Successful student exchange in TOFI project

As part of the DAAD-funded ‘Take-Off4Internationalisation - TOFI’ project, it was possible to support a total of six outgoing and incoming students from H-BRS and its project partners in 2024. In addition to semester stays, scholarships were also available for internships and final theses. The International Office and the project coordinators are particularly pleased that the scholarships were used for all available non-European project partners and that a wide range of projects could be supported.

German Jordanian University (GJU) - Jordan

While incoming students from GJU were able to benefit from a scholarship in 2023, two students from H-BRS received funding for a stay at GJU in 2024.

In the summer semester of 2024, the scholarship enabled a computer science student to spend three weeks conducting a research study on cultural differences in the perception of emotions in virtual reality (VR). In the winter semester 2024/25, a student from the Department of Engineering and Communication received a scholarship for a semester at GJU.

‘In addition, I was able to acquire knowledge that will be of great benefit to me in the upcoming modules at H-BRS. The insight into other subject areas, such as computer science, proved to be particularly valuable for me. I was pleasantly surprised by the dialogue with lecturers and fellow students, as they allow for very personal and direct communication while maintaining their authority and professionalism.’

- H-BRS TOFI scholarship holder (Outgoing B.Eng. Electrical Engineering)

University of Cape Coast (UCC) - Ghana

At the beginning of the year, the scholarship enabled an H-BRS M.Sc. Marketing student to write his thesis at UCC. There, he received support from UCC lecturers to collect and analyse the data for his thesis on site. In the winter semester 2024/25, a UCC student used the scholarship to complete her semester abroad at H-BRS. She particularly appreciated the strong practical relevance of the teaching.

"Lectures were engaging, with a strong focus on practical learning through group work and presentations. [...] One of the highlights of my academic experience was visiting companies and working on real-life business cases; it was an incredible feeling to contribute to a company’s success."

- UCC TOFI scholarship holder (Incoming B.A. International Business)

Universidad Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR) – Brazil

As in the previous year, the exchange with the UTFPR focussed on promoting internships. In 2024, an H-BRS student from the Department of Management Sciences was given the opportunity to complete a three-week internship at the UTFPR. At the same time, a UTFPR student was welcomed to H-BRS for a five-month internship in the Department of Engineering and Communication.

"The impression I gained from my experience abroad is that we waste our time by not stepping out of our comfort zone and that the diversity of cultures expand our intellectual capacity of critical thinking, for my studies it has opened a whole new frontier of scientific approach to problems."

UTFPR TOFI Stipendiat (Incoming, B.Eng. Sustainable Engineering)

Institute of Finance Management (IFM) – Tansania

The last scholarship enabled a Bachelor's student of Sustainable Social Policy to spend a semester at the IFM in Tanzania.

The International Office is pleased that both incoming and outgoing students have participated in various forms of stays abroad at the project partners as part of the TOFI project (2023-2024).

Students who are interested in a semester or an internship abroad are welcome to contact the International Office for advice on funding opportunities and couselling.