The DAAD supports the new academic generation in newly industrialised countries in Latin America, Southern Asia and Northern Africa with special scholarship programmes. The main focus is on engineering and natural sciences.

Background

As part of their own development agenda, a growing number of developing countries are investing considerable funds in the development of their universities and in the education and further training of future managerial staff abroad. Newly industrialised countries, in particular, are willing and able to bear part of the costs for such exchange programmes themselves. The DAAD supports the new academic generation in advanced developing countries in Latin America, Southern Asia and Northern Africa with a special scholarship programme.

It is especially in these areas that many developing and newly industrialised countries continue to lack modern and practice-oriented training programmes and international networking necessary to access the global knowledge economy. Technological innovations are of paramount importance for sustainable development, especially in more advanced developing and newly industrialised countries. It is crucial that innovations are cutting-edge and that access to these innovations is granted and sustained for the new generations of engineers.

Programme objectives

The programme focuses on training professionals and managerial staff in engineering and natural sciences. The support provided benefits the students and, indirectly, the universities and the labour market (industry and public administration) in developing and newly industrialised countries.

Funded projects/measures

The DAAD supports academic studies and work placements for young students in Germany, especially for those from engineering and natural science disciplines. The programme comprises regional lines of funding in Argentina, Columbia, Mexico, and India. Columbia, Mexico, India and Tunisia  are partner countries of German development cooperation, while Argentina is a relevant newly industrialised country.

Depending on their country of origin, the stay in Germany may contain different components. The programme for young engineers from Mexico, Columbia, and Argentina combines a one-semester stay with a company placement of several months. Scholarship holders from India and Tunisia complete their thesis during their (max.) six-months stay.

Results

Academic studies and work placements in Germany are beneficial for all actors involved. They improve the relevance and practical orientation of training for students with regards to application in professional life. This benefits industry and administration in the students' home countries. In the long term, the practice-oriented learning phase for young engineering students from Latin America contributes to enabling highly qualified experts advance the development of their countries of origin in key areas such as renewable energies, waste treatment, and waste prevention.

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