Germany Strengthens Academic Ties with India
Germany is looking to expand its academic collaboration with India, recognizing the potential for strong partnerships in higher education. Kathrin Misera-Lang, Consul General of the German Consulate in Chennai, shared this during her visit to Hyderabad on Monday. She led a high-level delegation from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to premier institutions in the city as part of a broader effort to enhance educational ties.
The delegation includes 27 members, such as DAAD New Delhi directors and rectors from 18 German universities. They are on a seven-day tour across India to discuss higher education policies. Hyderabad was their first stop, and the visit will conclude in Delhi later this week with an education fair.
Kai Sicks, Secretary General of DAAD, highlighted Germany’s commitment to strengthening academic relations with India. He noted that the number of Indian students in Germany has grown significantly, from 6,000 a decade ago to nearly 50,000 today. “India is a key geopolitical partner, and our academic ties are strong and future-ready,” he said. The presence of Germany’s top university representatives in Hyderabad reflects their intent to expand and deepen these connections.
Mr. Sicks also emphasized that funding for education and research is an important investment in Indo-German relations. In 2023 alone, DAAD provided financial support to 1.4 lakh German and international students. This funding comes from the German Federal Foreign Office, the European Union, and other organizations. Initiatives like the German Indian Academic Network for Tomorrow (SPARC – GIANT) are fostering research collaborations in sustainability, mobility, and industrial innovation.
Despite the challenges of India’s vast higher education system, including its large number of institutions and regulatory hurdles, Mr. Sicks remains optimistic about future collaborations. The delegation is now exploring opportunities for joint research, student exchange programs, and dual-degree initiatives.
During their visit to the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Director B.S. Murty stressed the importance of global partnerships in driving innovation and academic excellence. He described the DAAD delegation’s visit as a major step in strengthening Indo-German higher education and research collaborations.
With both countries eager to expand their academic ties, this visit is expected to create new opportunities for knowledge exchange and research partnerships. It further solidifies Germany and India’s role as strong partners in the global education landscape.
