Study in Germany: UIN Jakarta and DAAD Jakarta Offer Graduate Scholarship Opportunities

Ciputat, UIN News Online – UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta partnered with DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Jakarta to host an information session on graduate study programs and scholarship opportunities in Germany on Friday (August 22, 2025).

The event brought together Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D.; Head of the Center for Religious Moderation Prof. Arif Zamhari, M.A., Ph.D.; Deputy Director of the DAAD Regional Office Jakarta Muji Rahayu; Scholarship and Alumni Affairs Officer La Budza; Scholarship Programs Officer Dwi Novaldi; Coordinator for International Cooperation Services Dzikri Rohmat Romadhon, M.Pfis.; and participants from diverse backgrounds.

During his address, Prof. Asep shared his own experience as a DAAD scholarship recipient in Germany and emphasized the importance of preparation—particularly mastering English, taking German language courses, and selecting universities that align with one’s academic goals such as Göttingen, Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig, and Berlin.

“Germany’s higher education quality is standardized nationwide. Even smaller-town universities are well-equipped, and many have produced Nobel laureates—without necessarily competing for global rankings,” he noted.

He also encouraged students to consider Germany as a study destination, highlighting its supportive academic environment.

“The German government is highly attentive to student welfare, providing housing support, healthcare, family benefits, and even additional subsidies if the scholarship alone doesn’t fully cover living costs,” he added.

Prof. Asep further underlined that this session was especially valuable for UIN Jakarta students, serving as an entry point for future collaboration between UIN Jakarta and DAAD aimed at fostering a strong, mutually beneficial partnership for advancing education in Indonesia.

Echoing this sentiment, Muji Rahayu expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to present information about academic and research opportunities in Germany. She said the event is designed to give students and researchers a clear overview of Germany’s inclusive higher education system that actively supports international collaboration.

“DAAD firmly believes that Indonesian students and scholars, including those from UIN Jakarta, hold great potential to take part in these programs, expand their international networks, gain broader perspectives, and unlock new opportunities for the future,” she said.

Presenting as one of the speakers, Dwi Novaldi outlined Germany’s academic landscape, its higher education framework, and DAAD’s scholarship offerings. He emphasized Germany’s long-standing tradition of excellence in science, technology, and innovation, which attracts more than 367,000 international students every year.

“The key reasons to study in Germany include world-class education at affordable costs, a practice-oriented learning approach linked to the job market, a safe and inclusive environment, an open-minded society, and extensive global career prospects,” he explained.

Regarding DAAD’s scholarship portfolio, Dwi explained that funding is available for Master’s, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral studies under a variety of schemes. These include German language courses (University Summer Courses), STEM scholarships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) focusing on development studies, Public Policy & Good Governance programs for emerging public sector leaders, In-Country/In-Region Scholarships across ASEAN, and specialized scholarships in the arts, design, music, and architecture. Research opportunities include both regular and binational PhD programs as well as short-term Research Grants in Germany.

Scholarship benefits cover monthly stipends (€992 for Master’s, €1,400 for PhD), health insurance, travel allowances, and family support. In addition to individual scholarships, DAAD also helps strengthen institutional capacity through programs such as DIES (Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies) and promotes collaboration via SDG Partnership initiatives and Double Degree programs.

The event wrapped up with an interactive Q&A session, during which participants enthusiastically asked about application procedures, scholarship requirements, and first-hand study experiences in Germany.

For context, DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), or the German Academic Exchange Service, is the world’s largest organization supporting international academic exchange. Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Bonn, Germany, DAAD has assisted more than 2.6 million students and researchers worldwide.

(Fathan Rangga I./Zaenal M./Fauziah M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham)