Examples from practice - an overview
Sustainability issues are the focus of cooperation in numerous DAAD-funded projects. Study programmes on sustainability topics are also very popular within the broad range of scholarships available.
Only with excellently trained specialists from our partner countries can poverty reduction, employment promotion, pandemic preparedness, energy transition, gender-equitable development and cooperation on an equal footing can succeed in the long term.
The following document contains five portraits of DAAD alumni and alumnae from the BMZ portfolio.
In addition, the following overview shows a selection of projects and individuals and their specific contributions to the individual SDGs.
Alumna: Rose Adhiambo (Kenya)
Rose Adhiambo is a lawyer in Kenya. She is the recipient of two DAAD scholarships, most recently for a doctorate on good governance in Africa.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Researching decent work
For more than a decade, the exceed centre ICDD, headed by the University of Kassel, has dedicated itself to the subject of “decent work”.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Alumna: Rose Adhiambo (Kenya)
Rose Adhiambo is a lawyer in Kenya. She is the recipient of two DAAD scholarships, most recently for a doctorate on good governance in Africa.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Researching decent work
For more than a decade, the exceed centre ICDD, headed by the University of Kassel, has dedicated itself to the subject of “decent work”.
Fostering entrepreneurship in Ghana
The BET Ghana initiative brings university graduates and companies together and prepares them for economic challenges.
Joint research to combat hungerOne of the greatest challenges of our time is to secure an adequate supply of food for the next decades. The University of Hohenheim is working with seven partner universities worldwide to find solutions.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Together against infectious diseases
Tübingen and Hanoi have had a university partnership to research contagious diseases and find antidotes for years.
Alumnus: Roshan Keshari (India)
Roshan Keshari is a DAAD Surplace/Third Country Programme (2020-2024) grantee from Nepal and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biosciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay - one of the top 5 universities in India and part of the BMZ-funded Exceed Network Sustainable Energies, Entrepreneurship and Development.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Alumnus: Abdel Meguid Kassem (Egypt)
Abdel Meguid Kassem is committed to strengthening health systems in Africa and also conducts research on Covid-19. The Egyptian gastroenterologist is closely associated with the DAAD.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Strengthening medical resarch in Europe
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich and four other European universities are collaborating on medical topics, while at the same time promoting equal opportunities and inclusion.
Together against infectious diseases
Tübingen and Hanoi have had a university partnership to research contagious diseases and find antidotes for years.
Math against Malaria
A German-African project wants to help curb malaria, and is using mathematical models to achieve this.
Social work for refugee
Four universities from Germany, Jordan and Lebanon are engaging in international dialogue in the field of social work to more clearly define their specialist profiles in line with Agenda 2030. Together, they are fostering research and student training in the area of refugees and migration.
Alumna: Prof. Dr. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (Ghana)
The Ghanaian Prof. Dr. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo is an alumna of the DIES programme (2015) of DAAD and HRK. She is the first female vice-chancellor (rector) of the University of
Ghana, the oldest and leading university in Ghana.Alumnus: Abdel Meguid Kassem (Egypt)
Abdel Meguid Kassem is committed to strengthening health systems in Africa and also conducts research on Covid-19. The Egyptian gastroenterologist is closely associated with the DAAD.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Alumnus: Andrej Safundzic (Germany)
Andrej Safundzic wants to improve the lives of as many people as possible. This desire has already motivated the 23-year-old to launch a number of successful businesses.
Education: A center with impact
Five universities from Germany and Africa are helping to shape the African excellence centre CERM-ESA. Together, they are generating impetus for a future-oriented educational culture and are learning from one another in the process.
Shaping digital education together
The University of Bayreuth and the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv are advancing the digitalisation of studying and teaching through mutual exchange. German-Ukrainian project tandems are supporting the setting up of innovative teaching and learning processes.
Technology for green growth in Asia
With a view to driving forward sustainable development in Vietnam and other Asian countries, the University of Rostock and Vietnamese partner universities are pooling their strengths in a graduate school: together they are promoting research and training in the key technology of catalysis.
Fostering entrepreneurship in Ghana
The BET Ghana initiative brings university graduates and companies together and prepares them for economic challenges.
Africa: Solutions for social businessesThe YEEES project is linking universities in Germany and southern Africa in the area of teaching and research. Students from all participating countries have taken part in camps with a view to finding solutions for social enterprises, for example.
