“A lot has happened since the Deutschlandstipendium was introduced at our university ten years ago: Our university is now called the Technical University of Lübeck. In 2019, we hosted the anniversary celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of universities of applied sciences, attracting great national and international attention,” says TH Lübeck President Muriel Helbig. Several thousand students have successfully completed their studies at the university during this time. “More than 250 of them were able to count on the support of the Deutschlandstipendium during their studies. This was made possible by a large number of dedicated sponsors,” adds Muriel Helbig.
A scholarship that creates a future
One of the sponsored students is Ibrahim Al Halabi, who fled to Germany from Syria in 2015. Thanks to his commitment, he has made it to success: In addition to his bachelor’s degree at the TH Lübeck, he also founded a start-up and is now enrolled in a master’s degree at the Technical University. “When I had to leave Damascus and came to Germany, I felt pretty lost at first,” says Al Halabi. He found out about the LINKplus program at Lübeck University of Applied Sciences from acquaintances. LINKplus stands for “Lübeck integration courses plus technology lessons”. It is a preparatory program for the integration of refugees into a course at the Technical University of Lübeck, not necessarily only with a formal university entrance qualification.
German courses in the mornings, vocational school in the afternoons
Ibrahim Al Halabi successfully completes the program: “I learned German in the morning and went to vocational school in the afternoon. It was really stressful, but it was worth it.” He is thirty years old when he begins his studies. At first he found it difficult because of the language barrier: “There were always new terms that I had to understand.” In addition to his studies, he continues to take German courses and work, but the budget is tight. That’s why he’s actively looking for funding opportunities – when he died Germany scholarship finds out, Ibrahim Al Halabi decides to apply. In fact, he is chosen. “When I got the approval for the Deutschlandstipendium, I was really happy.”
Many companies are involved as sponsors, but also private individuals
His private sponsor Friedel Mark was also enthusiastic: Friedel Mark had been pursuing the idea of supporting young people with a migration background on their educational path for a long time. “I have a close connection to other countries, as my father used to travel a lot. I myself worked in Africa for many years as a regional planner in the coordination of development aid,” says Mark. So she was all the happier when she found out about the Germany scholarship from a couple who were friends of hers: “I have no children and no dependents. I think it makes sense to give something away.”
From the laboratory tour to the landing on Mars
The richly filled program of the 10th anniversary reflected the diversity of the university. In the afternoon, interested parties could visit various laboratories at the TH Lübeck and, for example, take a look at the production of 360-degree video productions. in the Laboratory for Immersive Media Prof. Isabella Beyer shows film productions that she has created in her many years of work as a sole proprietor, but current student projects are also included. The guests are flown into the sky from the beach in Travemünde with a view of the casino and follow the camera movement with excitement. They land on Mars and descend to the deepest depths of the sea to meet the “superheroes of the ocean”.
Excellent people and a highlight
Around 100 people attended the ceremony in the Bauforum of the TH Lübeck. The event was provided with music by Lina Gronemeyer and Hannes Pries. The President Dr. Muriel Helbig drew a summary of 10 years of Germany scholarship and proudly stated: “One of the first scholarship holders is now an entrepreneur himself and has been supporting two students at the TH Lübeck since this year.” In his speech, Bernd Buchholz explained the extent of skilled workers now and also would be needed in Schleswig-Holstein in the near future and what the TH Lübeck could do with its training: qualified students, young people who are keen to start a business. In their speech, the scholarship holders Denise Bernau and Finn Dreyer stated what an enrichment and support they would experience through the network of the Deutschlandstipendium. She thanked all the sponsors, but also the program coordinator Nicola Grabow. Michael Schröter, himself a student at what was then Lübeck University of Applied Sciences and now a sponsor on the part of the Mankenberg company, gave an entrepreneurial insight.
After the speeches of the guests, the Vice President for Studies and Digitization Jochen Abke unveiled a table with 10 electronic candles – a highlight – as befits a digitally affine university. During the further course of the event, Karena Landes and Prof. Abke handed over the scholarship folders to the students and sponsors. With sparkling wine and finger food, the guests got into conversation and let the event end.