German Science Day 2023

Through a rich program, which included presentations of German universities, scientific talks, a panel discussion, success stories from DAAD alumni, and soft skills modules, as well as one-on-one-meeting sessions with German professors and information booths & counselling, the event succeeded in creating a space of exchange between promising doctoral and post-doctoral candidates and professors, scientists and experts from Germany and Egypt. “I came here to understand how to take action to give a positive turn to my academic career in Germany, the country of opportunities,” an attendee stated in a personal interview at the beginning of the programme, expressing genuine enthusiasm in joining the event.

The German Science Day kicked off with opening remarks by the director of the DAAD Regional Office Cairo, Dr Carsten-Michael Walbiner, who defined Egypt as “the land of dimensions”, referring to its grandeur, from the size of landscapes up to projects, universities and events, while recalling the depth of Egyptian-German relations established over time. Ms Lorena Mohr (Head of Science and Protocol at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Egypt) joined him in inviting individuals and organisations to continue working on strengthening these existing bridges between Germany and Egypt, highlighting the beneficial results of exchange between the two countries. After a brief summary of the event’s programme by Ms Nermine Abdelaty (DAAD Regional Office Cairo), Dr Walbiner gave a presentation on the DAAD, explaining its motto “Change by exchange” and clarifying its contribution to scientific collaboration together with some more in-depth insights on the specificities of the German research landscape. This session was followed by a comprehensive overview of the funding mechanisms to pursue an academic career in Germany. In this context, Ms Heba Ahmed (DAAD Regional Office Cairo) outlined the two available options involving either the individual or the project funding opportunities (cf. Annex). The final Q&A time offered attendees a dedicated space to expand on the necessary steps to continue their research projects in Germany. On this occasion, speakers invited potential candidates to carry out further personal research, using the event as a stepping-stone to cross that bridge that will take their academic, professional, and personal life to the next level.

After a lively break, where participants and speakers connected and exchanged contacts, the event continued in a different format, involving a series of parallel sessions. In one room, Dr Mona El Tobgui (National Research Centre) offered valuable insights on the crucial question for PhD candidates: “How to contact a German professor/supervisor?”. During this engaging soft skills mini-module, Dr El Tobgui highlighted the importance of believing in oneself, warning candidates about the risk of relying on only one professor and rather focusing on preparing an impressive candidate profile and elevator pitch to be presented to a number of potential suitable supervisors. In the meantime, Dr Karim Selim (Suez Canal University) shared his inspiring experience through the alumni report: “Studying in Germany: Insights and Lessons Learned”. To complement this presentation, where attendees could learn about major differences between the Egyptian and German academic systems, such as the teaching style, the assessment and grading methods, the smaller size of classes, and the need to develop a team-working attitude, M. Sc. Ingy Nafie (Technische Universität Berlin) described the specific experience of doing research at TU Berlin. In parallel, Ms. Irene El Khorazaty illustrated the benefits of doing a PhD and Postdoc at the Philipps-Universität Marburg. Attendees gathering in this room could also receive information on the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation from Assoc. Prof. Ebaa El-Hossary (Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority/National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology), who invited all interested candidates to visit the Foundation’s stand during the lunch break.

The parallel sessions proceeded with another alumni report by Mr Mohamed Ismael from Cairo University, followed by the presentation of another German University by Mr Bertram Welker, representing Freie Universität Berlin. Simultaneously, two insightful scientific talks took place. On the one hand, M. Sc. Ayman Riad (TU Berlin) analysed the distinguished characteristics of public spaces in Egypt, mentioning different projects to improve urban mobility in his presentation: “Urban Perspectives in Cairo, Insights on Urban Economy”. On the other hand, Prof. Dr Michael Bacher (Philipps-Universität Marburg) delved into the research topic “Better Understanding of Immune Processes in the Brain Paves the Way for Improved Therapy of Alzheimer’s Dementia”.

With the rich number of inputs received in the first part of the day, participants took the time during the lunch break to have one-to-one counselling sessions and to visit the stands set on the second floor with staff from different German Universities and Institutions available to offer any needed information. The number of people expressing interest and raising relevant questions during both organised sessions and informal one-to-one conversations positively surprised organisers and speakers. As Dr Selim stated in an interview following the session, it was impressive to see the interest of a great amount of young Egyptian researchers in pursuing their academic career in Germany. Similarly, Dr El Tobgui pointed out the remarkable active engagement and serious interest shown by participants during her session.

Thanks to this animated atmosphere, after lunch participants resumed with renewed energy to the final series of parallel sessions. Potential candidates could receive further insights from previous experiences in Germany through the alumni report “The Role of Social Sciences in Development” by Ass. Prof. Reem Raslan (Cairo University). Other information on opportunities in Germany was offered by Prof. Dr Raoul Zoellner from Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, by Mr Karim Zafer from the University of Cologne and by Ms Eva Lichtenberger from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). In addition, a series of scientific talks were conducted, including “Life in River Deltas: From Global Water Crises to Situated Challenges” by Dr Franz Krause (University of Cologne) and “Integrated Mobility Boosted by AI” by Prof. Dr Zoellner. Meanwhile, thrilling soft skills modules on the strategies to win at the interview and to develop critical thinking were led respectively by Mr Alaa Shaheen (Beit al Karma Academy) and the trainer Ms Suzan Scheffen. “In the current ‘VUCA World’ (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) is crucial to demonstrate flexibility, curiosity and, above all, critical thinking,” Ms Scheffen affirmed, explaining the increasing demand for soft skills in the current academic and professional context.

Drawing from the information shared during the entire day, the final panel discussion moderated by Dr Walbiner evolved around the topic: “Higher Education, Research and Scientific Collaboration at Times of Uncertainty?”. The five panelists, coming from five different German universities specifically to participate in this event, all agreed on the necessity to continue strengthening German-Egyptian academic exchange, while proposing different options to effectively face the current volatile, unpredictable, and uncertain global context, where cooperation is needed more than ever. In this context, it was mentioned the expression ‘Brain Circulation’ to indicate the positive result of what is commonly referred to as the negative phenomenon of ‘Brain Drain’. On this basis, the event ended with positive remarks encouraging all potential candidates to believe in their research project and to take action for the fulfillment of their academic and professional aspirations abroad. Expressing gratitude for the precious support of DAAD staff and their continuous work, speakers reaffirmed the uncountable benefits of academic exchange as well as the added value that foreign researchers can bring to the chosen country; as a speaker stated: “Germany needs you more than you need Germany”.