Thirty-six international students awarded scholarships

In winter semester 2020/21, 66 students submitted applications for an academic excellence scholarship. As is the case every semester, most of them were from the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science. Twenty-nine Bachelor's students and four Master's students from 16 countries were awarded the scholarships. The Information Engineering degree course was the most successful, with eight scholarship recipients and students from Vietnam, who received 10 scholarships, followed by five students from Indonesia and three from Ukraine.

To be selected for an academic excellence scholarship, students must have a minimum average grade of 2.2 and be within the standard period of study. This is outlined in the new HAW Hamburg regulations, in effect since summer semester 2020. Students receive points and are ranked based on their average grade, the number of credit points achieved to date, and the two letters of reference required as part of the application. This provides the selection committee with a basis for choosing suitable candidates.

Once again, three students from Information Engineering were at the top of the rankings and convinced the selection committee with their outstanding achievements in their subject areas: Vitalii Indikov from Russia (third semester), Ivan Havrylenko from the Ukraine (fifth semester) and Mohamed Moustafa from Egypt (seventh semester), who has now been recognised as belonging to the best of the best for the fifth time in a row. All three shine with their impressive average mark of 0.9. Professor Lutz Leutelt, who teaches in the Information Engineering degree course and supports his students with letters of reference each semester, is himself surprised by these results: 'I wouldn't have thought there were so many students with this type of grade in this demanding course. These students aren't just really good and dedicated, they remarkably pass all their exams without any errors.'

Indikov, who has only been studying at HAW Hamburg for a year, is very happy with his choice of degree course and feels motivated by the excellence scholarship to keep striving for excellent grades. He writes, 'The study programme offers a variety of options to get a world-class level education in relevant technological topics which I gladly devote myself to.' Havrylenko, who has now received the scholarhip for the third time, likes the practical orientation of his degree course above all: 'What I like most at HAW Hamburg is that our professors really intend to impart their practical experience with us so the students are well prepared to work in the industry after graduation. All our laboratory works are built in the way where students can directly apply the theoretical methods learned during the lectures on real-world problems.' The excellence scholarship has given Havrylenko the opportunity to also undertake subject-related training outside of the courses.

In addition to the recipients of the academic excellence scholarship, three of 10 applicants received a scholarship for their outstanding social commitment in the international university context. These scholarships are funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and require that the recipients are involved in student organisations or initiatives with an international focus, or that they actively support the various international programmes offered by the International Office.

An especially impressive application came from Prince Deep of India, who studies in the Renewable Energy Systems Master's degree course and undertakes extensive volunteer work. He has been involved in the International Office's weBuddy programme for several semesters and helps international first-semester students and exchange students get oriented at the university. He also regularly takes part in the Culture Cafe, intercultural training workshops and the language-tandem programme, thus contributing substantially to international exchange at the university and internationalisation at home. His work for the British charity organisation Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs made of real hair to children and youths with cancer, is particularly noteworthy. Prince Deep regularly lets his hair grow long in order to donate it to the group.

Ngoc My Nguyen of Vietnam, who studies in the Media and Information Bachelor's degree course, also received a scholarship this semester for her social commitment. She volunteers with AIESEC, one of the largest international student organisations, where she is responsible for the development of online seminars to arrange internships and social projects abroad. Of her role in the organisation, she writes, 'My journey in AIESEC has been remarkable, and I decided to continue it by being a team leader during this semester. I aspire to help my members to also unleash their potential of being leaders just like how AIESEC has been helping me.' Ngoc My Nguyen also volunteers with an association of Vietnamese students in Hamburg and has also volunteered with various social projects in her home country.

Ngoc My Nguyen of Vietnam also submitted an application for an academic excellence scholarship. This isn't that unusual, as there are always some students who apply for both scholarships, though in the end they can only be awarded one of the two. In this case, though, the application was from a student in the Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's degree course who had exactly the same name. Her application was successful too. This Ngoc My Nguyen received an academic excellence scholarship and is happy just to have gotten the chance to study at HAW Hamburg. She writes, 'I can remember all the rejections from German universities and applied sciences universities because the focus of my preparatory M course didn't entitle me to study Biomedical Engineering. HAW Hamburg gave me this chance, which I will always be thankful for.' The student has already successfully invested her first payment: 'The first thing I used the scholarship for was to buy a suit, which I needed for an interview for a student job. I got the job.'

We congratulate all the recipients and wish them continued success in their studies.

Information about the scholarships for international students is available on our website. The next application deadline is 30 March 2021.