Alumni Programme for Further Training and Integrating International Alumni
The DAAD supports higher education institutions in Germany by offering suitable programmes and initiatives to strengthen the ties of international alumni to German universities / research institutions and to Germany as a whole.
Background
As a result of their study and research visits at German universities / research institutions, our highly qualified international alumni largely share a positive view of Germany. They frequently hold key positions in science, politics, business, and culture. Networking and lifelong learning are fundamental for alumni, as experts, decision-makers, and partners abroad, to keep in touch with Germany and keep abreast of the latest developments.
For German development cooperation organisations in various countries, alumni are potential highly qualified employees and contacts in local authorities and a myriad of institutions. Around 150,000 students from developing countries study at German universities, which is an important contribution to German development cooperation and cultural exchange.
For German businesses, on the other hand, these Germany alumni are highly competent and attractive business partners.
Programme objectives
The programme aims to extend the skills of alumni, enabling them to resolve development-related issues (BMZ) and challenges in foreign cultural and educational policy (AA). It helps alumni engage with each other in academic networks both in their own country and internationally. At the same time, alumni are expected to play an active role as disseminators for knowledge transfer. Ideally, they maintain long-term ties to Germany and cooperate with universities / research institutions and companies in Germany.
In addition, the programme aims to further strengthen the expertise of the host universities / research institutions in Germany in matters of development cooperation (BMZ) and international cooperation (AA).
Funded projects / measures and partners involved
The AA has supported German universities / research institutions in their work with international alumni since 2006. Initially, from 1999, this was separate from the programme of the BMZ, however, since 2009, funding is provided in a joint call. In each of the two parts of the programme 800 to 1,200 alumni are sponsored every year. Alumni are mainly interested in further education in terms of lifelong learning, and initiating and strengthening academic and professional contacts. This is why there are two programme components to support alumni, which may be combined in one application.
Supported by: