The National Scholarship Program (Deutschlandstipendium) is awarded to students who show outstanding academic achievements and are involved in social activities. It is supported by companies, institutions and individuals. Funds from the national and NRW governments further complement the scholarship sums. They are intended to be a contribution to students' living costs and ideally, they should enable them to concentrate on their studies rather than worrying about financial issues. Thus, they considerably help to improve students' study conditions.

We are happy to announce that this year three CompEng students were chosen to benefit from this scholarship: Dilshod Durdiev, Ashwani Kumar and Suyog Mhatre are funded by the Ruth und Gert Massenberg-Stiftung, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rolf Kindmann as well as the Wilo Foundation Dortmund.  On 11th of November 2019, the scholarship was awarded to our scholarship holders at the Audimax enabling them to improve their academic performance: ”The financial support gives me more time for studying” (Dilshod Durdiev). “[E]arning such a prestigious scholarship can help me stand out showing my exceptional ability in my academic career” (Suyog Mhatre).

Not only do our scholarship holders stand out through their remarkable academic performance but furthermore due to their voluntary commitment. Mr. Durdiev for instance has experience in giving tutoring lessons in chess as well as languages. Being a professional chess player and speaking five languages, he is passing on his own knowledge and gaining valuable skills in return. As a Vice President of the CompEng student council, Mr. Mhatre represents the students as well as the program towards professors, applicants and other faculties, showing a lot of professionalism and determination fulfilling this position. Mr. Kumar helps CompEng students in solving their academic related queries being a Guidance Coordinator: “[I] find it a good way to interact with students, know their areas of concern and help solve them.” (Ashwani Kumar).

After hearing about the scholarship, our students initially shared the good news with their loved ones: “I decided to tell my parents personally in India since I had a flight 3 days [after receiving the scholarship]. The feelings, reactions, expressions, emotions of my parents were all mixed which can't be expressed in words.” (Suyog Mhatre). “I told my parents first when I got the scholarship and they were so happy. I would like to make my family proud so that they know that all of their sacrifices were worth it. I will do my best for that.” (Dilshod Durdiev).  “As soon as I received the scholarship, I immediately informed my parents and friends. They have been always supportive towards my endeavors and hearing this news, they were both proud and delightful.” (Ashwani Kumar).

For their studies as well as their future, the scholarship holders show a lot of ambition which has certainly also led to the award of scholarship in the end: “A year into my masters at RUB, I am extremely pleased with the positive outcome in academic, intercultural experience and interpersonal skills. After my masters, I would like to continue my study by pursuing a doctoral program and research in the field of Computational Sciences.” (Ashwani Kumar). “I would like to do an internship in Germany, I see this as the perfect opportunity to supplement my studies with practical experience, and write my Master thesis in collaboration with a company. After I finished the master’s program, I want to work in Germany. I love this country.“ (Dilshod Durdiev).

We wish the three scholarship holders all the best for their future. We are proud to have you on board!

Many thanks to the RUB Rectorate and the RUB Department of PR and Communication/ Fundraising and Alumni for making this scholarship available to the students.

For further information on the scholarship programme visit https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/bildungsfonds/info-studierende/en/index_en.html

Christina Rauch