During the most recent meeting of the “International Relations” Committee at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, the 2026 DAAD Prize was awarded to Fatime Ali Abakar Adji from Chad, who is pursuing a degree in business administration in Schmalkalden. She was awarded the prize in recognition of her outstanding academic achievements and her commitment to various extracurricular university activities. For example, Fatime Ali Abakar Adji is a member of the international choir, treasurer of the student initiative SASA, and a supporter of the 51st FaDaF Annual Conference.
For 30 years now, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has been awarding this prize—funded by the Federal Foreign Office—to outstanding international students at German universities. The award honors these students for their excellent academic achievements as well as their remarkable social or intercultural engagement. Above all, however, the prize is intended to raise awareness of the contributions made by international students.