BONN, Germany, Oct., 15 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Germany is a very popular place to study -- in 2008 almost 70,000 foreign nationals came to the Federal Republic to study and conduct research. One in ten of these is Chinese, meaning that China is the origin of the largest group of international students in Germany. In order to maintain and further improve the quality of tutoring and hospitality, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) jointly drew up a "national code for the study stay of foreign nationals at German universities," which defines general guidelines and thereby delineates joint minimum standards for the fields of information, advertising, accreditation, tutoring and subsequent assistance. The guiding principle is to grant international students the same rights as German students and moreover to provide the assistance that they, being foreign guests, specifically require.
Until now, 113 German universities have committed themselves to this and their study programmes exceed minimum standards. They declare to inform applicants about their syllabus and funding opportunities and to assist students in everyday student life and matters such as looking for accommodation. In order to overcome linguistic barriers, they offer students introduction seminars and German language courses or are at least able to point out courses to them. They guarantee that qualifications obtained in the country of origin are recognised and that international students are assisted throughout their study in Germany. Students are given the possibility to file a complaint with an independent body in case they are dissatisfied with the assistance of the host university.
HRK and DAAD hope that the code strengthens the international competitiveness of Germany in the higher education market and that high potentials from all over the world will enrich German higher education.
More detailed information concerning German institutions of higher education and studying in Germany is available at the China Education Expo (CEE) on 16/17 October in Beijing, in Dalian on 19 October, in Xi'an on 21 October and in Shanghai on 23/24 October 2010 at the German Pavilion, where representatives from more than 30 German universities will offer individual counselling. For more information visit: http://www.daad.org.cn/cee2010
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Josef Goldberger
E-mail: marketing@daad.org.cn
Tel.: +49-10-6590-6656, -6676
Fax: +49-10-6590-6393
DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service
Unit 1718, Landmark Tower 2
8 North Dongsanhuan Road
Chaoyang District
100004 Beijing
Homepage DAAD Beijing: http://www.daad.org.cn
Homepage DAAD Head Office: http://www.daad.de
