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Dear DAAD Friends and Alumni!🎓
Welcome to our last edition of the DAAD Australia Newsletter in 2023.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your ongoing interest in academic exchange between Australia and Germany. In many ways this year has offered great opportunities for networking and collaboration through lively events and a wide range of funding programs.
Today, we are excited to bring you insightful articles from the DAAD and the research community in Australia and Germany, along with personal portraits and reflections on academic exchange experiences.
This Newsletter includes information and updates on our key topics:
● DAAD University Winter Course 2024
- Meet four university students traveling to Germany
● DAAD Australia's recent event involvement and support:
- Conference of the German Studies Association of Australia
- Australian is 3rd winner of the Falling Walls Lab Berlin 2023
- Research Ambassador presents at Digital Health Workshop Sydney
● News and Updates
- DAAD Alumni Australia News
- Leibniz Prize 2023 for DAAD Alumnae and Alumni
- Research in Germany - "Citizen Science"
- DAAD Report "Wissenschaft weltoffen 2023"
● Announcements
- Scholarships, Grants & Funding Programs
- University Advertisements
We hope you will enjoy reading this edition.
The Team at the IC Sydney sends you best wishes for the festive season!
Have a peaceful holiday time and a wonderful start into
the New Year 2024!
Stay in touch with the DAAD Information Centre in Sydney,
with kind regards,
Silke Schoppe and Michael Rieke
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DAAD Australia - Information Centre Sydney Contact Details
Festive Season Details
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The Information Centre will be closed:
from 20th December 2023 to 1st January 2024
For enquiries and information, please contact the DAAD Information Centre in Sydney:
Telephone: +61272088119
Email: info@daad-australia.org
Teleconferencing: please contact us via email, and our friendly staff will arrange an appointment and provide you with an access link.
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DAAD University Winter Course 2024 | |
This scholarship program is designed for students, graduates and doctoral candidates. It aims to help them improve their knowledge of the German language as well as German regional and cultural studies.
Find further information about the DAAD University Winter Course here.
Next year's deadline for applications for 2025 will be on 15 August 2024 (tbc).
Meet four of this year's DAAD Australia's successful candidates who will be traveling to Germany in January 2024 to participate in the Hochschulwinterkurs at various German universities:
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"From a young age, I have always loved the German language and wanted to get to know it better while also being on the other side of the world. As much as language lessons and university study have helped, I am so grateful to the DAAD for affording me the opportunity to travel to Freiburg University in 2024 as part of the Hochschulwinterkurs so I can study the German language and culture. I can’t wait to experience Germany in my daily life and improve my language skills, while also creating connections with other students who love Germany as much as I do!"
Bridget Gard, Macquarie University, Sydney
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“I am beyond excited to participate in the Hochschulwinterkurs and study German in Berlin in Winter! It is the perfect combination! I am so looking forward to meeting all the other students from many different locations and bonding over our shared love of the German language and culture. It will also be amazing to practice and use my language skills everyday, especially given how rarely I am able to at home. I cannot wait to explore the exciting and famous city of Berlin with new-found friends! I am so thankful for this opportunity and look forward to strengthening and growing my German proficiency through the program!”
Flynn Collier, Monash University, Melbourne
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"I am very much looking forward to completing the DAAD Winterkurs in Munich beginning in January. This programme presents a valuable opportunity both to improve my German language skills and to develop my deep if unscholarly interest in German culture from Bach to Beckenbauer. Munich itself is a beautiful city and, in light of my passion for football, an ideal place for me to study and explore. I am very grateful to the DAAD for this remarkable opportunity to build upon my foundational knowledge of the German language and culture."
Charlie Fine, University of Sydney
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"My girlfriend thinks I must be crazy: trading the Australian summer for a snowy six weeks in Leipzig. Yet even though there are sure to be some challenges along the way (not just the climate!), I’m truly grateful to have such a wonderful opportunity. For me, this scholarship represents a chance to experience a vibrant urban culture, learn about a colourful history, and immerse myself in the German language. I can’t wait to get started".
Jesse Allen, University of Melbourne
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DAAD Australia at the International German Studies Conference in Sydney | |
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At the Conference of the German Studies Association of Australia (GSAA) which took place recently at the University of Sydney in December, academics from around the world gathered to present their latest research on the topic ‘Widerstand/Resistance’. The IC Sydney took the opportunity to inform on academic exchange options as well as funding programs and for networking. We met with many colleagues, among them, DAAD lecturer, Andreas Wiebel (University of Melbourne), Dr Stefan Hajduk, (University of Adelaide) and Dr Diana Feick (University of Auckland, New Zealand) as well as many DAAD Ortslektor:innen who teach German Studies in Australia and New Zealand.
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It was also a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas on how we can as DAAD join forces in the region to support each other and foster German Studies. In this context we also caught up with Professor Margaret Menninger, who is the Executive Director of German Studies Association in North America to discuss the similar challenges facing the German language in the USA.
