newsletter >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015

Topics of this issue

Editorial……………………p.1

Recent Events…. ………..p.2

Research in Germany…...p.4

Research Funding………..p.4

Interview…………………..p.5

Green Talents 2015……...p.6

Featured Courses...……...p.7

Contact us

Visit our website:

www.ic.daad.de/singapore/

Send us an email:

info@daad-singapore.org Phone: (+65) 6223 4226

Dear readers,

We are pleased to introduce our new newslet-

ter and we hope that you find the information

here useful. In every issue, we will provide

regular updates about our events and activi-

ties as well as information about the research

community in Germany.

You are always welcome to stay in touch with

the DAAD, be it as a young and promising

student, a renowned and experienced re-

searcher, or as one of our merited DAAD

alumni in Singapore.

Team Information Centre Singapore

The director of the DAAD IC in Singapore is

Claudia Finner, who joined the DAAD office in

August 2014. She studied in Bonn and Tokyo.

Besides majoring in Japanese, Korean, Eco-

nomic studies and German as a Foreign lan-

guage, she also holds a master in translation.

Prior to her position in Singapore, Claudia

has worked in Germany, Japan, South Korea,

Poland and India.

Secina Bornhöft moved to Singapore in De-

cember 2013 and joined the DAAD IC Singa-

pore as an information officer in April 2015.

She has a Bachelor in Public Health and a

Masters in Management for Health Services.

She also attended Bournemouth & Poole Col-

lege in South England and has gained inter-

national experience in Italy, Switzerland and

Singapore.

In this issue ...

This issue will highlight both our recent and

forthcoming activities and events.

Additionally, we will provide information about

study and research in Germany. We also

spoke with Dr. Amylia Tan, who shares with

us her experiences about doing her Doctorate

in Germany.

We hope you will enjoy reading our

newsletter. If you have any feedback or ideas

regarding its content, please do not hesitate

to contact us.

Best regards

Claudia Finner & Secina Bornhöft

Publisher

Deutscher Akademischer

Austausch Dienst e.V.

(DAAD)

Kennedyallee 50

D-53175 Bonn

Contact

German Academic Ex-

change Service (DAAD),

Information Centre Singa-

pore

c/o Goethe-Institut

136 Neil Road

Singapore 088865

Editor

Claudia Finner

Photos

Dörthe Hagenguth, page 4

Impressum

Secina Bornhöft Claudia Finner

Page 2

newsletter >>>>>>

Events Jan-Feb-Mar-April

January 19th | TUM Asia students awarded

with DAAD scholarships

This year, the DAAD awarded 29 scholarships

to outstanding Master students of the German

Institute of Science and Technology – TUM

Asia from various Master programs such as

Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Chemistry,

Integrated Circuit Design, Microelectronics and

Transport & Logistics. TUM Asia is a subsidiary

of the Technische Universität München (TUM)

and the first German academic venture abroad.

It also offers joint degree programmes with Na-

tional University of Singapore (NUS) and Nan-

yang Technological University (NTU) and has

expanded to a total of two Bachelor and seven

Master degree programmes in 2015.

February 26/27th | German Day at MOELC

On February 26 and 27, the Ministry of Educa-

tion Language Centre organised its annual Ger-

man Day. The DAAD Information Centre Singa-

pore once again had the great pleasure of par-

ticipating in this event. German language stu-

dents from the MOELC presented about their

exchange trip to Germany and entertained the

audience with a theatre play on this year’s

theme “Erfinder & Entdecker”. Following a

presentation by the DAAD about Bachelor de-

gree opportunities in Germany, students took

part in a quiz where they capably demonstrated

their knowledge about the country and its cul-

ture.

March 06th | Infoseminar Doing a Doctorate

in Germany

The traditional individual path towards complet-

ing a doctorate remains the most common in

Germany. In this case, a professor supervises a

doctoral student, who works on his subject in

consultation with the professor, but largely

independently. At the information session

“Doing a Doctorate in Germany“ held on

March 6 this year, participants had the oppor-

tunity to hear from three professors from the

renowned TUM on doing a doctorate in their

fields of research, namely inorganic chemis-

try, flights system dynamics and communica-

tions engineering. The session was jointly

organised with TUM Asia. (Photos next page)

DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015

At a glance

January 19th | TUM ASIA students awarded with DAAD scholarships

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

February 26/27th | German Day at Min-istry of Education Language Centre (MOELC)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

March 06th | Infosem-inar Doing a Doctor-ate in Germany

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

April 2nd | Higher

Education Fair at

ASC International

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

April 23rd | Scientific and Dinner Talk in collaboration with TUM Asia

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May 13th | Infosemi-nar "Research in Germany - Earning a Doctorate, Post-Doc" in collaboration with Fraunhofer Institute

Page 3

newsletter >>>>>>

April 23rd | Scientific and Dinner Talk

The DAAD and TUM Asia jointly organised a

scientific dinner talk titled “Functional

Chemosensation: Implications for Nutrition,

Health and Wellness” on April 23 this year.

