Alumni Portraits

Anastasija Stevchevska is in her final year of General Medicine at the Medical Faculty of Skopje. In February 2023 she spent one month at the Medical University Graz as a CEEPUS scholarship holder. 

"I am very grateful for this experience and the impact it made on me.This scholarship played a crucial role in my medical education, and because of it, I am looking forward to my future career with much more confidence."

Ruiwen Chen is a Lecturer at the Ming Hua Theological College at Charles Sturt University in Hong Kong. She spent one month in Austria to research at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien. 

"Many inspirations were born from the sound of the music in the Wiener Musikverein, from walks in the Vienna woods, and from interactions with Vienna people. I am full of emotions for this university and city."

Fjolla Neziri is a student at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Geography at the University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina". She spent three months in Austria with a CEEPUS scholarship.

Within an international research group (Czechia, Austria, USA), Jan Valošek works on improving of diagnosis and clinical management of patients with degenerative cervical spinal cord compression using advanced quantitative MRI techniques.

"Vienna remains a place of unlimited scientific and cultural possibilities for me, a place where you can never get bored and always find new things to discover and learn."

Student of the last year, Veterinary Medicine, University of Prishtina 'Hasan Prishtina'

"I will always appreciate the welcoming and the warm atmosphere here in Vienna. This will definitely impact my career as a young ambitious veterinarian."

Assistant Professor Institute of International Relations and European Studies, Facutly of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava

"Such intercultural exchanges as my research stay undoubtedly contribute to greater cultural openness in the respective countries."

Senior Lecturer and Head of Department for Kiswahili and African languages, Kenyatta University, Nairobi

"Indeed my stay in Austria came with life transforming experiences both in academic and cultural interactions. The blending of people encountered during the learning time induced the critical paradigm of team work, respect for others and displine."

Research and Teaching Assistant for Human Rights and State Theory at the Akdeniz University in Antalya

"It was pleasant to be able to do research with people from different countries in a scholarly circle with whom I could gain experiences and share my story as a young academician."

Associate Professor, Tribhuwan University and Executive Director of the NGO “The Resource Nepal”

"My stay and studies in Austria were a stepping stone for me that broadened my academic and research career."

Doctoral Student at the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary

"I am grateful to the OEAD for this excellent opportunity to promote my academic development and personal growth, while also having time for enjoying Vienna!"

Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy at PHENIKAA University and Researcher at the PHENIKAA Research and Technology Institute (PRATI) in Hanoi, Vietnam

"Until today I really appreciate that I had the opportunity to conduct my doctoral thesis in Austria with the great support from the Ernst Mach Grant ASEA-UNINET. This is such a precious chance for South-East-Asian students to pursue their academic career in Austria."

Post-Doc at the Department of Philosophy of the University of Tübingen, Germany

"The OeAD Scholarship has been so fruitful that I warmly suggest everyone to apply for one."

Assistant Professor of Genetics at the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

"The experiences made during my scholarship were really life changing for me. They fuelled my scientific improvement as well as my personal growth and development."

Muhammad Umer Saleem, Pakistan

Director of Student Affairs and Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan

"My stay in Austria has been a game changer in my life – speaking not only of my personal, but also of my professional development."

Jigme Thinley, Bhutan

Lecturer at the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, in Punakha, Bhutan

"The scholarship support has given me the opportunity to develop on a personal and professional level."

Kevin Odhiambo Obiero, Kenya

Centre Director of the Sangoro Aquaculture Station at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)

"The APPEAR scholarship boosted my self-confidence and reinforced my power of resilience, knowing that I not only completed a very important task within the scheduled time."

Wilson Sostern Kaumbata, Malawi

Lecturer and researcher at the Department of Animal Sciences, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi

"My PhD studies in Austria have been an eye-opener. During this period I have acquired knowledge that will have a lasting impact on my career and my work."

Yasir Yilmaz, Czech Republic

Assistant Professor of History, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic

"In fact, for someone involved in historical research, Vienna is heaven. The archives and libraries of this city are incredibly rich, they are easy to access and use, and – most importantly – they are perfectly organised."

Kesang Wangchuk, Bhutan

Principal Research Officer, Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Thimphu, Bhutan

"The scholarship made me competent as a researcher. I became more confident, I was able to make meaningful decisions in life and I could provide good advice to my colleagues in my country."

Albert Soudré, Burkina Faso

Associate Professor at the Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Norbert Zongo University of Koudougou, Burkina Faso

"The fruits of my stay in Austria continue to ripen and my entire country continues to harvest them."

Ronald Luwangula, Uganda

Lecturer, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Makerere University in Uganda

"As a social work educator and child protection trainer, my study in Austria left a big mark on my approach to teaching and respect for my students or trainees. "

Dharam Raj Uprety, Nepal

Programme Manager for Climate Change and Disaster Management at the International non-government organisation Helvetas

"The country Austria is the foundation stone for my career path. All those success stories of my professional life where I stand now, and that I passed after completing of my Ph.D. are the outcomes of my higher education in Austria."

