Witten/Herdecke University DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Prize goes to Courage Bakasa in 2022

This year's German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) prize goes to Courage Bakasa, who is in his fifth semester of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H). The prize, which is endowed with 700 euros and has been awarded for more than ten years, is intended to help give international students at German universities faces and connect them with stories. Courage Bakasa comes from Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

In his speech, Prof. Dr Joachim Zweynert, Head of the PPE degree programme, highlighted Bakasa's outstanding academic achievements and his involvement in student self-administration. In addition, he is also committed to helping refugees: "Courage Bakasa combines academic studies and social commitment in a very unique way. His work in Zimbabwe awakened in him the desire to study PPE here in Witten. And his social commitment in Germany helped him to find a place for himself here." Bakasa lives in the "Abuna-Frans-Haus" in Essen with Jesuit mentors and young refugees. Here he helps formerly unaccompanied young refugees who have to leave the supervised youth centres when they come of age. For them, the Abuna-Frans-Haus can be a transition point to help them organise the next steps towards an independent life. "I'm a foreigner in Germany myself and about the same age as the refugees, which makes it easier to talk to them. I can help with the authorities and explain how to get a driving licence, for example," says Bakasa.

After completing his doctoral studies in Germany, he would like to continue his work in Africa

Courage Bakasa is currently writing his master's thesis and would then also like to do his doctoral studies (PhD) at UW/H. "This will give me every opportunity to work in research, in social institutions or in an NGO in southern Africa," he says, looking forward to his future career. There are still many hurdles to overcome in southern Africa in order to develop politics and the economy in the direction of more human rights and participation.

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Prize makes it clear that every international student takes a piece of Germany back home with them and leaves something of themselves in Germany - an enrichment for both sides. The students are representative of their fellow students from all over the world. They are future partners for Germany in business, politics and science.