Senior Vice President of TUM Professor

Thomas Hofmann was the distinguished

speaker at the event, which was held at the

Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. Professor

Hofmann, who also serves as the Chair of

Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensors is an

accomplished researcher and lecturer in the

areas of functional chemosensation and its

implications for nutrition, health and wellness.

Industry experts and researchers enjoyed a

meaningful evening, as they engaged in dis-

cussion about the future of the food nutrition

industry, especially in research and develop-

ment. The dinner talk aimed to foster closer

ties between Germany and Singapore, as

well as encourage the academic exchange of

knowledge between the two countries.

May 13th | Infoseminar

"Research in Germany - Earning a Doctor-

ate, Post-Doc" in collaboration with Fraun-

hofer Institute

DAAD organised an information seminar on

“Research in Germany” at the Research

TechnoPlaza at Nanyang Technological Uni-

versity (NTU) together with the Fraunhofer

Institute. Professor Gerhard Grüber, in order

to encourage those who aim to earn a doctor-

ate in Germany, said: “Show initiative and be

the driver.” Professor Wolfgang Müller-Wittig

detailed the various career options available

at the Fraunhofer Institute and also chatted

with the guests at the network session. Dr.

Amylia Ghani also talked about her doctorate

experience in Germany while DAAD director

Claudia Finner described the research land-

scape and talked about funding opportunities.

Be sure not to miss our upcoming information

sessions in autumn! Stay updated by reading

our quarterly newsletter.

DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015

ACS International ▼

April 2nd | Higher

Education Fair at

ASC International

The DAAD Infor-

mation Centre Singa-

pore had the great

pleasure to partici-

pate in the Higher

Education Fair at

Anglo Chinese

School International

on April 2. The stu-

dents were able to

gain knowledge

about admission re-

quirements and study

opportunities in Ger-

many. We thank ASC

International for this

opportunity to share

about studying in

Germany with the

students.

Scientific and Dinner Talk ▼

Infoseminar Doing a Doctorate ▲ ►

Infoseminar: Research in Germany - Earning a Doctorate, Post-Doc ▼

Page 4

newsletter >>>>>>

Learn more about research in

Germany:

www.phdgermany.de

The DAAD has assembled a

selection of over 100 scholar-

ships and other programmes,

which are offered not only by

the DAAD, but also by nu-

merous other organisations.

The “DAAD Funding Guide”

database helps future PhD

students find the appropriate

contact for a scholarship.

www.funding-guide.de

Which existing projects touch

upon the subject on which I

would like to write my PhD

thesis? What is the state of

research? Where are possi-

ble points of contact? An-

swers to these questions are

provided by the “German

Project Information Sys-

tem” (GEPRIS) database

gepris.dfg.de

Information (right) from:

http://www.research-in-

germany.org/en/

Research in Germany

Science and research in Germany are char-

acterised by an excellent infrastructure, a

wide variety of disciplines, well-equipped re-

search facilities and competent staff. Germa-

ny offers various forms of research locations:

universities, non-university institutes, compa-

nies and institutions run by federal or state

(“Länder”) authorities. All in all, there are

nearly 1,000 public and publicly funded insti-

tutions of science, research and development

in Germany, plus research and development

(R&D) centres run by companies.

In selected fields or regions, these industrial

and academic institutions pool their research

and development activities in networks and

clusters to work more efficiently and to benefit

from a higher level of knowledge. Also, coop-

eration at European as well as international

level has become an essential dimension of

sciences and humanities in Germany.

Did you know?

Some 29,000 foreigners work as academic

staff at German higher education institutions.

