13. February 2025

"A sign of active participation": Germany Scholarship strengthens UW/H students

Scholarship recipients from the Faculties of Health and Management, Economics and Society at Witten/Herdecke University meet their sponsors at a handover ceremony.

Michaela Steffen from the Jackstädt Foundation (photo left) presents the certificate to a scholarship holder

Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) supports talented students who stand out due to their special achievements, impressive biographies and exceptional commitment. 39 students will receive a Deutschlandstipendium from October 2024 to September 2025. The scholarship recipients came together with their sponsors at an event to celebrate their successes and exchange ideas.

The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship enables students to realise their full potential - be it through outstanding academic achievements or social commitment. This is demonstrated by the diverse biographies of the scholarship holders.

Like that of Jennifer Frey, who is in her fourth semester of medicine at UW/H. After a bouldering accident in 2023, she is still struggling with the after-effects of the operation. She had to take her first MEQ (Modified Essay Questions) examination lying down and give up her temporary job due to severe pain when sitting. "The support from the university and the financial relief provided by the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship allow me to focus on my recovery and my studies - I'm very grateful for that," explains the 25-year-old. "Especially in phases when the many appointments for occupational therapy and physiotherapy dominated my everyday life, this relief was crucial for me. After all, as a child in a home without family support, an accident like this is a challenge in many respects."

Another scholarship holder is Lisa Kaupert, who is a first-time graduate combining two degree programmes: PPÖ - Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Psychology. At the same time, she takes on responsibility in the university community and is involved as a board member of the student cultural association Unikat, in the university Senate and in the faculty student council. "The Deutschlandstipendium gives me financial security as well as more freedom for my studies and my voluntary work," she reports. “I also feel it is a great appreciation for the work and energy that we scholarship recipients put into these areas. It shows that our efforts are recognised - that motivates me immensely.”

The scholarship recipients at a glance

Many sponsors have been supporting the Deutschlandstipendium for many years

The programme is only possible thanks to the support of numerous sponsors - companies, foundations and private individuals who are highly committed to the education of the next generation. This year, the university would like to thank in particular: Anita Pfeil, Christa Thoben, Peter Pohlmann, Michael Berger, Klaus Rommel, Tillmann Neinhaus, Wittener Universitätsgesellschaft e. V., Volksbank Bochum Witten eG, Continentale Krankenversicherung a.G., Dr Ausbüttel & Co GmbH, Ralf und Uschi Kutscheit Stiftung, Stiftung Studienfonds der Witten/Herdecke University, Stiftung Private Witten/Herdecke University, Dr Werner Jackstädt-Stiftung, Stüllenberg Stiftung, provalida GmbH and zeptrum Dr Adamsen PartG mbB.

"The Deutschlandstipendium stands for more than financial support - it enables participation and thus promotes diversity and inclusion at our university. The stories of our scholarship recipients show how important it is to create opportunities for everyone," explains Dr Dirk Jakobs, Vice President for Organisational Development at UW/H.

Facts and figures about the Deutschlandstipendium:

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) introduced the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship in 2011 with the aim of supporting high-achieving and committed young people on their educational path.
The special feature of the scholarship lies in its funding model: half of the money comes from the federal government, while Witten/Herdecke University raises the other half from companies, foundations and numerous private individuals.
Since the programme was launched, around 322 million euros have been raised from private sponsors - companies, associations, foundations and private individuals - across Germany. In 2023 alone, this totalled around 33 million euros.
A total of 31,424 scholarship recipients were supported with a Deutschlandstipendium in 2023. That is 3% more than in the previous year and 1.1% of students across Germany.