University of Kassel tops HessenFonds list

The Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts opened its doors on Thursday for a very special networking meeting. More than 100 refugee students, doctoral candidates and scientists came together at the invitation of Science Minister Angela Dorn to exchange ideas. They are all scholarship holders of the HessenFonds: With this scholarship, the state of Hesse supports highly talented and high-achieving refugees in continuing their studies or pursuing an academic career at a state university in Hesse. Representatives of the universities were also present and complemented the exchange with presentations and roundtable discussions.

Science Minister Angela Dorn: "Germany has repeatedly taken in refugees and exiles since the Second World War. Not only out of respect for the Basic Law, but also out of a commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Against this background, it was natural that Hesse would also support the refugee scientists who have recently come to us. In 2015 and 2016, the state government launched the comprehensive action plans for integration and social cohesion and, at the suggestion of the universities, also the 'HessenFonds' in 2016. It is great to see how the scholarship holders are bringing this idea to life. This is also made possible thanks to the support of the universities with their welcoming culture and their offers for international students. For this, I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved."

With the HessenFonds, the state awards scholarships for gifted students (300 euros per month) to highly qualified students so that they can concentrate on their new start at university. Doctoral students are supported with 1,150 euros per month. Scientists can receive research grants (2,000 euros a month) so that they can continue their research and establish contacts and collaborations with Hessen's universities.

So far, the state of Hesse has selected a total of 206 people for funding in nine rounds of calls for proposals, including seven scientists, eleven doctoral students and 188 students. Most of these - 182 people - come from Syria. The frontrunner among the universities is the University of Kassel with 46 HessenFonds scholarship recipients, followed by Philipps-Universität Marburg (40) as well as TU Darmstadt (23) and Hochschule Darmstadt (27). There is also a wide range of subjects - from architecture to biotechnology, computer science, social work and dentistry. The next round of applications will begin in April 2020.

"All over the world, people are persecuted - for engaging in politics, for making forbidden art, for doing research in directions forbidden by regimes," added Science Minister Angela Dorn. "It is our responsibility to offer these people a place of refuge and enable them to continue their important work. We rely on the innovation of young dedicated researchers - no matter where they come from - and benefit when people with different experiences come together and share them." 

Contact

Markus Zens
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations

Tel: +49 561 804-1961
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
www.uni-kassel.de