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collection of worldwide Awards

What started over 20 years ago as
the first international youth contact
between the invention institutions
KIPA in South Korea and the DEV-HAG-
KIT-Youth-Initiative in Germany as an
inconspicuous seedling has developed
magic provide confidence and avoid inhibition
into a colorful plant with fruitful coop-
erations with numerous international
youth invention institutions.
All of this could only be made possi-
ble through the tireless commitment
of DEV-KIT initiator Hans- Georg Torkel
at the national level and worldwide
through Winfried Sturm as an inter-
national STEM- Ambassador. Special
thanks and recognition go to the re-
cently deceased close friend, mak-
er, visionary and initiator Hans-Georg
Torkel.
He is particularly proud of the STEM innovation In the personal life of the jubilarian, two
workshop «HAG» founded in 1982 for young tin- painful cuts have left lasting marks. At
IFIA Magazine September 2025 led by him today. The special focus is on inven- operation, resulting in an 80 percent
into an
kerers, which has developed
in- the age of 43, Winfried Sturm had to
ternationally awarded training center and is still undergo a life-saving total stomach
tions that make everyday life easier for people disability. To this day, he is tormented
with disabilities. At many inventor exhibitions by another wound caused
organized by IFIA, the international jury was im- by the accidental death of his eldest
pressed by the innovative HAG developments, son, who was tragically taken from
which is also reflected in the recognition of many the family in 2006 at the age of 28.
awards. Among the most significant honors are But Sturm successfully fought against
the award for «Teacher of the Year in Germany» these blows of fate, accepted them as
and the conferral of the «Staufer Merit Medal» challenges, and remained true to his vi-
from the state of Baden-Württemberg. sionary ideas.
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