Watter AlBahry, Fatma Soliman, Deputy Director of the DAAD Regional Office Cairo© Watter AlBahry

With this scholarship, the graduates will have the chance to complete their Bachelor’s degree at German universities. In Egypt, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) also participates every year with their own funding prerequisites for the scholarships: In 2022, SFSD will fund one of the four selected scholarship holders. The DAAD Regional Office is especially glad for this occasion since it is the first time the ceremony has taken place since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Watter AlBahry, Mays Abouhegab© Watter AlBahry

Mays Abouhegab, the responsible Programme Director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, added a personal note to the event by telling the audience about her own graduation from a German School in Egypt, her stay in Germany, the challenges as well as the experiences that came along with it. Besides being overwhelmed and at times confused, the new impressions and experiences to be made in Germany are valuable and Mrs. Abouhegab appreciates the positive impact that her stay has had on her until now.
The DAAD appreciates the support that the Sawiris Foundation and Ms. Abouhegab have provided over the years of collaboration, enhancing the chances of Egyptian nominees to make their dream of studying in Germany come true.

Watter AlBahry, Felix Haala© Watter AlBahry

As representative of the German Embassy in Cairo, Felix Haala, Head of the Culture Department, underlined in his greeting words the special role that the students have in an intercultural context: Being “specialists” of both cultures, they can act as mediators between Germany and Egypt and contribute to international understanding in order to build up a strong relationship between both countries. Their very special knowledge and competencies are particularly important in view of the growing complexity of the world and will continue to be of much need in the future.

Watter AlBahry, Anette Vogt© Watter AlBahry

Referring to the aspect of responsibility already mentioned by Mr. Haala, Mrs. Annette Vogt, spokesperson for the Principals of the German Schools in Egypt, stressed the students’ duty to contribute to the development of their home country. By quoting an Arabic proverb, she expressed the need for the students to use the skills and knowledge they acquire in Germany for their own self-development which will then ultimately enable them to enhance the living conditions in Egypt.

Watter AlBahry, Ms. Laila Kenawy© Watter AlBahry

Ms. Laila Kenawy already finished her studies in Germany. She also benefited from funding by the DAAD in the framework of the scholarship programme for German Schools abroad and acquired her Bachelor’s degree at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. Ms. Kenawy contributed with a report on her own experiences during her studies. By shedding light on her personal student life in Germany, she raised attention to important matters besides the actual studies, such as hobbies, socializing, travelling and other activities that add to the experience of studying in Germany and greatly accelerate the development of the young personalities.

Watter AlBahry, From left to right: Carsten Treuber, Nadine Abdelmalek, Nada Gaafar, Zeina Serour, Mohamed Assem.© Watter AlBahry

With the support of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the DAAD is proud to pave the way for these four talented young scholars to integrate into the global scientific community and to develop their potentials. We wish the scholarship holders of the year 2022 all the best for their academic careers and hope that their future endeavours will help them to fulfil their dreams and wishes. The DAAD will always remain a source of support for the new generation of scholarship holders and we hope to stay in touch with them over the course of their promising careers.