The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) : Germany

The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is a self-administrative academic exchange and support organization jointly founded by the German institutions of higher education. Its purpose is to promote relations between higher education institutions in Germany and institutions abroad, especially through the exchange of students, graduates and scholars. Its programs are open to all countries and all subjects and benefit both foreigners and Germans. ‘

The DAAD also supports the higher education institutions’ international activities with a number of services such as information programs, publications, counseling and advice. Furthermore, the DAAD plays an advisory role in structuring German foreign cultural policy. Its regular members are - upon application - Germany’s universities, colleges and Fachhochschulen as represented in the Conference of German Rectors and Presidents (HRK; Hochschulrektorenkonferenz) and their student bodies. At the end of 1996, a total of 230 universities, colleges and Fachhochschulen and 130 student bodies from various types of higher education institutions were members of the DAAD.

The DAAD fulfills the following functions:

>lt awards scholarships to foreign and German students, student trainees, young academics, lecturers and professors in order to promote international experience in continuing education and training in the field of higher education and research.
>lt arranges and finances long-term and short-term lectureships at foreign universities and colleges for German academic teaching staff from all disciplines (including Lektors for German language, literature and area studies).
J>lt provides information on study and research opportunities at home and abroad through its publications, oral and written advice to individuals, and by organizing and promoting information visits for foreign and German scientists, scholars and student groups.
>lt maintains follow-up contacts with former scholarship holders, especially those abroad, through a rein-vitation program, follow-up meetings and information material, for example the “DAAD Letter - Hochschule und Ausland” newsletter.