German funding organisations support over

26,000 international graduates, postdoctoral

researchers and senior scientists doing re-

search in Germany. A large number of career

opportunities are open to people who come to

Germany after completing their doctorates,

especially if they already have some years of

research experience. Furthermore, the indus-

try is also on the lookout for top international

researchers to conduct applied research.

http://www.research-in-germany.org/en/jobs-and-careers/info-for-

postdocs-and-junior-researchers/where-to-do-research.html

DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015

Research Funding

Germany places great emphasis on globally

networked research cooperation. Many or-

ganisations support international researchers

and academics: Today more than 32,000 are

being supported with scholarships. Besides

this, research funding in Germany has the

goal of financing the development of new ide-

as and technologies. The range covers every-

thing from basic research in natural sciences,

new technologies to structural research fund-

ing at institutions of higher education.

Over 56.000 foreign researchers received

financial support from German funding organ-

isations and agencies in 2012. There are sev-

eral funding databases where you can find

funding programmes for international Gradu-

ates and PhD Students, Postdocs and Junior

Researchers, Senior Researcher and Faculty

by various funding organisations.

http://www.research-in-germany.org/en/

research-funding/funding-programmes.html

Scholarship database: www.funding-guide.de

Research funding programmes:

www.research-in.germany.de/funding

Job market for Junior researchers: https://

www.academics.com/

About

PhD in Germany

In this section “Research in

Germany” we bring you

information on the latest

developments in Germany’s

research community, on

funding opportunities at

German universities and

research institutions, as well

as on career opportunities in

science and research.

Page 5

newsletter >>>>>>

Links

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Higher Education

Compass enables users

to discover the

requirements for studying

for a doctorade at

individual universities:

www.hochschulkompa

ss.de/en/doctoral-

studies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This web page offers

practical advice about

preparing a stay and

entering Germany.

www.research-in-

germany.org/research-

stay

Germany has a large

network of universities

and research institutions.

If you want to find out

which institutions are

working in your field, the

DFG’s (Deutsche For-

schungsgemeinschaft/

German Research Foun-

dation) “Research Ex-

plorer” offers an orienta-

tion guide.

www.research-

explorer.de

Doing a Doctorate in Germany - Interview with Dr. Amylia Ghani

Explore why Dr. Amylia Ghani says “Have

faith and do it!”

Why did you decide to do a Doctorate in

Germany?

I've always had a fascination with Germany,

its culture and history. Being a chemist, it pro-

vided me with even more incentive as many

of the great chemists were German and much

of the technology we have today stemmed

from Germany. I thought it would be a good

idea to experience the education there to see

how it differed from the education in Singa-

pore. I was actually offered a PhD position

after my masters at the TU-Munich. Having

already spent eight months there and loving

the lifestyle and the style of education, I de-

cided to stay.

How would you describe the quality of

doctoral studies in Germany?

I would say it is very research focused and

very "hands on". You're not just reading about

the research in theory but you're actually do-

ing it with your own hands and observing first

hand.

How did you like your Doctorate? Did it

fulfill your expectations?

I enjoyed every bit of it, even the hard and

difficult parts! I think it exceeded my expecta-

tions and gave me opportunities I could previ-

ously only dream about.

How will the Doctorate made in Germany

help your career?

I think having any kind of international expo-

sure would enrich anyone's CV instantly. It

shows that you've had the courage to take up

something completely new and are able to

work outside your comfort zone. Also it shows

that you're able to adapt to different working

environments and different working culture.

What would your advise be to anyone

thinking of applying for a scholarship?

Have faith and do it.

How were you coping with the German

language?

I had previously done 2 years of German

while I was in NUS for my undergraduate

studies. That did help a little when I was out

and had to buy bread from the bakery. But

the language of instruction in the university

for research especially is English. The re-

search groups in the university are so diverse

and multi-national that everyone speaks Eng-

lish. So there's nothing much to worry about

the language barrier.

Besides from the research knowledge and

personal enrichment, why would you en-

courage other students to go to Germany?

I think it is a good experience, fantastic life-

style, excellent opportunities to travel and see

Europe and work wise, it also opens the

doors to other international opportunities

since Germany has many international collab-

orators.

Which expectations did you have when

you went to Germany and have they been

met?

I expected an enriching experience and the

opportunity to see the world, and I think I got

what I wanted.

DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015

Page 6

newsletter >>>>>>

Green Talents - Experience Research in Germany

Take part in the Green Talents Com-

petition, promote your research in

Germany and gain exclusive access

to its sustainable development

hotspots.

