In September 2020, the JKU welcomed Enrique Prado Navarrete from Mexico as the first Wilhelm Macke Foundation scholarship recipient. Selected from numerous applicants, and based on an outstanding Bachelor's degree and an impressive interview, he enrolled in a graduate physics program (Nanoscience and Technology) at the JKU. Now, four years later, the Wilhelm Macke Committee is delighted to congratulate him on successfully earning a Master's degree as part of Prof. Moritz Brehm's group!

Enrique Prado Navarrete spoke about his studies at the JKU remarked: “Being part of Assoc. Prof. Brehm's research group at the Institute of Semiconductor and Solid-State Physics at the JKU was an inspirational experience. I was able to work together with people from other countries and work with state-of-the-art equipment, giving me valuable insight into innovative cutting-edge research. Studying at the JKU has broadened my horizons and opened up exciting new career opportunities - it's a really special place to grow academically and professionally.”

Three additional graduate students (from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Canada) are currently studying physics at the JKU, also thanks to the Wilhelm Macke Foundation Scholarship. In the near future, another student from Mexico will begin studies in Linz.

Established in 1998, the Wilhelm Macke Foundation has been presenting the Wilhelm Macke Award (endowed with € 1,600 in prize money) annually in recognition of outstanding JKU Master's theses in physics. Each fall, there is another award in which nominated candidates present their respective thesis topics to an audience of high school students. The students select the winner, who then receives an additional € 1,600.