Monitoring the development of the oceans
Seven universities from six European countries are jointly developing innovative solutions to monitor the development of the oceans.
Joint research to combat hunger
One of the greatest challenges of our time is to secure an adequate supply of food for the next decades. The University of Hohenheim is working with seven partner universities worldwide to find solutions.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Strengthening medical resarch in Europe
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich and four other European universities are collaborating on medical topics, while at the same time promoting equal opportunities and inclusion.
Together against infectious diseases
Tübingen and Hanoi have had a university partnership to research contagious diseases and find antidotes for years.
Math against Malaria
A German-African project wants to help curb malaria, and is using mathematical models to achieve this.
Colombia: an institute for peace
Overcoming the decades-long conflict will occupy Colombia for a long time to come. The German-Colombian Peace Institute is supporting the country in this.
Connecting climate experts in Africa
To turn scientific knowledge into concrete action, the climapAfrica programme brings together young researchers from Africa in the field of climate change and climate research and supports them in making their research results visible at the political level.
Social work for refugee
Four universities from Germany, Jordan and Lebanon are engaging in international dialogue in the field of social work to more clearly define their specialist profiles in line with Agenda 2030. Together, they are fostering research and student training in the area of refugees and migration.
Preparing for job realities
Together with Kenyan partners, German universities are promoting entrepreneurship and a course of training that will properly prepare students for their careers.
Alumna: Prof. Dr. Jane Catherine Ngila (Kenia)
Prof. Dr. Jane Catherine Ngila is a Kenyan DAAD alumna of the Surplace/Third Country program (1987–1989), Visiting Professor in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Johannesburg and former Excecutive Director of the African Academy of Sciences.
Alumna: Prof. Dr. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (Ghana)
The Ghanaian Prof. Dr. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo is an alumna of the DIES programme (2015) of DAAD and HRK. She is the first female vice-chancellor (rector) of the University of
Ghana, the oldest and leading university in Ghana.Alumna: Rose Adhiambo (Kenya)
Rose Adhiambo is a lawyer in Kenya. She is the recipient of two DAAD scholarships, most recently for a doctorate on good governance in Africa.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Technology for green growth in Asia
With a view to driving forward sustainable development in Vietnam and other Asian countries, the University of Rostock and Vietnamese partner universities are pooling their strengths in a graduate school: together they are promoting research and training in the key technology of catalysis.
Monitoring the development of the oceans
Seven universities from six European countries are jointly developing innovative solutions to monitor the development of the oceans.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Strengthening medical resarch in Europe
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich and four other European universities are collaborating on medical topics, while at the same time promoting equal opportunities and inclusion.
Math against Malaria
A German-African project wants to help curb malaria, and is using mathematical models to achieve this.
Social work for refugee
Four universities from Germany, Jordan and Lebanon are engaging in international dialogue in the field of social work to more clearly define their specialist profiles in line with Agenda 2030. Together, they are fostering research and student training in the area of refugees and migration.
Africa: Solutions for social businesses
The YEEES project is linking universities in Germany and southern Africa in the area of teaching and research. Students from all participating countries have taken part in camps with a view to finding solutions for social enterprises, for example.
Alumna: Prof. Dr. Jane Catherine Ngila (Kenia)
Prof. Dr. Jane Catherine Ngila is a Kenyan DAAD alumna of the Surplace/Third Country program (1987–1989), Visiting Professor in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Johannesburg and former Excecutive Director of the African Academy of Sciences.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Technology for green growth in Asia
With a view to driving forward sustainable development in Vietnam and other Asian countries, the University of Rostock and Vietnamese partner universities are pooling their strengths in a graduate school: together they are promoting research and training in the key technology of catalysis.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Technology for green growth in Asia
With a view to driving forward sustainable development in Vietnam and other Asian countries, the University of Rostock and Vietnamese partner universities are pooling their strengths in a graduate school: together they are promoting research and training in the key technology of catalysis.
Fair technology transfer
Prof. Dr. Andreas Goldthau is engaged in research into how the Global South could benefit more strongly from investments in low-CO2 technologies.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Researching decent work
For more than a decade, the exceed centre ICDD, headed by the University of Kassel, has dedicated itself to the subject of “decent work”.
Technology for green growth in Asia
With a view to driving forward sustainable development in Vietnam and other Asian countries, the University of Rostock and Vietnamese partner universities are pooling their strengths in a graduate school: together they are promoting research and training in the key technology of catalysis.
Fostering entrepreneurship in Ghana
The BET Ghana initiative brings university graduates and companies together and prepares them for economic challenges.
Monitoring the development of the oceans
Seven universities from six European countries are jointly developing innovative solutions to monitor the development of the oceans.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Preparing for job realities
Together with Kenyan partners, German universities are promoting entrepreneurship and a course of training that will properly prepare students for their careers.
Alumna: Mani Dinghra (India)
Mani Dinghra focuses particularly on “smart cities”: in her role as urban planner, she has been involved in an ambitious project run by the regional government of the Indian state of Haryana: five “super smart” new cities are to be built along a 135 km expressway.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Alumnus: Andrej Safundzic (Germany)
Andrej Safundzic wants to improve the lives of as many people as possible. This desire has already motivated the 23-year-old to launch a number of successful businesses.
Shaping digital education together
The University of Bayreuth and the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv are advancing the digitalisation of studying and teaching through mutual exchange. German-Ukrainian project tandems are supporting the setting up of innovative teaching and learning processes.
Technology for green growth in Asia
With a view to driving forward sustainable development in Vietnam and other Asian countries, the University of Rostock and Vietnamese partner universities are pooling their strengths in a graduate school: together they are promoting research and training in the key technology of catalysis.
Fostering entrepreneurship in Ghana
The BET Ghana initiative brings university graduates and companies together and prepares them for economic challenges.
Africa: Solutions for social businesses
The YEEES project is linking universities in Germany and southern Africa in the area of teaching and research. Students from all participating countries have taken part in camps with a view to finding solutions for social enterprises, for example.
Monitoring the development of the oceans
Seven universities from six European countries are jointly developing innovative solutions to monitor the development of the oceans.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Strengthening medical resarch in Europe
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich and four other European universities are collaborating on medical topics, while at the same time promoting equal opportunities and inclusion.
Preparing for job realities
Together with Kenyan partners, German universities are promoting entrepreneurship and a course of training that will properly prepare students for their careers.
Alumna: Rose Adhiambo (Kenya)
Rose Adhiambo is a lawyer in Kenya. She is the recipient of two DAAD scholarships, most recently for a doctorate on good governance in Africa.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Africa: Solutions for social businesses
The YEEES project is linking universities in Germany and southern Africa in the area of teaching and research. Students from all participating countries have taken part in camps with a view to finding solutions for social enterprises, for example.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Strengthening medical resarch in Europe
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich and four other European universities are collaborating on medical topics, while at the same time promoting equal opportunities and inclusion.
Colombia: an institute for peace
Overcoming the decades-long conflict will occupy Colombia for a long time to come. The German-Colombian Peace Institute is supporting the country in this.
Social work for refugee
Four universities from Germany, Jordan and Lebanon are engaging in international dialogue in the field of social work to more clearly define their specialist profiles in line with Agenda 2030. Together, they are fostering research and student training in the area of refugees and migration.
Alumnus: Prof Dr Palamagamba Kabudi (Tansania)
Prof Dr Palamagamba Kabudi, alumnus of the DAAD-In-Country/In-Region Programme (1984–1985), has been a Member of Parliament on the Local Government Affairs Committee
since 2017, responsible for infrastructure projects in the municipalities, among other things.
Between 2017 and 2022, he was Tanzania’s Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs.Alumna: Mani Dinghra (India)
Mani Dinghra focuses particularly on “smart cities”: in her role as urban planner, she has been involved in an ambitious project run by the regional government of the Indian state of Haryana: five “super smart” new cities are to be built along a 135 km expressway.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Fostering entrepreneurship in Ghana
The BET Ghana initiative brings university graduates and companies together and prepares them for economic challenges.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Alumna: Mani Dinghra (India)
Mani Dinghra focuses particularly on “smart cities”: in her role as urban planner, she has been involved in an ambitious project run by the regional government of the Indian state of Haryana: five “super smart” new cities are to be built along a 135 km expressway.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Technology for green growth in Asia
With a view to driving forward sustainable development in Vietnam and other Asian countries, the University of Rostock and Vietnamese partner universities are pooling their strengths in a graduate school: together they are promoting research and training in the key technology of catalysis.
Fair technology transfer
Prof. Dr. Andreas Goldthau is engaged in research into how the Global South could benefit more strongly from investments in low-CO2 technologies.
Monitoring the development of the oceans
Seven universities from six European countries are jointly developing innovative solutions to monitor the development of the oceans.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Connecting climate experts in Africa
To turn scientific knowledge into concrete action, the climapAfrica programme brings together young researchers from Africa in the field of climate change and climate research and supports them in making their research results visible at the political level.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Monitoring the development of the oceans
Seven universities from six European countries are jointly developing innovative solutions to monitor the development of the oceans.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Alumnus: Prof Dr Palamagamba Kabudi (Tansania)
Prof. Dr. Palamagamba Kabudi, alumnus of the DAAD-In-Country/In-Region Programme (1984–1985), has been a Member of Parliament on the Local Government Affairs Committee
since 2017, responsible for infrastructure projects in the municipalities, among other things.
Between 2017 and 2022, he was Tanzania’s Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs.Alumna: Rose Adhiambo (Kenya)
Rose Adhiambo is a lawyer in Kenya. She is the recipient of two DAAD scholarships, most recently for a doctorate on good governance in Africa.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Colombia: an institute for peace
Overcoming the decades-long conflict will occupy Colombia for a long time to come. The German-Colombian Peace Institute is supporting the country in this.
Social work for refugee
Four universities from Germany, Jordan and Lebanon are engaging in international dialogue in the field of social work to more clearly define their specialist profiles in line with Agenda 2030. Together, they are fostering research and student training in the area of refugees and migration.
Alumna: Durdana Prado Álvarez (Mexico)
Durdana Prado Álvarez is the coordinator for the 2030 Agenda at the Ministry of Planning and Citizen Participation in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There she is in charge of promoting the SDGs and aligning them with official development efforts.
Alumnus: Abdel Meguid Kassem (Egypt)
Abdel Meguid Kassem is committed to strengthening health systems in Africa and also conducts research on Covid-19. The Egyptian gastroenterologist is closely associated with the DAAD.
Education: A center with impact
Five universities from Germany and Africa are helping to shape the African excellence centre CERM-ESA. Together, they are generating impetus for a future-oriented educational culture and are learning from one another in the process.
Shaping digital education together
The University of Bayreuth and the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv are advancing the digitalisation of studying and teaching through mutual exchange. German-Ukrainian project tandems are supporting the setting up of innovative teaching and learning processes.
Researching decent work
For more than a decade, the exceed centre ICDD, headed by the University of Kassel, has dedicated itself to the subject of “decent work”.
Technology for green growth in Asia
With a view to driving forward sustainable development in Vietnam and other Asian countries, the University of Rostock and Vietnamese partner universities are pooling their strengths in a graduate school: together they are promoting research and training in the key technology of catalysis.
Fostering entrepreneurship in Ghana
The BET Ghana initiative brings university graduates and companies together and prepares them for economic challenges.
Africa: Solutions for social businessesThe YEEES project is linking universities in Germany and southern Africa in the area of teaching and research. Students from all participating countries have taken part in camps with a view to finding solutions for social enterprises, for example.
Fair technology transferProf. Dr. Andreas Goldthau is engaged in research into how the Global South could benefit more strongly from investments in low-CO2 technologies.
Monitoring the development of the oceans
Seven universities from six European countries are jointly developing innovative solutions to monitor the development of the oceans.
Joint research to combat hunger
One of the greatest challenges of our time is to secure an adequate supply of food for the next decades. The University of Hohenheim is working with seven partner universities worldwide to find solutions.
Alliance for sustainable universities
The Free University of Berlin and its partner universities of the University Alliance for Sustainability pursue a holistic institutional approach.
Strengthening medical resarch in Europe
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich and four other European universities are collaborating on medical topics, while at the same time promoting equal opportunities and inclusion.
Together against infectious diseases
Tübingen and Hanoi have had a university partnership to research contagious diseases and find antidotes for years.
Math against Malaria
A German-African project wants to help curb malaria, and is using mathematical models to achieve this.
Connecting climate experts in Africa
To turn scientific knowledge into concrete action, the climapAfrica programme brings together young researchers from Africa in the field of climate change and climate research and supports them in making their research results visible at the political level.
Social work for refugee
Four universities from Germany, Jordan and Lebanon are engaging in international dialogue in the field of social work to more clearly define their specialist profiles in line with Agenda 2030. Together, they are fostering research and student training in the area of refugees and migration.
Preparing for job realities
Together with Kenyan partners, German universities are promoting entrepreneurship and a course of training that will properly prepare students for their careers.
