On August 31, 2026, the DAAD conference "German Studies in Network—Challenges and Future Prospects" officially opened at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Experts from Germany and partner nations in Sub-Saharan Africa met at the University of Nairobi to explore the future of German studies and German as a foreign language.
The German Ambassador to Kenya, Hon. Sebastian Groth; an official from the Division for German Schools Abroad and German as a Foreign Language at the Federal Foreign Office; Ms. Siyana Dimitrova, the Head of the Strategy and Management Division at DAAD Bonn, Ms. Nina Salden; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Human Resource and Administration, Prof. Leonida Kerubo, representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, the DAAD Nairobi Regional Office Director, Dr. Dorothee Weyler; and other dignitaries were present at the opening ceremony.
Following the ceremonial opening, Dr. Kokou Azamede of the University of Lomé, Togo, delivered a plenary talk on "German Studies—An Interdisciplinary Field of Research in the Service of Societies." After that, a gallery walk, combined with networking, provided insights into the various countries and academic backgrounds.
The DAAD-organised and funded conference will last five days, from August 31 to September 4, 2026, and will provide opportunities for exchange, networking, and fresh insights.
We thank all participants for their enthusiastic participation and engagement!
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