Nr. 175 / 2020

25. November 2020 : A Deserving Winner: Mahmoud Farrag receives the DAAD Award for International Students 2020

Mahmoud Farrag, master student at Osnabrück University, has been awarded the DAAD prize for international students. The prize of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) seeks to honor degree-seeking international students in Germany who achieve outstanding academic results and demonstrate remarkable social or intercultural commitment. Worth 1.000 €, the DAAD prize is awarded only once a year per university. In 2020, Osnabrück University proudly presented the prize to Mahmoud Farrag from Egypt during a ceremonial award walk on Monday, November 23.

Mahmoud Farrag encountered German-language literature at an early stage during his childhood years. Through this exposure, he developed a long-lasting passion for German culture – a passion that affected his academic choices quite significantly: in addition to Turkish Studies, Arabic Studies and Islamic Studies, he decided to study German Studies at Cairo University as well. In order to experience Germany and its culture in person, he applied for an exchange semester abroad and thus made a decision that proved to have long-lasting consequences for his academic and personal life. He entered Germany in 2015 wanting to spend an exchange semester only, but ultimately stayed on and pursued a degree. After graduating with an excellent bachelor's degree in Political Science as well as Economics and Ethics, he gained entry into Osnabrück University as a master’s student in International Migration and Intercultural Relations in 2019. Henceforth, he has continued to achieve stellar academic results.

It was on the basis of these academic achievements that Mr. Farrag was recommended for the DAAD prize by Prof. Dr. Jochen Oltmer, Dean of Studies at the Department of Cultural and Social Sciences and board member of the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS) at Osnabrück University. In his letter of support, Oltmer praises Farrag as a highly qualified student with an open-minded personality who excels academically and deserves every support and recognition.

Mahmoud Farrag is not only dedicated to his academic career, but also to his community service. As an active member of student self-administration, a volunteer providing translating services to refugees or simply as a mentor for others, Farrag seemingly always finds time to help others and make society better one step at a time.

"Once again, we have selected a DAAD prize recipient who impressively demonstrates how much the country, the region and the university benefit from international students” remarks Malte Paolo Benjamins, Director of the International Office. “I wish Mr. Farrag every success for his professional and personal future".

Further Information:
Malte Paolo Benjamins, Universität Osnabrück
International Office
Neuer Graben 27, 49074 Osnabrück
Tel.: +49 541 9694972
malte.paolo.benjamins@uni-osnabrueck.de