Last week, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) 2025 Award and two awards from the International Society Aalen e. V. were presented at the International Center of Aalen University of Applied Sciences. Students, lecturers and other guests celebrated the efforts of the award winners together. The evening impressively demonstrated how strongly lived Intercultural skills unite the university community.
Aalen University of Applied Sciences was recently awarded the DAAD Prize 2025 by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as well as the ISA awards "Buddy of the Year" and "Experience and Share Abroad" by the International Society Aalen e. V.. The evening was characterized by personal histories, moving moments and a strong embassy: education connects across borders. The Head /Director of the International Relations Office, Pascal Cromm, welcomed the audience at the opening. He emphasized that, especially in times of conflict, education connects people and the world and that the world can be made a better place with joint efforts. At the same time, he praised the special "welcome spirit" that the international community at Aalen University of Applied Sciences lives by.
DAAD Prize 2025 for Netanya Jason Christopher Iskandar
This year's DAAD prize went to Netanya Jason Christopher Iskandar from Indonesia, a Bachelor's graduate in the "Electrical Engineering" degree programme. "His outstanding assignment, credit, performance in his Studies - he achieved the best final grade of the entire class in Electrical Engineering - and his commitment to the community, both in his home country and in Germany, make Mr. Iskandar a particularly worthy candidate for the DAAD Prize," emphasized Prof. Dr. Klaus Maier, Dean of the Faculty of Electronics and Computer Science, who nominated the student for the prize. In his home country, Iskandar taught computer skills to children from low-income families and was involved in various environmental projects. In Aalen, he worked on a voluntary basis with the German Red Cross and also acquired the "Voluntary Embassy of East Württemberg" certificate awarded in collaboration, cooperation with the regions.
Samantha Sada: Openness, courage and a special friendship
The "Buddy of the Year" award from the International Society Aalen e. V. went to Samantha Sada, a student of Iraqi origin on the "Physician Assistant" degree programme. Sada supported international students from countries such as Armenia, India and Turkey during her Studies with a pronounced openness and tolerance and an extraordinary commitment. A particularly emotional moment was provided by a student from Armenia, who stood up from the audience, presented Sada with a bouquet of roses and emphasized that she had been her first friend in Germany. The audience, including Samantha Sada's family, was visibly moved.
Nick Maßholder: Intercultural experiences with humor and heart
Nick Maßholder from the "Business Psychology" degree program received the "Experience and Share Foreigners" award from the International Society Aalen e. V.. Maßholder spoke humorously about his study abroad in Brazil, where he sometimes had to communicate with his hands and feet, and about his internship in Lithuania. After his return, Maßholder's commitment encouraged numerous fellow students to also take the plunge and go abroad.
Rosemarie Francis-Binder from the International Center was the charming host of the program. Musical interludes such as "We are the world", performed on the saxophone by Mario May from the International Center, rounded off the program. At the buffet afterwards, guests and students took the opportunity to talk to each other and continue the international exchange. Many agreed: This evening will be remembered as a celebration of diversity and living together at Aalen University of Applied Sciences.