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One highlight of the conference was the British-German author and activist, Sharon Dodua Otoo, who was invited by the Goethe-Institut Australia and the GSAA to present her recent novel 'Ada's Realm' -‘Adas Raum’.
Further information about the author Sharon Dodua Otoo and her work can be read on her website.
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Andreas Wiebel's Perspective on the
German Studies Conference in Sydney
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Andreas Wiebel - DAAD Lecturer at the University of Melbourne
More than 60 people from Australia, New Zealand and many other countries responded to the call for papers on the topic of Resistance – Widerstand.
The topic was discussed from a wide range of perspectives, genres, eras and media on 15 panels. For example: "Legacies of resistance and silence. The German churches, the Nazi past, and the occupied present 1945-1949" (Andrew H Beattie), "Against What? Against Whom? Harun Farocki`s Essay Film Aufschub/Respite" (Anna Parkinson), "Aesthetic Resistance Against Totalitarianism: Günther Anders Carricartoons as Subversive Art" (Benjamin Nickl), "Technologies of Sex: Mysterium des Geschlechts (1933) and the cinematic appeal of sex research" (Birgit Land and Katie Sutton).
In his illuminating keynote speech, Prof Gerhard Lauer (Universität Mainz) drew a wide arc from Sophocles' Antigone, Schiller's William Tell, Peter Weiss' Aesthetics of Resistance to the literature of Rupi Kaur.
My presentation also focused on the Aesthetics of Resistance as an example of literature in German Studies. During the University of Melbourne's Overseas Subject (UMOS) "Berlin and Beyond" 2024, students should have a threefold experience by reading selected passages from Peter Weiss' iconic book (Pergamon Altar, Barricades in Wedding, Plötzensee): It is about understanding the ancient plot: e.g. Battle of the Giants, while reliving the history of the European labour movement in the mid-20th century, in order to reflect on art and its appropriation today.
The very well organised conference was rounded off with a reading by Sharon Dodua Otoo from her current novel Ada`s Realm – Adas Raum.
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Dr Emma Karlsen:
3rd Place at International Falling Walls Lab Finale 2023 in Berlin
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Our sincere congratulations go to Dr Emma Karlsen from the University of Queensland, who was the Australian Falling Walls winner this year. She became the 3rd international winner at the Falling Walls Lab Conference in Berlin 2023. Emma has been breaking the wall of cancer therapy!
Read Emma's personal account from her experience at the Falling Walls Conference in Berlin below.
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"Guten Tag from Brisbane! I recently had the absolute privilege of representing Australia at the Falling Walls Lab held in Berlin. I am a junior doctor and PhD Candidate in the Simpson Lab at the University of Queensland’s Frazer Institute. Our science is focused on repurposing a cheap, pre-existing medication to improve outcomes for patients with breast cancer.
Falling Walls was an incredible and unique opportunity. So often we present our research in silos – to our local national audience and to only our respective scientific areas. The opportunity to collaborate and get ideas from over 60 different countries and academic perspectives has enriched my research and has allowed for some very exciting new collaborations. I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn from the other presenters – who covered everything from alternative energy sources to autonomous robots and ground-breaking feminist ideas.
In my humble opinion, I feel like the true spirit of the conference is fostering connection. The walls of academic hierarchy and international boundaries were broken as there was a free and open discussion between all. It was wonderful to see so many like-minded people gather to learn from each other and see how we can work together to make the world a little better for all.
It was such a pleasure to experience this alongside the wonderful Alex Griffin and Hemanshi Galaiya who were the other Australian candidates. They are truly inspirational women and scientists and I am so excited to see where their fantastic lives will lead them.
Thank you so much to DAAD Australia for making this experience possible. It is truly one that I will never forget!"
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DAAD Australia
at Digital Health Workshop Sydney
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DAAD Research Ambassador, Assoc. Professor Ronald Clarke, University of Sydney, participated recently in a one-day Digital Health Workshop, funded by the DFG (German Research Agency).
The event was held at the University of Sydney and brought together researchers from the University of Sydney, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, with the objective of exploring research ideas in digital health, particularly in diabetes, pharmaceutical care, and health coaching. The aim of the workshop was to act as a springboard to develop a collaborative project in digital health between the three institutions.
After introductions by the Dean of Pharmacy of the University of Sydney, Prof Andrew McLachlan, and by organisers Prof Parisa Aslani (University of Sydney), Prof Stephanie Läer (HHU Düsseldorf) and Dr Emina Obarcanin (Nanyang Technological University), the workshop consisted of a mix of research presentations plus Q & A sessions, panel discussions and brainstorming sessions.
DAAD Research Ambassador Associate Prof Ronald Clarke presented on funding opportunities, both project- and personal funding schemes of the DAAD with a brief overview of his own academic career, highlighting how he had benefited from his time researching in Germany.
Find information about the Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme here.
Further details about the DAAD Research Ambassador Program can be read here.
