Every year, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences presents the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Award for outstanding academic achievement and social commitment. This year, the award goes to Bachelor’s student Joy Okundia. She has impressed the jury with her excellent academic performance and her commitment to fellow students and the academic community.
The outstanding coursework and project work that Joy Okundia has produced whilst studying for a degree in ‘International Business Administration’ at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is not simply gathering dust at the back of a cupboard: the student from Nigeria shares her findings online. She makes her work available on so-called open-source platforms and also shares the information on social media – a valuable contribution to the academic community. Furthermore, through the ‘Pan African Organisation’, she supports other students who have recently arrived in Germany to study. At “United Nations Women”, she campaigns for equality and against discrimination, organises events and supports the organisation’s social media activities.
Prof. Dr Daniel Scheible nominated Okundia for the prize, which is worth 1,000 euros, and is delighted that his student was chosen. Okundia has realised her full potential throughout her studies and has shown particular commitment, even during the online semesters brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Her outstanding commitment has impressed everyone across the board, according to Prof. Dr Tatiana Zimenkova, Vice-President for International Affairs and Diversity. She ‘presented’ the student with the certificate earlier this week during a virtual ceremony. “We are very proud and happy to have students like you at our university.”
The student was visibly moved by the award. “It’s like a dream come true,” said the award winner. She expressed her gratitude for the reliable support she had received from her university throughout her studies, particularly from her fellow students, her lecturers and the student advisory service. She said the award had given her a sense of encouragement and that she now wanted to pass this inspiration on to other students.
