In 2023 we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the TU Dresden Fellowship Program. In ten years, over 200 most qualified researchers have become TU Dresden Fellows. The variety of research areas and countries are as diverse as each guest stay itself and TU Dresden as a whole.

This year, we are featuring former TU Dresden Fellows and their experiences during their time at TU Dresden. We hope that by telling these success stories, we can inspire other international scholars to come to Dresden and thus further promote international cooperation in research and teaching at TU Dresden.

Interview with Dr. Fawzy Sherif, TUD Junior Fellow 2022

What motivated you to participate in the TU Dresden Fellowship Program?

As I was a PhD student at TUD from 2007 to 2011, I had a very interesting time with a unique work family at ITM institute. My kind supervisor and colleagues supported me so much. Since that time, I realized that TU Dresden is the suitable place for me to achieve my tasks. After finishing my PhD studies, I wished to come back again and continue my research projects. That is why I was motivated to participate in the TU Dresden Fellowship Program. Nowadays TU Dresden has been become one of the biggest and most important universities in Germany and Europe and has really  promising research projects and outstanding modern technologies and facilities.

Thinking back to your time in Dresden: What are your personal highlights from that experience?

To meet with my past team at work and to observe the improvements which have been made by TU Dresden was really wonderful. Another personal highlight was that my family could accompany me to visit Dresden and they enjoyed to see the city and former friends again.

How did the TU Dresden Fellowship help you to improve your academic career?

In my career as a textile researcher and engineer, new techniques and products are developed each year. ITM institute and RCCF center are leaders in the development of high performance materials especially in the field of carbon fibers. The TU Dresden Fellowship enabled me to strengthen my career by working with a clever team and participating in a valuable project. As a result of this project, an international meeting has been organized to present and discuss the outputs. In addition, a scientific research paper has been published in an highly qualified international journal.

How do you evaluate your relationship with the TU Dresden today?

My relationship with TUD did not stop since I got my PhD. I was and I am continually in contact with the colleagues, professors and friends at TU Dresden. At the same time, I have also been a regional ambassador of TU Dresden in my country since 2011. Day after day this relationship grows stronger.

Are there any existing partnerships and/or cooperation with your university and the TU Dresden?

Actually not yet. But we plan to build an international collaboration in the nearest future.

If you could talk to a Dresden Fellow who just arrived in Dresden, what would you recommend him or her?

1. Invest every second of the fellowship to enhance your career scientifically.

2. Enjoy and discover the beautiful city of Dresden, especially the nature and cultural sights.

3. Be in continuous contact with the welcome center, the international office and your supervisor.

What do you think are the three most important developments in your field of science during the last decade?

1. Carbon fibers and their applications.

2. Medical applications of technical textiles.

3. Sustainability and smart textiles.

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You can find more information about the TU Dresden Fellowship Program and other alumni here.