DAAD Prize 2024
DAAD Prize 2024 awarded to Marta Wiktoria Gontarz
22.10.24
Outstanding international students honored at EUF
Dr. Isabella Tegethoff presents this year’s DAAD Prize to Marta Wiktoria Gontarz.
Europa-Universität Flensburg (EUF) has awarded Marta Wiktoria Gontarz the prestigious DAAD Prize 2024. The DAAD Prize is awarded annually to international students for outstanding academic achievements and remarkable social commitment. Gontarz, who recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in “European Cultures and Society,” impressed the jury with her exceptional academic success and her active engagement in the student community.
“It is a great pleasure to honor Marta for her exceptional achievements,” said Dr. Isabella Tegethoff, Advisor for Europe and International Affairs, who presented the renowned prize to Gontarz during the Intercultural and Diversity Day. “She is not only an outstanding student but also an inspiring personality who enriches the university and society through her commitment.”
Marta Wiktoria Gontarz began her studies at EUF in 2020 under the challenging conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties, she took on responsibility early on and organized virtual meetings to foster cohesion within her cohort. After arriving in Flensburg, she engaged in various student committees, including the student council of her program and the Local Erasmus Initiative (LEI), where she recently assumed the chairmanship. Her student contribution to the internationalization of the university was especially praised by Tegethoff in her laudation. Gontarz not only represented her Bachelor’s program in online formats for partner universities but also enthused others with a Polish information booth during Europe Week 2023 and her engagement in LEI to motivate students for possible study abroad opportunities. “It is remarkable that Ms. Gontarz engaged so intensively in her activities and at the same time was able to complete her studies successfully with excellent grades,” said Tegethoff.
Asked how she manages her many activities, Marta Wiktoria Gontarz simply says, “I just do it!” She enjoys working with people, helping people. That motivates her. Incidentally, Gontarz will continue her academic career at EUF as she has enrolled in the Master’s program “Language – Culture – Media.”
About the DAAD Prize
The DAAD Prize has been awarded for over ten years to international students at German universities. The prize is intended to highlight the special commitment of students who excel not only academically but also through their contribution to the common good.
DAAD Prize 2023
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Glassmann, Vice President for Europe & International Affairs, presents Sarah Chaumot with the DAAD Prize for the most outstanding international student of 2023.
Sarah Chaumont, from France, recipient of the prestigious DAAD Prize for the most outstanding international student, stands out not only for her academic achievements but also for her tireless commitment to society.
Sarah is an active member of the European Studies student council, where she not only contributes her knowledge but also drives the organization of formal and informal events that enrich campus life for her fellow students.
In her role on the council, Sarah skillfully manages the allocation of resources and ensures that student initiatives receive the support they need to thrive. Beyond the boundaries of her university, Sarah is a dynamic young ambassador of the Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW/OFAJ), effectively representing her institution at various high-profile events in both France and Germany.
Her commitment also extends to important collaborations, such as her participation in the Franco-German Future Dialogue and her integral role in the organizing team of the Franco-German Youth Congress, where her contributions have been crucial in promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Furthermore, Sarah supports international students by helping them settle into their new life in Flensburg, offering both guidance and practical assistance. Her dedication to improving the student experience and fostering international cooperation distinguishes her as an exemplary leader and global citizen.
DAAD Preis 2022
The awarding of the DAAD Prize is based on a number of outstanding achievements:
As a TANDEM volunteer Basar Saga Doganci, he has actively contributed to the promotion of cooperation and solidarity between Turkish citizens in Europe and European citizens in Turkey, leading to better intercultural understanding and dialog.
His involvement in BridgeEurope e.V. since September 2021 shows his striving for constructive, solution-oriented and ideology-free discourse. By organizing events and writing articles for BridgeEurope's online chapter, he has created a space that brings together people from diverse geographical and ideological backgrounds.
As a member of the M.A. European Studies student council at Europa-Universität Flensburg, he has helped to ensure that students' voices are heard, improving program quality and facilitating communication between students.
His voluntary internship with the Lausanne Project has helped to disseminate new research on relations between the Middle East and the rest of the world during the interwar period and to reflect on the legacy of Lausanne.
As a volunteer at the Model UN Flensburg, he has helped to promote academic and diplomatic activities among students.
In addition, he has taken online courses in R programming and statistics.
His work as a student assistant at the European University of Flensburg demonstrates his commitment to academic research and contribution to projects in the field of EU free movement policy.
Overall, his diverse engagements and contributions reflect his outstanding commitment to academic excellence, intercultural understanding and community service and make him a worthy recipient of the DAAD award.
DAAD Prize 2021
Matic Germovšek Žnidaršič, a graduate of the Bachelor's degree program European Cultures and Society from Slovenia, was awarded the prestigious DAAD prize for the following reasons:
His many years of involvement in the working group of Slavic minorities within FUEN, in which he held various positions, testify to his tireless commitment to the concerns and rights of minorities.
As a member of the Council of Europe's Youth Advisory Council, he has actively contributed to shaping youth-related political decisions and measures at European level.
In his role as President of the Youth of European Nationalities, he has led significant initiatives to promote intercultural dialog and cooperation between different ethnic groups.
His involvement as a board member of KSŠŠD (Klub slovenskih študentk in študentov na Dunaju) is testament to his commitment to the Slovenian student community in Vienna.
As a member of the EUCS examination board, he has helped to maintain the quality and integrity of the degree program.
His semester abroad in Palestine in 2020 was marked by an outstanding project entitled "Analog Palestinian Stories: Exploring Analog Photography and Emotions", which underlines his interest in intercultural exchange and creative expression.
His involvement as a trainer in non-formal education and youth work, as well as running workshops with young people, reflects his desire to empower and inspire young people.
With an outstanding grade point average of 1.4 with 150 ECTS, he has not only demonstrated academic excellence, but has also proven his ability to organize and manage time effectively.