DAAD award winners

Ms. Ochoa Vásquez comes from Ecuador and attended the German School in Cuenca. After successfully completing her Bachelor's degree in Halle, she has now also been able to complete her Master's degree in Biochemistry at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). As a DAAD scholarship holder, she used this support to fulfill her dream of studying in Germany.

Her academic achievements were and are outstanding and a testament to her commitment and passion for her academic field. Ms. Ochoa Vásquez has also been actively involved in extracurricular activities and has shared her experience and knowledge with others. As a graduate of a so-called partner school (PASCH), she now supports international students as a mentor of the PASCH initiative with valuable tips on arriving and living in Germany. On the one hand, her support helps the individual with their start to student life in Germany. On the other hand, this also structurally strengthens and expands the relationships between our university and other PASCH schools in the network.

In addition, Ms. Ochoa Vásquez has also participated in the International Office's Buddy Program, in which she has supported international students. Her commitment has helped to strengthen the international community at MLU and promote intercultural exchange.

We would like to honor this outstanding commitment today.

Congratulations and all the best for the future!

Mr. Singh has also distinguished himself through his scientific achievements and his remarkable commitment to international doctoral students, which is why he is being awarded this year's DAAD Prize 2025.

Mr. Singh comes from India, where he also very successfully completed his Bachelor in Science in Botany. After completing MSc Organismic, Evolution and Paleobiology at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn in 2022, he is now a PhD student in the research group "Evolution and Biodiversity" at the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv). His outstanding academic leadership is reflected in his numerous scientific presentations and articles.

In addition to his scientific activities, Mr. Singh has also distinguished himself as an advocate and event organizer for doctoral students within the graduate school "iDiv". He is passionate about equal opportunities, internationalization and diversity and has been instrumental in making the graduate school an even more inclusive place through his initiatives. It is thanks to his commitment that the iDiv building now also has unisex toilets.

Pratyaksh Singh is an outstanding example of how academic excellence and social commitment can go hand in hand. His achievements and his commitment to international doctoral candidates make him a worthy recipient of the DAAD Prize 2025.

Congratulations and all the best for your future endeavors!

DAAD Prize 2023: Award winner Arman Edalat from Iran

DAAD Prize 2017: Award winner Rana Hore from Bangladesh with Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Wolf Zimmermann, Head of the International Office Dr. Manja Hussner, and Head of Policy Issues and Financial Services at the DAAD Dr. Andreas Hoeschen

DAAD Prize 2016: Award winner Viktoryia Panfilovich with Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Wolf Zimmermann

DAAD Prize 2013: Award winner Gustavo Macedo Rodríguez from Mexico with Rector Prof. Dr. Udo Sträter

DAAD Prize 2012: Award winner Clement Appiah from Ghana

DAAD Award Winner 2011: Presentation of the award to Minhaz Morshed from Bangladesh (2nd from left). Congratulations from Dr. Christian Thimme (Head of Division at the DAAD), Prof. Dr. Ingo Pies (Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law and Economics) and Prof. Dr. Gesine Foljanty-Jost (Vice Rector for Research and Young Academics).

DAAD Prize 2010: Award winner Tarek Mohamed Mohamed Ali

DAAD Prize 2009: Award presented by the Vice-Rector for Structure and Finance, Prof. Dr. Birgit Dräger, to Marc El Jebeily (Lebanon)

DAAD Prize 2008: Award winner Shiney Franz from India receives the DAAD Prize certificate from the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Christoph Weiser.

DAAD Prize 2007: During the ceremonial matriculation in October 2007, the Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching, Prof. Dr. Christoph Weiser, honors Polish student Monika Döbber.