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DAAD Almuni Australia News | |
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Dear fellow alumni and friends!
It has been a big year for the DAAD Alumni association in Australia!
We have revived the DAAD alumni activities and offered three events throughout the year, each focused on a specific topic. We also launched our first ever DAAD Alumni Australia logo and our first ever LinkedIn site.
Our events focused on the areas of disruptive thinking and leadership for the modern world:
In March, we hosted a workshop on “Disruptive technologies and the impact on modern leadership.” We then took this topic to the next level and offered a large panel-discussion on “Disruptive technologies and the importance of teams and values.” Our October event was a very practical leadership workshop on how to bring individual and team values to life and get the most out of a team.
All our events were followed by networking opportunities where DAAD alumni had the chance to meet each other again as well as getting to know some new faces.
We would like to particularly thank you all for participating in our activities and supporting our events.
We especially thank:
● The Consul General Mr Felix Schwarz and Deputy Consul General Karl-Heinz Schmitz and team for their ongoing support
● The Goethe Institut and Director Christoph Mücher and team for their great support
● Our generous sponsors for their support
● Mr Rafael Koenig and Dr Wolfgang Babeck for their active support which we greatly appreciate
● Graphic Designer Astrid Wehling for creating our fantastic logo and the great collaboration
● The DAAD IC Team, Silke Schoppe and Michael Rieke, for their endless support!
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
We look forward to seeing you all at one of our 2024 events.
Claudia Nelson, DAAD Alumni President Australia and Michiko Weinmann, DAAD Alumni Executive Team
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DAAD Alumnae and Alumni receive Leibniz Prize | |
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The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize is the most important research award in Germany and honours outstanding scientists and academics. DAAD President Prof Dr Joybrato Mukherjee congratulates four DAAD Alumnae and Alumni who are amongst the award winners 2023 for their achievements: Prof Dr Ulrike Herzschuh (geo-ecologist), Prof Dr Eike Kiltz (cryptographer) , Prof Dr Jörn Leonhard (historian) and Prof Dr Eva Margarete Viehmann (mathematician). The award ceremony will take place in Berlin on 15th March 2024.
Read the press release in German here.
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Research in Germany: December 2023 Newsletter | |
A Spotlight on: "Citizen Science"
Centering participation and innovation: the Citizen Science Strategy 2030 for German Citizen science offers benefits to both science and society. While researchers can directly profit from the collection of huge data sets or the input of public knowledge, projects that include citizen scientists also strengthen public trust and interest in science. In the last few years, participation in citizen science has seen a sharp increase in Germany. Its potential for innovation has also been recognized by the German government: citizen science is prominently placed in the coalition agreement, and the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) has been funding major projects and initiatives.
Read the White Paper about the Citizen Science Strategy 2030 for Germany here.
Read the Research in Germany Newsletter here
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New Edition of "Wissenschaft weltoffen 2023" | |
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Record numbers of international exchange students - Germany 3rd in global ranking
Around 370,000 international exchange students attended German universities in the last winter semester, a new record. Germany has thus overtaken Australia in the list of most popular countries for students, and now holds third place in the global rankings, according to the new edition of "Wissenschaft weltoffen".
"Germany continues to be highly attractive for international students and researchers. This is very good news for Germany as a science location and in view of the shortage of skilled workers", said Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger. The Federal Ministry of Education has supported this trend for a long time. For example, with student marketing formats such as My GUIDE, international students can join German universities in a way that fits them perfectly.
Read the press release here and the latest edition of "Wissenschaft weltoffen" can be read here (in German only).
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Scholarships, Grants & Programs | |
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Call for Applications
DAAD Konrad Zuse School of Excellence in Reliable AI - PhD Program
The Konrad Zuse School of Excellence in Reliable AI (relAI) aims to train future generations of artificial intelligence (AI) experts, who for the first time combine technical brilliance with awareness of the importance of AI’s reliability. This novel, innovative PhD relAI program offers a cross-sectional training for successful education in AI, including scientific knowledge, professional development courses and industrial exposure, providing a coherent, yet flexible and personalised training. Funded applicants will receive a full salary for three years, including social benefits
Application deadline: 15 January 2024
Further information is available here.
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Call for Applications
Leo Baeck Fellowship Program 2024/25
PhD students who carry out research related to the history and culture of the German-speaking Jewry are invited to apply. The program is jointly organised by the Leo Baeck Institute London and the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes. It is open to PhD candidates worldwide.The Leo Baeck fellowships run from October 2024 to September 2025
Application deadline: 1 March 2024
Further information is available here.
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University Advertisements | |
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ESB Business School at Reutlingen University
Study truly international in Germany
ESB Business School offers top-ranked undergraduate, graduate and executive programs in business administration and business engineering (German and/or English), providing a strong network of partner companies and international partner universities all over the world.
Further information is available here.
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You can also download previous newsletters from our website. | | | | |