Velky Ahumada, Colombia

PhD student at the Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena

"This experience changed my life, allowed me to realize that it is always possible to learn more and meet new people from many different cultures."

Omer Suljevic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Medical student at the Medical Faculty, University of Sarajevo

"While being in Austria, I had the opportunity to work using new medical treatment methods which will be useful for my further research papers and my practical work."

Larysa Ivashko, Ukraine

Bachelor student at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

"I hope to visit this amazing country again and I am grateful to OeAD for giving me this chance!"

Tanushree Gupta, India

Staff member at the Institute of Conservation, University of Applied Arts Vienna

"These internships have not only had a major influence on my research work, but have also provided the opportunity to experience the grandeur of Austria."

Randa Natras, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ph.D. programme at the Faculty of Aerospace and Geodesy of the Technical University of Munich, Germany

"Many new scientific ideas have been born during my stay in Austria."

Marjana Vaneva, Macedonia

Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, University American College Skopje, R. Macedonia

"I hope this teaching assignment and short research stay of mine would mark the beginning of the professional collaboration between the University American College Skopje and the University of Graz."

Raymond Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso

Researcher at the Institute for Environment and Agricultural Research in Ouagadougou

"My education in Austria was the most fruitful in terms of impacts but the previous stays in Europe also contributed."

Basanta Raj Adhikari, Nepal

Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University

"The Austrian education system has influenced me a lot and I am trying to replicate it in my academic and professional life."

Lewis M. Sitoki, Kenya

Senior Lecturer at the Department of Geo-Sciences and the Environment, The Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi

"My stay in Austria came with it life transforming experiences both in academic and cultural interactions."

Olha Tikhonova, Portugal

PhD student at Lisbon School of Architecture

"During my stay, I was able to visit some cities in Austria and absorb the spirit of the country, its heritage and history."

Alfred Attah, Nigeria

Lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State

"My scholarship stay in Vienna has enabled me to better appreciate the beauty and strength in cultural diversity as obtained in an environment like Vienna."

George Cupcea, Romania

Deputy Director, National Museum for Transylvania’s History, Cluj-Napoca

"I felt always welcome and I will always be eager to return, for either work or leisure."

Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailović, Serbia

Professor at the Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Niš

"The time I spent in Salzburg on the Free Teacher Mover programme refreshed me in an intellectual sense and gave me a hint to continue to change my curriculum to the better."

Daša Ličen, Slovenia

Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

"My Viennese experience will remain to be an influential part on my academic path [...]"

Daša Ličen, Slovenia

Mansour Attallah, Egypt

University Assistant professor at the Faculty of Physical Education, Alexandria University

" I am looking forward to using my experience in projects to serve my community and raise the efficiency of the human performance."

Bogdan Miroschnitschenko, Ukraine (portrait in German)

Ingenieur in Elektromechanik

"Während meines Aufenthalts habe ich an vielen interessanten Veranstaltungen, die vom OeAD-Team und Erasmus-Team in Graz organisiert wurden, teilgenommen."

Elma Hot, Montenegro

Co-founder of BeeAnd.mee

"Thanks to my stay at TU Wien I found a motivation to continue my education with a PhD and to continue doing research in this field"

Nathan Marcus, Russia (portrait in German)

Assistant Professor of History at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg

"Mein Aufenthalt in Österreich war sowohl für meinen beruflichen Werdegang prägend, als auch persönlich sehr bereichernd."

Maryana Hirnyak, Ukraine

Associate Professor at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Department of Literary Theory and Comparative Studies

"I believe my participation as an OeAD scholarship holder was successful and productive for my scientific and academic activity."

Elijah Macharia Ndung'u, Kenya

Lecturer in Counseling Psychology, Social Work and Research Methods at St. Paul’s University-Nairobi in the Faculty of Social Sciences

"The scientific knowledge acquired during my studies in Austria was a big boost towards my career achievements and aspirations."

Zerfu Hailu, Ethiopia

Deputy team leader and senior land administration advisor for the project "Responsible and innovative Land Administration (REILA)" by the Government of Finland and the Government of Ethiopia

Dana Linkeschová, Czech Republic

University teacher, Brno University of Technology

"During my stay in Austria, I loved the numerous interesting meetings and the different excursions organised by the OeAD."

Maja Celeska , Macedonia

Teaching and Research Assistant, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University Skopje, Macedonia

"From the first day of my stay [...] at Graz University of Technology, I was faced with invaluable conditions and resources for work. I rediscovered my enthusiasm and gained new, higher horizons for my scientific work."

Ivana Krsmanovic, Serbia

Professor of applied studies, Technical College Čačak, Serbia

"The CEEPUS Teaching Staff Mobility grant allowed me to make connections with host institution teachers and collaborate with them on a many aspects of English learning and teaching processes."

