Dr. Denise Margaret Matias, Philippines
Professor in Ecosystem-based Transformation Management in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Germany
The DAAD EPOS scholarship and the doctoral degree from ZEF Bonn have greatly impacted my career development. With the scholarship, I not only received education but I also gained access to a broad network of researchers focusing on development work, especially in Asia and Africa. I am a member of the selection committee of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation International Climate Protection Scholarship. Germany stands to lose a lot in attracting great minds from all over the world if the DAAD EPOS scholarship is cancelled. We need to attract brilliant scholars to Germany, and BMZ can contribute to this and at the same time fulfil Germany’s Official Development Assistance obligations through the DAAD EPOS funding.”
Graduation: 2017 from the University of Bonn.
In what ways have the DAAD scholarship and your doctoral degree impacted your career?
The DAAD scholarship and the doctoral degree from ZEF Bonn have greatly impacted my career development. With the scholarship, I not only received education from one of the best (if not the best) development-oriented studies in Germany but I also gained access to a broad network of researchers focusing on development work especially in Asia and Africa. My doctoral studies broadened my perspective as well as opportunities to collaborate.
What cooperation and development initiatives did you start or strengthen in your country or institution?
I conducted research in the Philippines on a species that has a South- and Southeast Asian region-wide impact. Therefore, the doctoral scholarship had a wide-reaching impact beyond myself as a citizen of the Philippines.
Which collaboration do you maintain with German institutions and/or with the University of Bonn?
I am now a tenured professor at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development and an affiliate researcher of ZEF Bonn. I am also a member of the selection committee of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation International Climate Protection Scholarship.
What would we lose if the DAAD EPOS scholarship were canceled? How would the Global South, North, and West be affected?
Germany stands to lose a lot in attracting great minds from all over the world if the DAAD EPOS scholarship is cancelled. The recent Global Minds Initiative of Germany by the BMFTR shows the need to attract brilliant scholars to Germany and BMZ can contribute to this and at the same time fulfilling Germany’s ODA obligations through the DAAD EPOS. I hope they do not push through with the funding cut.