Education enables careers
Three young people from developing countries tell how Germany accompanied them on their educational journeys.
Umarah Mubeen, Pakistani doctoral student at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPIMP) in Potsdam
“To be awarded with the German Green Talents prize in 2013 was a great opportunity not only to learn about the German research landscape and the ongoing cutting edge research in the field of sustainability, but also to present my work to brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds and collect innovative ideas and support. In addition to an extensive tour to the hotspots of sustainability research, the Green Talents program also offers support for the research stay in Germany to flourish the collaborative scientific exchange. For my research stay, I joined the Systems Metabolomics Group at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPIMP) in Potsdam-Golm. This led me to apply for an International Max Planck Research Scholarship (IMPRS) to continue my studies as a doctoral student at MPIMP. In May 2019, I received the renowned Jeff Schell award for outstanding research for my doctoral work at MPIMP.”
Farirai Mubvuma from Zimbabwe, Human Resources Business Partner at the London office of the German software corporation SAP
“From 2016 to 2018, I took part in Afrika kommt!, a programme by the German private sector for young professionals and executives from sub-Saharan Africa. As part of the initiative, large German companies offer young African leaders the chance to gain an insight into their operations whilst also leveraging their skills. As a human resources specialist, I worked at the SAP headquarters in Walldorf. I’ve benefited from this job experience, but also from the numerous network activities of Afrika kommt!. The participants in the programme have very different backgrounds and one of my biggest lessons was how powerful the diversity of thought can be. Working for a multinational company like SAP whilst being in Germany, showed me intensely how important it is to make people feel included. Without inclusion, diversity is just a number, a buzzword with little to no effect. My time during the programme gave me a platform to share, grow and learn. Currently, I am an Human Resources Business Partner at the London office of SAP. I still benefit from my experiences with Afrika kommt!, since I strategically partner with our business leaders on a diverse range of people related topics such as diversity and inclusion which I am passionate about.”
Dr Nyanda Elias Ntinginya, Director of the NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Center in Tanzania
“Thanks to the funding by the German programme exceed I was able to do my PhD from 2013 to 2017 at the Center for International Health (CIH) at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich. The PhD has been decisive for me to continue my scientific career in Tanzania. During the whole process, I have gained not only scientific experience, but also organisational and intercultural competences. At the CIH I had the great opportunity to cooperate with a lot of internationally renowned scientists. International cooperation is key for our work at the NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Center in Tanzania. There has always been a close exchange between German and Tanzanian researchers at the center. Sustainable international exchange and cooperation is top of our agenda. This way, we can continue adding value to our country, but also to the world in terms of science and research.”
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