Global bridges of knowledge

The DAAD promotes international cooperation in research through a variety of programmes. Knowledge has to get to wherever it is most urgently needed. 

Practice-oriented research centres 

By 2030, eight teaching and research centres with headquarters in countries of the Global South – including India, Colombia and Kenya – are to be established with the support of the DAAD. Four are to address the topic of climate and environment, while another four will be involved with health and pandemic preparedness. At each centre, at least one German university will cooperate with one or more partner institutions from the host countries. Teaching and research are to take place across disciplinary boundaries and in close dialogue with science, politics, business and civil society. The aim is to promote the transfer of research findings to practical application.  

 European perspectives  

The DAAD supports 19 interdisciplinary Centres for German and European Studies (ZDES) at universities in eleven countries. The aim is to provide information about Germany and Europe in their historical, cultural, social, political and economic contexts. In addition, global networking of the German higher education landscape is to be promoted. The Centres train international experts who work as intermediaries between Germany, Europe and their home countries. 

Partnerships on an equal footing 

For 17 years now, the DAAD has been successfully establishing specialist centres for young African managers at universities in sub-Saharan countries which offer practice-oriented courses at master’s and PhD level and provide particularly good preparation for the job market. The centres cover various specialist areas, including microfinance, logistics, law and sustainable use of resources. Many graduates now work in high-ranking political positions in their respective countries.  

Binational universities 

The binational universities abroad funded by the DAAD play a key role in international knowledge-sharing. One of the best known is German Jordan University (GJU), which was founded in 2005. It is organised along the lines of German universities of applied sciences (HAW), with Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences being the main partner on the German side. At the German University Cairo (GUC), founded in 2002, more than 13,000 young people are currently studying engineering, pharmacy and management according to the German model. This makes it one of the largest binational universities in the world. Founding partners include the universities of Ulm, Stuttgart and Tübingen.  

Digital study preparation 

Germany is one of the most popular study destinations for international students – especially in STEM subjects. In order to make access easier for them, the DAAD offers the opportunity to prepare via digital teaching modules in their home country – a combination of language course and subject-specific preparation. Those who pass the exams can start a degree programme in Germany.