In This Issue:
Exciting statistics on German Higher Education Wissenschaft weltoffen 2015: Trends in International Student Mobility Research in Germany Career Fair and Workshop at GAIN 2015 DAAD awards Theodor-Berchem Prize to Prof. Ryuichi Higuchi
Visit: daad.org Email: [email protected]

July 24, 2015

Exciting statistics on German Higher Education

2014 was a record-breaking year in German higher education! A total of 301,350 international students enrolled at German universities—an increase of 19,000 (7%) from the year before, and the first time this figure surpassed the 300,000 mark. Now 1 out of every 9 students in Germany hails from abroad, indicating global recognition of the high quality of its universities. In relation to this, the German government has nearly tripled its investments in higher education since 2005.

The number of international master's students is currently around 67,000—more than three times the 2008 figure—with 91 percent of students successfully completing their degrees in Germany, and 60 percent who intend to stay after graduation.

Looking in the opposite direction, the amount of German students who opt for an Erasmus semester, internship or language program abroad rose from 32% in 2013 to 37% in 2014. Germany’s goal by 2020 is to have half of its students obtain international academic experience before graduating.

Wissenschaft weltoffen 2015: Trends in International Student Mobility

2014 saw record-breaking levels of foreign student enrollments in Germany, surpassing the 300,000 mark for the first time ever and putting the country on a fast track towards its goal of admitting 350,000 foreign students by 2020. This and many more exciting developments in German higher education are documented in the brand new edition of Wissenschaft weltoffen, co-produced by DAAD, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the German Center for Research on Higher Education and Science Studies (DZHW).

Germany is now the third most popular host country for international students, with its master programs in engineering attracting the largest proportion. Federal Minister of Education Johanna Wanka interpreted the influx of international students as a global acknowledgement of the high quality and attractiveness of German universities.

In Wissenschaft weltoffen, DAAD analyses the role of Germany in international knowledge exchange. For the 2015 edition, it focuses on the topic of integration among international Master students into everyday life. It notes large improvements in the recognition of coursework thanks to the Bologna Process, but still considerable language barriers hindering contact between foreign and local students.

The complete report can be accessed at: http://www.wissenschaftweltoffen.de/publikation/wiwe_2015_verlinkt.pdf

Research in Germany Career Fair and Workshop at GAIN 2015

More than 60 German universities, research institutions and funding agencies will present their programs and job offers at the 15th Annual GAIN Meeting in San Francisco, the largest German science and research career fair in the U.S.

The opening day of the three-day conference is open to non-German doctoral and postdoctoral students, as well as assistant professors seeking information on transatlantic careers and collaborations. Master’s students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in Germany can also benefit from attending. This is a unique opportunity to talk to the leading experts of Europe’s largest economy and one of the leading powerhouses of international research and innovation.

Career Fair: Friday, August 28, 2015 8:30am - 11:00am
Participants are invited to attend the career fair with over 60 exhibitors from all areas of the German research landscape. Our experts are looking forward to meeting you at their booths.

Workshop: Friday, August 28, 2015 8:30am - 9:30am
This workshop is targeted to doctoral and postdoctoral students, as well as assistant professors. It provides information on postdoctoral careers in Germany, how to set up a research team as junior faculty, as well as opportunities in non-university institutions and industry. All disciplines are welcome. The session will cover funding schemes for international researchers from outside of Germany. German scientists are encouraged to attend another concurrent session.

Registration: The event is free of charge; however, prior registration is required at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RiGGAIN2015

DAAD awards Theodor-Berchem Prize to Prof. Ryuichi Higuchi

DAAD’s 2015 Theodor Berchem Prize was awarded to Japanese musicologist Prof. Ryuichi Higuchi by President Margret Wintermantel earlier this month. He is honored for his outstanding commitment to the scientific exchange and international relations between Japan and Germany.

Dr. Wintermantel commended Prof. Higuchi in particular for his leadership role in DAAD Tomo no Kai, the alumni association in Japan, which boasts one of the largest membership numbers worldwide. He was also lauded for his efforts in promoting dialog between Germany and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Prof. Higuchi teaches musicology at the Meiji Gakuin University and is an internationally renowned expert on German cultural history. Having conducted orchestras around the world, he most recently collaborated in DAAD’s Japan-Korea partnership program with the Academy of Music in Weimar. Prof. Higuchi continues to build networks of scientific expertise throughout East Asia with universities in Germany and other European countries.

The Theodor Berchem Prize was initiated in 2011 to honor figures who have experienced and promoted the international and intercultural dimension of higher education in an outstanding manner. The prize is endowed with 10,000 euros, funded from donations made to DAAD, and is awarded every two years.