No standstill - despite standstill!

The atmosphere is solemn and highly ceremonial. The Rector stands at the lectern and, as part of the formal enrolment ceremony, announces the new recipients of the Germany Scholarship at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in front of hundreds of spectators. He praises their dedication and introduces them to their sponsors, whom they will meet in person following the event.

That’s how it used to be. But like so many other events, the formal presentation of certificates to the current Germany Scholarship recipients has had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

During the virtual enrolment ceremony last October, the 15 Germany Scholarship recipients at HSZG learned who their sponsors were from their home computers and had to forgo a formal get-together with their sponsors. And their above-average social engagement also faced the threat of severe setbacks due to the measures associated with the lockdown.

But often, this was only apparent! For the HSZG scholarship recipients, the restrictions were no reason to stop their often volunteer work in clubs or their involvement on campus. They simply adapted to the circumstances.

Fully Prepared for Any Emergency

Take Jamel Rejeb Bibani, for example. He is in his seventh semester studying automation and mechatronics in the KIA degree programme and is sponsored by ATN Hölzel GmbH. “The Deutschlandstipendium provides me with financial support as I constantly commute between my employer in Magdeburg and my university in Zittau,” says the 22-year-old, describing the benefits of the scholarship.

Jamel has been a member of the volunteer fire department in his hometown near Zerbst in Saxony-Anhalt since he was ten years old. Last year, he took on the volunteer role of youth leader there, thereby supporting youth programs at the station. But how can he continue his training with the volunteer fire department when in-person contact isn’t currently possible?

“I used to provide hands-on training to the 10- to 16-year-olds right on site, which I really enjoyed. Now I simply train them online in a wide variety of tasks”—from explaining guidelines and procedures in an emergency to handling protective gear. The student is now guiding his protégés digitally. “How do you properly unroll a hose, and who takes on which task during an emergency? These are all important rules that need to be taught,” Jamel explains. “And after all, they also need to be able to tell the difference between a breathing apparatus and a firefighter’s helmet.” The lessons are going very good, but they’re nowhere near a substitute for in-person interaction. “But it’s better than nothing at all.”

Planning Is Everything

For Victoria Otto, too, simply letting her previous involvement fall by the wayside was out of the question. She is studying health care management and is supported by Minister President Michael Kretschmer, Member of Parliament Stephan Meyer, and Görlitz Mayor Octavian Ursu.

Although the active show jumper was unable to participate in tournaments, she has recently focused more on her role as a board member of the Rosenhof Görlitz Riding and Driving Club (Reit- und Fahrverein Rosenhof Görlitz e.V.). “We are and remain optimistic and are currently planning various training courses and our Görlitz Summer Weeks, which are scheduled to take place this September,” says the 22-year-old. In addition, she also intends to run for reelection to the Faculty Student Committee of the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies. “The Germany Scholarship gives me the necessary security for this, especially during the time when my internship is coming up,” she says.

Mentoring Goes Digital

The topic of internship funding is also a top priority for Alexander Brugger. The 24-year-old receives funding from Sparkasse Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien. He is in his fifth semester studying computer science at HSZG in Görlitz. “Thanks to the Deutschlandstipendium, I was able to choose an internship that’s a great fit in terms of subject matter but isn’t paid, unlike other positions,” says the native of Austria.

What kind of commitment did he demonstrate to impress the scholarship selection committee? “As student body representative, I made it my mission to improve communication among computer science students. To that end, I worked with the Faculty Student Committee for Computer Science to introduce a ‘mentoring’ program for computer science students. We currently have about ten mentors who ‘take under our wing’ around 30 first-semester students and are always available to answer questions,” says Alexander Brugger.

“Our goal is to connect computer science students within our own class and across classes, to motivate them to form study groups, and to achieve good academic success through this method. Now—during these difficult times for first-year students—we’re trying to implement this online.”

Because communication is second nature

Communication is no stranger to Ekaterina Poltorak either. She is currently in her third semester of the integrated management Master's degree programme and is supported by the GWT-TU Dresden. The 24-year-old, who was born in Russia, works as a research assistant in the International Office at HSZG. She supports Russian students who are studying at the university as part of exchange programs. “I help in the office by preparing documents they need—for example, for the registration office, banks, and health insurance companies—I schedule appointments, and I’m also happy to accompany them to government offices. My interpreting skills are often in demand.”

Ekaterina is particularly pleased that, despite the COVID-19 crisis, she hasn’t completely lost personal contact with the students. “We live together in the dorm as roommates. If they have any questions, the students can easily reach me, and we just handle the administrative tasks together,” she says of her part-time job.

Unfortunately, she currently has to forgo in-person contact in her volunteer work as a guitar teacher. But instead of canceling lessons, she’s simply conducting them online for anyone interested.

“The Deutschlandstipendium has given me more time for myself and my studies and has spared me from having to work an additional job at a pizzeria—on top of my work at the HSZG’s International Office and as a guitar teacher—to make ends meet,” she sums up with a smile.

Deutschlandstipendium—What Is It, Anyway?

The Deutschlandstipendium represents a scholarship program supported by the federal government, universities, and private sponsors.

It supports talented and dedicated students at our university for one year with 300 euros per month. Private sponsors—such as companies, foundations, alumni, and other individuals—cover 150 euros of that amount. The federal government covers the remaining 150 euros. In addition to good grades and academic performance, social engagement and special personal achievements—such as successfully overcoming obstacles in one’s own educational journey—are also taken into account when awarding the Germany Scholarship.