HNEE Deutschlandstipendien ceremonially handed over
41 scholarships - 13 sponsors support committed students

On 27 March 2025, 41 students at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) received the Deutschlandstipendium - a recognition of their outstanding academic and voluntary achievements. The award ceremony took place in the presence of the sponsors and members of the university.

A total of 128 students applied for the coveted scholarship. University President Prof. Dr Matthias Barth presented the certificates and emphasised the importance of the funding: "The Deutschlandstipendium supports committed students who are not only involved academically, but also socially. Their commitment is an important contribution to our university and beyond." The scholarship holders and sponsors then had the opportunity to exchange ideas.

The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship supports high-achieving and committed students of all nationalities on Bachelor's and Master's study programmes with 300 euros per month - funded in equal parts by private sponsors and the state. In addition to financial support, the programme provides valuable networking opportunities. HNEE has been involved in the initiative since 2011. This year's scholarship holders include eight international students from Colombia, Belgium, Great Britain, Iran, the USA, Hong Kong, Canada and Brazil.

Long-standing support from strong partners
Several sponsors have been involved for many years, including GLG mbH, the East German Savings Banks Association, the engineering firm Ralf Dieme, Ursula and Günther Deininger and the Science Foundation of Sparkasse Barnim.

Wolfram Morales, Deputy Press Spokesman of the East German Savings Banks Association, emphasises: "The commitment to economic, social, cultural and sporting development as well as to social projects, education and science is firmly anchored in the DNA of the savings banks. Since 2012, we have been supporting five German scholarships at HNEE every year and have already been able to accompany 70 talented students on their way. We would like to encourage other private players to support young talent beyond state education funding. Investing in education ensures long-term prosperity, stable social systems and a productive future."

Ferdinand Fröhlich is a Master's student on the Sustainable Business Management degree programme and is one of the scholarship holders supported by the East German Savings Banks Association: "The Germany Scholarship gives me the freedom to work intensively on my Master's thesis during the final phase of my Master's degree course. The thematically appropriate sponsor and the opportunity to exchange ideas make this support particularly valuable."

Bettina Friedli, a student on the "Strategic Sustainability Management" Master's study programme, is also delighted with the funding: "The Deutschlandstipendium makes it easier for me to pursue my part-time studies with full concentration. It opens up new perspectives for my professional reorientation and offers more than just financial support - it is a motivation and opportunity to network with committed students and sponsors."

By sponsoring the Deutschlandstipendium, the Sparkassenstiftung zur Förderung der Wissenschaft im Landkreis Barnim (Science Foundation) is also sending out a clear signal in favour of supporting young talent. "The Science Foundation of Sparkasse Barnim has been sponsoring the Deutschlandstipendium at HNEE for many years. We see this support as a valuable investment in talent that epitomises our foundation's purpose and strengthens the close cooperation between HNEE and the Sparkasse. As a credit institution, we benefit from new impulses, specialist knowledge and direct exchange with committed students," explains Volkmar Grätsch, Chairman of the Management Board of Sparkasse Barnim and Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Science Foundation.

Alena Neumann, a Master's student on the "Sustainable Regional Development: Education - Management - Nature Conservation" degree programme and one of four scholarship holders supported by the Science Foundation, emphasises: "The scholarship allows me to focus fully on my studies and my voluntary work. This has enabled me to improve my academic performance and become even more involved in the university community."

Vivian Chan, a Bachelor's student on the International Forest Ecosystem Management degree programme, is grateful for the support provided by the Deutschlandstipendium. She emphasises that it allows her to focus entirely on her studies without financial worries. It also gives her the freedom to become more involved in volunteer projects - such as mapping fungus in Berlin-Brandenburg and various non-profit initiatives related to nature and community.

Sponsors of the Deutschlandstipendium at HNEE
In addition to the Eberswalder Hochschulgesellschaft e. V., the following institutions and private individuals are also involved: CoCo Real GmbH, GLG Gesellschaft für Leben und Gesundheit mbH, IHK Ostbrandenburg, Ostdeutscher Sparkassenverband, Ingenieurbüro Ralf Dieme, Johannes-Schubert-Stiftung, Dr Steffen Richter, Stiftung "Natur im Norden"/ Hildrun und Ruprecht Müller Fonds, Ursula und Günther Deininger, Wissenschaftsstiftung der Sparkasse Barnim, Stiftung Zukunft Jetzt! and the Reinhard und Monika Kampmann-Stiftung.

Interested students can apply for the next funding round of the Deutschlandstipendium at HNEE from mid-November 2025.

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