Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is to host the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s funding programme for the international leaders of tomorrow
Dr Alexandra Borisova, editor-in-chief of the science channel at the Russian news agency TASS, has been awarded one of the prestigious Federal Chancellor’s Fellowships from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to conduct research at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences into the relationship between science and society in Russia.
Dr Borisova’s research represents the first substantial study in this field worldwide. From October this year, the chemist, who holds a PhD, will be supervised by Alexander Gerber, Professor of Science Communication and Head of the ‘Science Communication & Bionics’ Bachelor’s programme at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics.
“I am delighted to be able to contribute the professional experience I gained in Russia as a researcher, science journalist and science communicator to Prof. Gerber’s team of experts. I am confident that, together, we will expand our expertise in this field and thus put Russia on the agenda of European science communication by developing strategies that pave the way for Russian science to engage in fruitful international collaboration”, said Dr Alexandra Borisova, expressing her delight at being awarded the scholarship and looking forward to future collaboration with Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
With regard to the public communication of science and technology in Russia, Prof. Gerber has personally witnessed this spirit of optimism on the ground on several occasions and is, amongst other things, supporting the establishment of Russia’s first degree programme in science communication: “The role of academia in Russian society is undoubtedly a highly sensitive issue, even politically, particularly when it comes to matters such as academic freedom and freedom of the press. Our joint research with Dr Borisova will, in many respects, break new ground in this area and has the potential to bring about lasting change to the research policy landscape in Russia.”
A few days ago, Prof. Gerber, who was recently elected to the Executive Board of the World Federation for Science Communication (PCST), also welcomed three visiting researchers from China and a new Mexican PhD student to Kleve. In mid-July, over 50 international participants came to Kleve for a Science Communication Summer School: “It is fascinating to see how our university’s unique international profile attracts so many international experts from all over the world to the beautiful Lower Rhine region. In research and teaching, this enables us to adopt a uniquely comparative, cross-system and transcultural perspective within our department.”
Through the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Federal Chancellor’s Fellowship for Future Leaders, up to 50 highly talented young leaders from Brazil, China, India, Russia and the USA are given the opportunity to spend a year in Germany and carry out a project of their own choosing together with German hosts.
The programme, which operates under the patronage of the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, aims in particular to provide highly qualified young people from these countries with opportunities to experience first-hand the importance of friendly relations between their home country and Germany, based on personal experiences and contacts. Each year, the scholarship holders are given the opportunity to carry out a project of their choice at a German host institution and, through joint programme events, to gain an in-depth understanding of the current social, political, cultural, economic and historical conditions in Germany.
“Two visiting scholars and Humboldt scholars, Prof. Dr Kamal El-Siddig (Sudan) and Dr Romaric Vihotogbé (Benin), are already conducting research at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences,” says Prof. Dr habil. Jens Gebauer, Humboldt Representative at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences and Vice-President for Research and Knowledge Transfer. “I am delighted that we will soon also be able to welcome Dr Alexandra Borisova as a Humboldt Fellow.”
