BUDAPEST, November 23, 2016—The Institute of International Education’s European Office is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2016 IIE Europe Award for Excellence. This year the award is presented to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to recognize their accomplishments in the internationalization of higher education.
DAAD is the independent organization of German higher education institutions and their student bodies, devoted to internationalizing the academic system. The organization serves as an experienced intermediary between university systems and a worldwide network of external partners. As a German institution in Europe, it contributes to shaping the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area, and promotes European interests throughout the world.
“Change by exchange” is the motto of DAAD – a concept that applies to more than the students and researchers the organization supports. As a funding organization, change means welcoming the challenges of this dynamic process and participating in shaping it. Since it was founded in 1925, more than 1.9 million scholars in Germany and abroad have received DAAD funding. A registered association, its members include 239 German institutions of higher education and 105 student bodies. Its activities go far beyond simply awarding grants and scholarships. DAAD supports the internationalization of German universities, promotes German studies and the German language abroad, assists developing countries in establishing effective universities and advises decision makers on matters of cultural, education and development policy. Its head office is in Bonn and DAAD also has an office in Berlin. The North American regional office is located in New York. It maintains contact with and provides advice to its main partner countries on every continent via a network of 15 regional offices and 56 information centers.
DAAD promotes academic exchange through Scholarships for the Best – supporting students and researchers in Germany and abroad who have demonstrated outstanding academic merit and wish to assume responsibility. Many world-famous artists, scientists, literary figures and political representatives are DAAD alumni. Structures for Internationalization is another initiative. The organization seeks to create university structures which promote international qualification, mobility and dialogue, and thereby improve the quality of research and instruction. DAAD also considers Expertise for Academic Collaborations a priority – making expertise in educational cultures and academic systems available to others in order to facilitate collaboration between academics and institutions.
“IIE’s relationship with DAAD goes back to their establishment over 90 years ago with 13 fellowships from our organization. We are deeply honored to continue partnering with them to advance international exchange around the globe,” explains Mark Lazar, Vice President for Global Scholarship and Learning Programs and former director of IIE Europe. The two organizations collaborate on a number of projects including STEM Exchange, Best Practices Conferences, joint publications, and emergency student scholarships to assist refugee students from Syria. The German Academic Exchange Service is also a country partner for Generation Study Abroad, a five-year initiative of the Institute of International Education (IIE) to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade.
“The great honor of receiving this award encourages us even more to continue the mission and work of the German Academic Exchange Service. International academic mobility supports excellence and opens minds. Our changing world today more than ever demands well prepared scientists, leaders and citizens, whose mindsets include global social responsibility,” said Benedikt Brisch, Head of Division, Scholarships, Northern Hemisphere, DAAD.
About the Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the leader in providing international education strategies and program services. Our international approach to education—diverse, borderless, impactful—is a proven way for governments and companies to invest in global talent and solidify overseas relationships. We work with policymakers, educators and employers across the globe to prepare students and professionals for the global workforce and equip them to solve the increasingly complex challenges facing our interconnected world. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE designs and implements over 250 programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government and private sources. IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,300 member institutions.
About the IIE European Office
IIE’s European office is located in Budapest, Hungary. Founded in 1990, this office represents IIE’s program operations in Europe. Covering over 30 countries in Western, Central and Eastern Europe, the office focuses on supporting and strengthening internationalization of universities, developing and managing scholarship and study abroad programs, and collaborating with corporate partners to design and implement programs and services that meet their specific corporate needs and philanthropic objectives.
About the IIE Europe Award for Excellence
The IIE Europe Award for Excellence is an award initiative that was launched by the IIE European Office in 2011 to recognize outstanding achievement in international education. The criteria for recipients include meaningful contributions to IIE’s mission of Opening Minds to the World®, relevance to European higher education, and high impact on the European education community.
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