Three students from Egypt made it: they were selected for the prestigious DAAD-/SFSD scholarship for exceptional graduates from German schools abroad after competing with 110 other applicants worldwide.

The application process started already in January 2020 when the principals of the four recognised German schools abroad („Deutsche Auslandsschulen“) nominated their best graduates for the scholarship. A complex selection procedure began: first, a regional selection committee ranked the 17 applicants according to their application documents. After that, the best candidates went to the final selection in Bonn and competed with all nominated graduates from all German schools abroad worldwide. In the end, three Egyptian applicants have been selected for the renowned scholarship: Sara Eltahawi, Nada Nasri, Jana Farag.

Meet the scholars:

Sara Eltahawi

  • School: Deutsche Schule der Borromäerinnen Cairo (DSBK)
  • Planned course and place of study: Physics at Heidelberg University

For Sara Eltahawi’s statement, please visit the German webpage.

Nada Nasri

  • School: Deutsche Evangelische Oberschule Cairo (DEO)
  • Planned course and place of study: Medicine at Heidelberg University

For Nada Nasri’s statement, please visit the German webpage.

Jana Farag

  • School:Deutsche Schule der Borromäerinnen Cairo (DSBK)
  • Planned course and place of study: Health/Medical Informatics at Heidelberg University and Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences

For Jana Farag’s statement, please visit the German webpage.

The scholarship programme is fully funded by the Federal Foreign Office and covers the cost of a complete bachelor’s programme or a state exam programme at a German university; extending the programme for a master’s programme is possible.

As for the scholarship programme in Egypt, there is a regional advantage and unique arrangement on account of the partnership with the „Sawiris Foundation for Social Development“ (SFSD). The Foundation covers for each batch the funding for one to three candidates who get selected according to the DAAD procedures. In 2020, Jana Farag was selected by SFSD.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately, the awarding ceremony for the scholars can’t take place as usual. Nevertheless, our hopes are high that the three Egyptian scholarship holders will be able to start their studies with the beginning of the next academic year starting in October 2020.

The whole DAAD Cairo Team wishes the three Egyptian scholarship holders all the best and good luck for their academic qualification and studies in Germany!

Author: Ann-Kathrin Schwarz