Sustainable development means leading an

environmentally friendly life in a way that con-

serves resources. This is essential to pre-

serve our world for subsequent generations

and particularly important in enabling our cit-

ies to overcome the challenges ahead. With

its top innovation and research centres, Ger-

many supports these efforts in particular by

intensifying international cooperation among

the bright young minds of tomorrow.

The German Federal Ministry of Education

and Research (BMBF) has held the prestig-

ious ”Green Talents – International Forum

for High Potentials in Sustainable Devel-

opment” since 2009 to promote the interna-

tional exchange of innovative green ideas.

The award, under the patronage of Minister

Professor Johanna Wanka, honours 25 young

researchers each year. The winners come

from numerous countries and scientific disci-

plines and are recognised for their outstand-

ing achievements in making our societies

more sustainable. Selected by a high-ranking

jury of German experts the award-winners are

granted unique access to the country’s re-

search elite.

In the 2015 Green Talents competition and in

view of 2015 being the “City of the Future”

Science Year we would particularly welcome

submissions relating to this topic. However,

the competition is still open to all fields and

offers equal chances to win. The 2015 award

includes:

• An invitation to visit Germany in 2015 to par-

ticipate in the fully funded two-week science

forum. While touring Germany, the award-

winners will have access to top science and

research institutions that will offer unique in-

sights into their work.

• A chance for the award-winners to present

themselves and their work in person during

individual appointments with experts of their

choice (during the two-week science forum).

• A fully funded research stay of up to three

months at an institution of the award-winner´s

choice in 2016.

DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015

Project Management

Agency

c/o German Aerospace

Center (DLR)

European and Interna-

tional Cooperation

E-Mail: greental-

ents@dlr.de

Phone: +49 (0) 228 3821

1906

Contact

Deadline for submission: 2 June 2015, 12 p.m. CET.

For more information please refer to the competition flyer on

www.greentalents.de or watch the clip on http://greentalents.de/video-2015.php

Federal Ministry of

Education and Reserach

Where does research in

Germany happen? Where

are regional clusters? What

kind of references can be

found? The BMBF research

maps have been developed

to answer questions like

these.

Current data of research

institutions are transformed

into maps that enable

geographical and regional

analyses of research

activities.

Maps indicating the locations

of universities and research

organizations are provided

on the pages of

organizations such as Max

Planck Society, Fraunhofer

Institute, Helmholtz

Association etc.. Visit the

following weblink for more

information:

http://www.bmbf.de/en/5355.php

A wide general knowledge

base is the foundation of

qualitative growth

The BMBF Framework

Programme Research for

Sustainable Development

provides support for

research in the areas of

climate and energy, natural

resources and nature

conservation, society and

environment to expand on

our knowledge of

environmental issues. Non-

university research

institutions, and the

Helmholtz centres in

particular, are taking

advantage of BMBF funding

to do comprehensive

research in these thematic

fields.

http://www.fona.de/en/index.php

Page 7

newsletter >>>>>>

DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015 FEATURED COURSES

German Master‟s degrees in Energy Engineering, Urban Development and Water Engineering at Technische Universität Berlin

Campus El Gouna, Egypt

Technische Universität Berlin (TUB), Germany, established a satellite Campus in El Gouna to act as an academic hub and research center at the Red Sea in Egypt. TUB Campus El Gouna currently conducts three advanced Master’s degree programs in:

Energy Engineering

Urban Development

Water Engineering

All two-year programs comprise 120 Credit Points (ECTS) and are taught in English. Students graduate with a full Master’s degree by Technische Universität Berlin. Next to their study time in El Gouna, they spend up to one year at TUB’s mother campus in Berlin.

Deadline for application: 31 May 2015

TUB Campus El Gouna was founded as a nonprofit Public-Private-Partnership between TU Berlin, Orascom Development Holding (ODH), and Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD). Teaching and research are conducted by staff of Technische Universität Berlin and international experts under German regulations for higher education.

The exceptional location of TUB Campus El Gouna provides a state-of-the-art environment for studying and research, while serving as bridge for scientific and intercultural exchange between Europe, the MENA region, and worldwide.

For more information, please visit:

www.campus-elgouna.tu-berlin.de and follow us on www.facebook.com/CampusElGouna

Technische Universität Berlin Campus El Gouna

daad.de/admission

Information on the re-

quirements for admission

to university in Germany -

also available in English

study-in.de

Internet Portal for foreign

students providing infor-

mation about studying

and living in Germany.

