The German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst – DAAD) expresses its views concerning the DAAD visiting professorships of Reza Afisina and Iswanto Hartono.

‘The DAAD stands for cosmopolitanism, tolerance, dialogue, and mutual understanding beyond national and cultural borders. As a funding organisation promoting global academic exchange, we firmly condemn every form of antisemitism’, said DAAD President Professor Joybrato Mukherjee. Over many decades, the DAAD has funded extensive exchange with higher education institutions, lecturers and researchers in Israel.

The current discussion surrounding visiting professors Reza Afisina and Iswanto Hartono at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg (HFBK Hamburg), both members of the ruangrupa arts collective, has resulted in the DAAD observing that on 17 January 2022 HFBK Hamburg submitted a funding application to the DAAD relating to the two artists in the context of a shared visiting lectureship. A review of this application by an independent selection committee commenced at the beginning of April 2022, and HFBK Hamburg subsequently received a funding commitment based on the committee’s recommendation. 

‘All DAAD funding lines are based on the funding recommendations prepared by independent selection committees. These consist of subject-matter experts who are generally members of German higher education institutions. In this current case – and as usual – we as a funding organisation had no influence on the expert recommendation that forms the basis for a funding decision, neither during the course of proceedings nor in the follow-up’, stated the DAAD president.

In light of the controversial debates regarding documenta fifteen and the current discussion surrounding visiting professors Reza Afisina and Iswanto Hartono at HFBK Hamburg, the DAAD assumes that these discussions will also be addressed during the guest residency of the two artists, and brought to a conclusion with respect to the accusations of antisemitism that have been raised. ‘I am grateful to Professor Martin Köttering, president of the University of Fine Arts Hamburg, for fulfilling our expectations in this matter, the DAAD president continued. The intention is for this to occur at HFBK Hamburg in the winter semester 2022/23, including in cooperation with the Hamburg Institute for Social Research.

Background to the DAAD Visiting Professor funding programme

In its drive for internationalisation, the DAAD has for many years been assisting higher education institutions in Germany, including through the funding of visiting professorships or lectureships. After an application and selection process, the HEIs therefore receive project funding to invite personalities from abroad to spend a limited time as visiting professors or lecturers. This also involves the HEIs participating financially with a substantial contribution of their own; they independently select potential lecturers in advance of an application. This funding programme is financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).