RWTH Aachen University Notable Alumni List
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Many RWTH Aachen graduates have gone on to achieve great things in different fields like science, politics, and business. The RWTH Aachen University's notable alumni are Hugo Junkers, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, Necmettin Erbakan, Karl Lauterbach, Peter Debye, etc.
RWTH Aachen University, located in Germany, is one of the top technical universities in the world. Founded in 1870, it has a strong focus on engineering and technology. The university is known for its innovative research and high-quality education, attracting students from all over the globe. RWTH Aachen ranks 99th in the QS World University Rankings 2025. RWTH has also been listed among the top 100 world universities for international students.
Over the years, RWTH Aachen has produced many notable alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields. Among them are influential politicians like B.J. Habibie, the third President of Indonesia, and Necmettin Erbakan, a former Prime Minister of Turkey. The university has also nurtured successful business leaders and scientists, including Karl Lauterbach, Germany's Minister of Health.
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With a diverse alumni network that includes over 28,000 active members worldwide, RWTH Aachen University continues to impact society through its graduates' achievements. The article has a list of top alumni from RWTH Aachen University and their remarkable accomplishments.
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Top 10 RWTH Aachen University Notable Alumni
Boasting an alumni network of 28,000+ members across the globe, RWTH Aachen University has a strong legacy of producing thousands of excellent minds, science geniuses, artists, and world leaders.
RWTH is among the leading European scientific and research institutions. As per the latest admission statistics, the RWTH Aachen University acceptance rate is approximately 10% for international students reflecting a highly competitive and selective admissions process.
Here is the list of the top 10 notable alumni from different corners of the world who have pursued education at RWTH Aachen University.
| Names |
Profession |
|---|---|
| Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie |
Third president of Indonesia and Engineer |
| Necmettin Erbakan |
Former Prime Minister of Turkey |
| Karl Lauterbach |
Federal Minister of Health of Germany |
| Peter Debye |
Dutch-American physicist |
| August Kekulé |
German organic chemist |
| Karlheinz Brandenburg |
German electrical engineer and mathematician |
| Harald Krüger |
Former CEO of BMW |
| Inga Humpe |
German singer and songwriter |
| Karl Ziegler |
German chemist |
| Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim |
German chemist and science communicator |
Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie
Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, often known as BJ Habibie, was the third President of Indonesia from 1998 to 1999. He completed his engineering degree in aerospace from the RWTH Aachen University.
Apart from his political career, he is well-recognised for his contributions to the field of Engineering and Science. His contribution extends to the aviation sector, where he developed the country’s first indigenous aircraft, the N-250.
Necmettin Erbakan
Necmettin Erbakan was a prominent Turkish politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Turkey from 1996 to 1997. Erbakan pursued his degree in mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen University in Germany.
Necmettin Erbakan founded the National Salvation Party (MSP) in 1972 where he tried to shift Turkey's foreign policy towards the Islamic world. His political ideology and efforts to reshape the nation's political and economic structure have encouraged many people for the betterment of the country.
Karl Lauterbach
Karl Lauterbach is a prominent German physician. Karl is best known for his role as the Federal Minister of Health in Germany, health economist, and politician.
Karl completed his medical studies at RWTH Aachen University and pursued advanced studies in health economics and public health. Karl Lauterbach holds a doctorate in health economics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his measures to curb the virus's spread had a significant impact on the country’s health.
Peter Debye
Peter Debye was a renowned Dutch-American physicist. Debye was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1936 due to his contributions to molecular structures and forces. Debye was born in Maastricht, Netherlands on March 24, 1884, he pursued his education at RWTH Aachen University.
Peter Debye received several prestigious awards throughout his career for his contributions to Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Some of his popular achievements include the Lavoisier Medal (1929), Max Planck Medal (1949), Rumford Medal (1930), Faraday Lectureship Prize (1933), Lorentz Medal (1935), and more.
August Kekulé
August Kekulé is a well-known German organic chemist. He was born on September 7, 1829, in Darmstadt, Germany. August is popular for his work in organic chemistry.