You can find an easy

search option for degree

programmes, checklists

for downloading, dates of

upcoming student fairs.

hochschulkom-

pass.de

The Higher Education

Compass database pro-

vides information on doc-

toral study opportunities

and on the international

cooperation agreements

maintained by Germany’s

higher education institu-

tions.

testas.de

TestAS is a central,

standardized Academic

Aptitude Test for foreign

students.

testdaf.de

TestDaF is the central,

standarised Test of

German as a Foreign

Language.

Useful weblinks

Page 8

newsletter >>>>>>

DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015

You did not choose finance at university. But you are curious to find out about the major financial products and investment strategies. You want to better understand the news, dream about becoming the next George Soros or have thought about going into banking after

all. Please contact us to find out more.

Benefits

10 day intensive programme at Frankfurt

School of Finance & Management.

Lectures and tutorials led by experts.

Small discussion groups.

Visits to financial institutions.

Interaction between students from all

over the world.

Team-building and for those who are

interested: sport events (like swimming).

Costs & Organisation

Date: 12. -25. July 2015 Credits: 5 ECTS Costs: EUR 3,400 all-included-price – including company visits and cultural trips, accommodation in boarding houses, local transport and food. (Excl. flights)

Taught entirely in English, the Boot Camp attracts highly motivated students from Germany and other countries around the world. Spending a fortnight abroad will give you additional international exposure. And last but not least, you’ll benefit from Frankfurt School’s excellent connections to banks, financial institutions and consulting firms. Participants are expected to be fluent in English.

Learn more!

Contact us at: j.rosenkranz@fs.de

Register now for Frankfurt School’s Finance Boot Camp!

daad.de/admission

Information on the re-

quirements for admission

to university in Germany -

also available in English

study-in.de

Internet Portal for foreign

students providing infor-

mation about studying

and living in Germany.

You can find an easy

search option for degree

programmes, checklists

for downloading, dates of

upcoming student fairs.

hochschulkom-

pass.de

The Higher Education

Compass database pro-

vides information on doc-

toral study opportunities

and on the international

cooperation agreements

maintained by Germany’s

higher education institu-

tions.

testas.de

TestAS is a central,

standardized Academic

Aptitude Test for foreign

students.

testdaf.de

TestDaF is the central,

standarised Test of

German as a Foreign

Language.

Useful weblinks

FEATURED COURSES

Page 9

newsletter >>>>>>

DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue May | 2015

Frankfurt: One of Europe‟s most vibrant economic regions. At its core: Frankfurt

School of Finance & Management.

Here, 1,800 lecturers, 50 professors and 8,000 students bridge the gap between theory and practice, while being surrounded by Europe’s leading financial institutions.

Frankfurt School has one of the most research-active economics faculties in the German speaking region. With its practical and research-based orientation it regularly achieves top positions in rankings.

Programmes fully taught in English:

Bachelor„s Programme Majors

Banking & Finance (BSc)

International Management (BSc)

Here you can watch a movie about our undergraduate programme: http://www.frankfurt-school.de/content/en/education_programmes/bachelor.html

The Frankfurt School of Finance & Management will award scholarships to graduates of the IB Diploma Programme to begin undergraduate (Bachelor) studies in August 2015: http://www.frankfurt-school.de/content/en/education_programmes/financing_for_studies/scholarships/ib_scholarship.html

Master„s Programmes

Master of Finance (MSc)

Master in Management (MSc)

Master of International Business (MA)

MBAs

The Frankfurt MBA (MBA)

International Healthcare Management (MBA)

Executive MBA (EMBA) http://www.frankfurt-school.de/content/en/education_programmes/mba/emba.html

For more information, see www.frankfurt-school.de or contact us prospectivestudents@fs.de.

Excellence is not a matter of chance –

It‘s a matter of choice

daad.de/admission

Information on the re-

quirements for admission

to university in Germany -

also available in English

study-in.de

Internet Portal for foreign

students providing infor-

mation about studying

and living in Germany.

You can find an easy

search option for degree

programmes, checklists

for downloading, dates of

upcoming student fairs.

hochschulkom-

pass.de

The Higher Education

Compass database pro-

vides information on doc-

toral study opportunities

and on the international

cooperation agreements

maintained by Germany’s

higher education institu-

tions.

testas.de

TestAS is a central,

standardized Academic

Aptitude Test for foreign

students.

testdaf.de

TestDaF is the central,

standarised Test of

German as a Foreign

Language.

Useful weblinks

FEATURED COURSES