Strengthening universities and higher education systems in developing countries

student working in the laboratory

The DAAD helps strengthen universities and higher education systems in countries of the Global South by funding cooperation projects and partnerships. The DAAD's portfolio ranges from supporting the development of up-to-date practice-oriented study programmes to fostering the establishment of globally linked academic centres of excellence for the implementation of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The DAAD has been supporting projects carried out by universities in Germany with their partners in countries of the Global South since more than 20 years. The funding focuses on the sustainable strengthening of structures at the partner university in teaching and research as well as in university and science management. The range of topics is broad and interdisciplinary approaches are particularly in demand.

effective education institutions

In addition to the cooperation projects, we promote the quality of higher education management in countries of the Global South through, among other things, professional conferences and specially developed training courses for managers in the higher education sector. Through transnational projects, we support higher education associations in improving the quality and practical relevance of study programmes.

Moreover, we fund centres of excellence at German universities that work closely with international partners to conduct research and provide teaching on the SDGs.

DAAD programmes help to modernise teaching at higher education institutions in the Global South and adapt it to the requirements of the labour market. They contribute to professionalise university administration, develop a joint understanding of quality and relevance in higher education, and to improve the training of university lecturers. They also increase academic mobility and facilitate the mutual recognition of academic achievements and degrees.

The funded projects support the establishment of professional networks on development-relevant topics. The aim is to improve the quality of research at all participating partner institutions and thus also to make better use of the potential of universities in developing countries for sustainable development.
 

Further information

DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst - German Academic Exchange Service