August Kekulé received his doctorate in 1857 and later contributed to the advancement of chemical research. August Kekule is also closely associated with RWTH Aachen University and has worked to advance the study of organic reactions for international students.
Karlheinz Brandenburg
Karlheinz Brandenburg is a renowned German electrical engineer and mathematician. Brandenburg studied electrical engineering at RWTH Aachen University. He earned his doctorate in 1989 in electrical engineering from RWTH. Karlheinz Brandenburg was born on June 20, 1954, in Erlangen, Germany. He is well-recognised for the development of the MP3 codec in the world of digital audio.
Harald Krüger
Harald Krüger is the former CEO of BMW AG. He was born on August 29, 1966, and pursued his Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University.
Harald led the BMW company from 2015 to 2020 contributing to the innovation and sustainability of the company. His key contributions to the company's advancement include driving innovation in digital transformation and the development of autonomous driving technology.
Inga Humpe
Inga Humpe is a famous German singer, songwriter, and producer. Humpe was born on 13 January 1956 in Hagen, West Germany. Some of her most famous songs include Codo, Ick bin ooch von hier, 2raumwohnung, Auf uns, and others. Inga Humpe started her musical career in the late 1980s and eventually became famous in the German music industry.
Karl Ziegler
Karl Ziegler is a popular German chemist. He was born on 26 November 1898, in Helsa, Germany. He studied chemistry at RWTH Aachen University in polymer chemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963 due to his contribution to the plastics industry.
Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim
Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim is a famous German chemist and science communicator. She was born on 7 August 1987 (age 37 years), in Heppenheim, Germany, and completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at RWTH Aachen University. Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim is well-recognised for her YouTube channel, maiLab. Her videos cover a wide range of subjects, including environmental science, public health, and debunking pseudoscience. Due to her work in science communication, she has been awarded the prestigious Grimme Online Award.
The alumni network of RWTH Aachen University extends beyond individual achievements. Many alumni have taken leadership roles in various sectors, influencing policies, advancing technology, and contributing to scientific research.
Q: Is RWTH Aachen prestigious?
Q: Is Aachen expensive for students?
Living costs in Aachen are moderate. While tuition fees at public universities are low, students should plan for expenses like housing, food, and transportation. Overall, it can be affordable for many students.
Q: What is the minimum CGPA for admission to RWTH Aachen?
The minimum CGPA needed for admission can vary by program. Generally, a good academic record is expected, often around 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or similar). However, just meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission since it can be competitive.
Q: Is RWTH an elite university?
Yes, RWTH Aachen is regarded as an elite university, especially in engineering and technical fields. It ranks highly in various national and international rankings and has a strong reputation among employers.
Q: Is it hard to get into Aachen University?
Admission to RWTH Aachen can be competitive, particularly for popular programs. Applicants typically need to demonstrate strong academic performance and relevant qualifications. The difficulty of acceptance may vary depending on the specific programme and the number of applicants each year.
Q: What is the best university in Germany?
There are several top universities in Germany. RWTH Aachen is often ranked among the best, along with Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and Technical University of Munich (TUM). The "best" university can depend on the subject you want to study.
Q: What is the cost of a student visa in Germany?
International students going to pursue higher education in Germany are required to apply for a German study visa. The cost of study visa for Germany is EUR 75 per applicant. Below we have provided a check list for German student visa:
- Valid passport
- Application form
- Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information
- Copy of passport
- Proof of admittance to the study course
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Financial Means
Q: Is BSBI degree valid in Germany?
BSBI does not hold degree-awarding powers in Germany and its programmes are validated by private Italian distance learning institution UniNettuno International Telematic University. BSBI has also partnered with Concordia University Chicago to deliver programmes at its Berlin campus.
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Yes, RWTH Aachen University is considered prestigious. It is consistently ranked among the top universities globally and is known for its strong focus on engineering and technology. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, it ranks 99th, highlighting its academic excellence and reputation.