On 28 November, the DCZ hosted an online webinar on Sino-German academic exchange in agricultural sciences for postgraduate students. Moderated by DCZ Managing Director Michaela Boehme, the webinar consisted of two sessions: one for Chinese students and scholars, and another for German students and scholars.
In the first session, Ahmatjan Rouzi from DCZ provided an overview of Germany’s education system, graduate studies, and research landscape. He explained the differences between structured graduate programs and contract-based PhD positions, and noted that students may choose between German- or English-taught programs depending on availability and language skills. He also outlined key funding opportunities for study and research.
Ole Engelhardt, Head of the China Office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and his colleague REN Jie introduced DAAD’s funding mechanisms for Chinese students and scholars across different types of exchange activities.
Torsten Müller from the University of Hohenheim presented the university’s graduate and research programs and explained the application process. He highlighted Hohenheim’s long-standing cooperation with Chinese universities and institutions, including a joint dual-degree program and Sino-German research training group AMAIZE-P with China Agricultural University.
Zhanli “Jerry” Sun, Senior Researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), introduced research opportunities at Germany’s non-university research institutes. He outlined the roles of major organizations such as the Max Planck Society, the Leibniz Association, the Helmholtz Association, and the Fraunhofer Society, and discussed typical pathways into these institutions. He emphasized the importance of language skills, project experience, and academic networking, and presented both German and Chinese funding options.
REN Yanjun from Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University shared insights based on his PhD and postdoctoral studies in Germany. He described the application system, the research environment for agricultural science students, and briefly discussed global university rankings.
Watch recording of session 1
The second session introduced opportunities for German and other international students interested in agricultural science in China. QIN Yilei from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) presented major graduate programs and research positions available to international applicants and outlined basic application requirements and funding options.
PhD candidate Edwin Mumah from Kenya, currently studying at the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development at CAAS, described his experience applying to, studying, and conducting research in China. He also shared impressions of campus life, extracurricular activities, and daily life outside the university.
Watch recording of session 2
Participants raised a number of practical questions related to their study and research interests. The webinar offered a useful platform for Chinese and German scholars to better understand each other’s academic and research landscapes in agricultural sciences and to explore opportunities for exchange, study, and future collaboration.
