DAAD Prize of Witten/Herdecke University goes to Courage Bakasa in 2022.
The master's student, who comes from Zimbabwe, was recognized for his outstanding academic achievements and his commitment to refugees.
This year's German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) award goes to Courage Bakasa, a fifth-semester Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) student at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H). The 700-euro prize, which has been awarded for more than ten years, is intended to help put faces to international students at German universities 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 program, highlighted Bakasa's outstanding academic achievements and his involvement in student self-governance. 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 significantly in finding a place for himself here." Bakasa lives in the "Abuna Frans House" in Essen with Jesuit mentors and young refugees. Here he helps formerly unaccompanied young refugees who have to leave supervised youth facilities when they reach the age of majority. For them, the Abuna Frans House can be a transition to organize the next steps into an independent life. "I'm a stranger in Germany myself and about the same age as the refugees, which makes it easier to talk to them. I can help with authorities and explain how to get a driver's license, for example," says Bakasa.
After completing a doctorate 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 doctorate (PhD) at UW/H. "This will give me every opportunity later in southern Africa to work in research, in social institutions or in an NGO," he says, looking forward to his future career. In southern Africa, he says, there are still many hurdles to overcome in order to develop politics and the economy in a direction toward more human rights and participation.
The DAAD 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 represent their fellow students from all over the world. They are future partners for Germany in business, politics and science.