Surname, First name: Stüven, Olaf
Nationality: German
Town, Region: Stade, Niedersachsen, Germany
Course of study/Qualification: Process Engineering, Diploma
Year of graduation: 2004
Employer and position: Dow Deutschland, Werk Stade, Responsible Care Director / Geschäftsführer

“Solving technical challenges – and taking on responsibility early on”

Mr Stüven, what led you to choose this course of study at Hamburg University of Technology back then?Even at a young age, I wanted to combine my interest in technology with my enthusiasm for chemistry. The course gave me the opportunity to bring these two fields together and to develop my skills as a chemical technician in a targeted way.

How would you describe the character of Hamburg University of Technology in three words?Hamburg University of Technology is characterised by a friendly atmosphere, personal support and high technical standards.

Was there an unforgettable experience for you during your time at the university?
Meeting the woman who is now my wife.

What happened after you finished your studies, and what do you do now?
I joined Dow Germany straight out of university as an engineer at the site near Leipzig, later moving to the Stade site. During my time there, I took on various roles with significant responsibility.

What innovations or developments have you driven forward in your company? And what do you enjoy most?
Whether as a plant engineer or a plant manager – I have always been solving technical challenges. I particularly value the entrepreneurial nature of the work at Dow, as it offers freedom and responsibility from an early stage.

Even 20 years after graduating, you still regularly attend alumni events and, through DOW, are a member of the TUHH Foundation. What benefits do you see in such a network?
I value the professional and personal exchanges that take place outside the usual setting; these have already given rise to some very interesting projects.

What would you ask an all-knowing researcher from the future?
How can we solve the energy problem?

If you were President of the Technical University of Hamburg…

I would continue to focus on engineering topics, expand clusters of excellence and intensify collaboration with regional start-ups and established companies.