Dec 22, 2025
Mohammad Zafer Saysaa awarded the 2025 DAAD Prize by TU Dresden
Mohammad Zafer Saysaa (right) was awarded the 2025 DAAD Prize by Vice-Rector University Culture and Internationalization Prof. Roswitha Böhm and Maximilian Schurig from the International Office
The DAAD Prize, awarded to international students at TU Dresden for their outstanding achievements, will this year be presented to Mohammad Zafer Saysaa. The prize, endowed with EUR 1,000, is awarded to international students who, in addition to academic excellence in their studies, also demonstrate leadership and exceptional societal commitment.
The laureate, Mr. Mohammad Zafer Saysaa, is a Syrian national and completed his Master's degree in Vocational Education and Personnel Capacity Building at TU Dresden this year. With a very good grade point average, he was one of the top-performing students in his degree program. Since October 2023, his student involvement has included membership in the Faculty of Education's Academic Affairs Committee, where he actively contributed student perspectives to the re-accreditation and further development of the degree program, thus making a direct contribution to its improvement.
Focus on integration and civic participation
A particular focus of his work is integration and civic participation, which dates back to his time in Syria. He worked for several years at the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the Syrian Society for Social Development, where he was involved in health and hygiene campaigns, providing psycho-social support to vulnerable groups, and coordinating emergency response operations.
Interpreter, cultural mediator and travel guide
Since May 2024, Mohammad Zafer Saysaa has been volunteering as an interpreter and cultural mediator at Caritasverband für Dresden e. V., providing linguistic and cultural support to refugees and migrants in vulnerable situations. Since June 2025, he has been volunteering as a travel guide for Freizeit ohne Barrieren e. V. (Leisure Without Barriers), supporting inclusive leisure activities for people with disabilities, supported by formal training in inclusion and accessibility.
Mr. Saysaa's commitment stands as an impressive example of how the challenges of academic study can be successfully overcome while uniting academic competence with an exemplary sense of social responsibility, both inside and outside the lecture hall and seminar room. TU Dresden is proud to recognize Mr. Saysaas as a distinguished alumnus and as a representative of cosmopolitanism, tolerance, and helpfulness. Values that resonate beyond the university.
About the DAAD Prize
In order to recognize that international students enrich the university community at German universities both culturally and academically, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides annual funding to universities for the "DAAD Award for Outstanding Achievement by International Students at German Universities". Each year, an international student is also awarded this prize at TU Dresden. The prize, endowed with 1,000 EUR, is intended to recognize outstanding international students who have distinguished themselves through remarkable social or intercultural commitment and special academic achievements. The selection of the honored person is made internally at the university.
Contact
Maximilian Schurig
International Office
+49 351 463-32442