DAAD celebrates 100th anniversary
The DAAD has been supporting international research exchanges for 100 years. Steinmeier: “Work more important than ever.”
On the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has stressed the importance of science, academia and research. “In an age when we are experiencing a new fascination with authoritarianism, in which nationalism is rife in Europe once again, and in which new dangers are looming over academic freedom, independent thought which crosses borders and the DAAD and its work are more important than ever,” said Steinmeier in a video message to the DAAD’s anniversary celebrations in Berlin.
The DAAD’s mission was to promote “change through exchange”, said DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee (photo). Prof. Mukherjee also stressed that the organisation’s programmes and global networks were more urgently needed than ever in the face of geopolitical tensions, growing systemic competition and global challenges.
Some 500 guests were invited to the ceremony, including the Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor and ambassadors of other countries, along with representatives of academic and scientific bodies such as the Helmholtz Association.
Over its 100 years of history, the DAAD has supported 3 million students and academics from Germany, Europe and other countries to help advance their academic careers around the world. The support includes scholarships and international projects by German higher education institutions in every corner of the globe.
The Federal Foreign Office is the primary source of the DAAD’s funding. Other funding bodies include the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Development Ministry and the EU.