Ashraf AboArafe
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, marking a century as one of the world’s leading institutions supporting academic and research exchange. The celebration took place at the DAAD Regional Office in Cairo, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of DAAD’s presence in Egypt.
The event was honored by the presence of Professor Joipratto Mukherjee, President of DAAD, on his first official visit to Egypt, alongside Andreas Fiedler, Deputy German Ambassador to Cairo, Vibeka Bachmann, Director of DAAD Cairo, and representatives from Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The celebration brought together partners from academia, culture, and politics, featuring discussions on the pillars of successful Egyptian–German cooperation in universities, highlighting ways to further strengthen research and academic ties. During his visit, the DAAD President will also tour several Egyptian–German projects in higher education, symbolizing the ongoing exchange of knowledge and expertise.
Since its founding in 1925, DAAD has supported nearly three million students and researchers worldwide, including 1.8 million from Germany and 1.3 million from abroad. In Egypt, its office has offered guidance, scholarships, academic collaboration programs, and free workshops for aspiring researchers since 1960, serving as the central hub for academic exchange between the two countries. 
This year’s celebration carries the theme: “United by Knowledge and Learning”, a testament that a century of DAAD’s work is not just history, but a bridge shaping the future.