Victor Kennedy, Slovenia

Professor at the University of Maribor, Faculty of Arts, Maribor

"I had a very pleasant and constructive stay in Graz, and was kindly given access to the library and the study materials at the Center for Inter-American Studies."

João Paulo de Melo Cardoso, Brazil

Electronic Engineering student at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba – Paraná

"I also had the opportunity to apply the theories we studied in the classroom and to learn from the exchange of knowledge and experiences with the other students (Austrians, as well as from different countries) and professors."

Sara de Jong, Netherlands

Research Fellow, The Open University, United Kingdom

"The OeAD Grant gave me the opportunity to return to conducting research at an academic institution, after working for some years outside academia."

Rahel Bekele Teklegiorgis, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa University

"With funding and support from APPEAR, [...] we hope to realize the potentials of ICT to positively impact the lives of rural women in Ethiopia."

Baraka Olivier Mushage, Democratic Republic of Congo

Lecturer and Researcher at Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs (ULPGL), Democratic Republic of Congo

"In addition to the scientific knowledge acquired during my stay in Austria, I was lucky to meet people from different places around the world [...], make friends and build special relationships."

Kamalika Datta, India

Assistant Professor, National Institute of Technology Meghalaya

"My stay in Austria has been very smooth, with the host institute taking all care and ensuring I had a suitable accommodation and office space to work. I am eagerly looking forward to my next visit (...)"

Peter Akoll, Uganda

Makerere University

"Associating with [my supervisors in Austria] helped me establish a broad and strong professional and social network globally."

Rosalie Arcala Hall, Philippines

Professor, University of the Philippines Visayas

"Living in Innsbruck, my experience was enriched by the intercultural programs arranged by then Austrian Exchange Services (OeAD). [These programs] were very important in anchoring my understanding of Austrian societal values, history and cultural legacies."

Vanessa Suelt Cock, Colombia

Constitutional Law Professor, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá

"The people of the Institute and the city [of Graz] were so friendly and hospitable. This made me feel at home and gave me a beautiful experience that I will always remember."

Maria Dos Santos, Venezuela

E-waste Project Manager at KERP

"Learning the German language as well as my efforts to integrate into Austrian culture gave me the opportunity to apply my technical and soft-skills"

Luke O. Olang, Kenya

Senior Lecturer at the Technical University of Kenya, Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Technology

"My educational and training experience in Austria provided a good opportunity to scale-up and leverage my capabilities in a multi-cultural research setup."

Nikita Chiu, China (Hong Kong)

Research Affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, University of Cambridge and Academic Advisor at the Regional Academy on the United Nations

"[Vienna] enables scholars to obtain first-hand insights into the dynamic landscape of international governance in the areas of peace and security, climate change, and drug control."

Gibson S. Nyanhongo, Zimbabwe

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)

"Little did I know that this was a journey to what I almost call my second home. [...] [T]hanks to OeAD and my supervisors who made it possible for me to achieve my dreams – being a scientist!"

Iva Rezic, Croatia

Docent at the University of Zagreb, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Textile Technology

"I believe that the skills and the knowledge obtained from my experience with Austrian colleagues have helped me to become an independent researcher, a project manager and a group leader […]."

Paul T. Yillia, Sierra Leone

Lead Policy Specialist, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)

"[M]y key professional contacts and current undertakings are largely connected to the people and opportunities I have been encountering and experiencing in the last couple of years during and after my studies in Austria."

Džalila Muharemagić, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Project Officer at IRO, University of Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“[D]uring my stay I got the opportunity for additional activities, which made my research even more relevant than I could imagine when I was applying for the scholarship."

Venkatavamsikrishna Kovelakuntla, India

Research Assistant with Prof. Amitabh Joshi, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology Unit, JNCASR, Bangalore, India

"I realised that art, culture and philosophy are, apart from science, very important to me."

Sayeh Agegnehu, Ethiopia

Debre Markos University, Vice President for Business and Development of the University and staff member of the Institute of Land Administration

"My PhD study in Austria has enabled me to have broader understanding of the social, economic and environmental impacts of sound land administration system."

Sita Aryal, Nepal

Report Writing Facilitator, Forest Resource Assessment for the Nepal Project in Kathmandu, Nepal

"I was also very lucky to have international friends and well-wishers in Austria, from whom I received moral and technical support during my study period."

Constantine S. L. Loum, Uganda

Senior Lecturer at Gulu University, Faculty of Medicine

"The study in Austria was a life changing experience; it gave me satisfaction in life as it offered me the opportunity to achieve a long cherished career."

Rafat Al Afif, Syria

Senior Scientist and Lecturer, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)

"With the help of my new colleagues I managed to successfully develop not only my foreseen working plan but also to further extend my research […]."