Presentation of the DAAD Prize 2025 to Anchal Dua

DAAD prizewinner Anchal Dua was nominated by Prof Dr Maria Wimmer (Faculty 4: Computer Sciences). Picture: International Relations Office / University of Koblenz

The University of Koblenz has honoured Master's student Anchal Dua from India with this year's DAAD Prize. The prize was awarded by Vice President Prof Dr Constanze Juchem-Grundmann as part of the International Week.

Dua impressed the selection committee with her excellent academic performance and her special commitment to her fellow students. The University of Koblenz honours the exceptional voluntary commitment of 28-year-old Dua, a Master's student in her 7th semester on the Master of Science E-Government study programme, who has been particularly committed to international students since the beginning of her studies.

Influenced by her own experiences of arriving in Germany, she uses her knowledge to make it easier for new fellow students to start their studies and to support their social integration in Koblenz. Dua began volunteering as a mentor soon after starting her studies. In personal counselling sessions, she accompanies first-year students, gives them tips on planning their studies and helps them to get to know the city of Koblenz and life in Germany better.

Dua also demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility outside of the academic context: In her "Speak with Me" sessions, she offers international students suffering from homesickness or emotional stress a safe space for dialogue and support.

Her professional competence and commitment are also highly valued. For several terms, Prof Dr Wimmer has actively involved her in the welcome events for new students during the orientation phase. In addition, Dua has been a tutor on the M.Sc. E-Government study programme since the summer semester 2024 and is involved in research projects.

Dua has also been involved in student self-government: as an active member of the student parliament (StuPa), she represented the interests of international students, campaigned for improved support structures and took part in key discussions on inclusion, student well-being and academic co-determination.

DAAD prize endowed with 1,000 euros

As part of the "Cultural Stage", the opening event of the International Week at the University of Koblenz Prof Dr Constanze Juchem-Grundmann, Vice President for Academics and Teaching, awarded Dua this year's DAAD prize.

With the DAAD Prize, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers German universities the opportunity to honour their international students for (very) good academic achievements and social - especially intercultural - commitment. The universities are responsible for selecting the award winners. The DAAD Prize, which is endowed with 1,000 euros per university, is intended to help give international students at German universities faces and connect them with stories. This makes it clear that all international students take a piece of Germany back home with them and leave something of themselves in Germany - an enrichment for both sides.