(interviewed in 2023)

Thomas Scheufler

More than 30 years after obtaining his doctorate, physicist Dr. Boubakar Barry still feels closely connected to TUD. Even today, the TUD regional ambassador and avid networker continues to benefit from the strong ties with his alma mater.

Profile of	Dr. Boubakar Barry
Degree program	Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Physics
Study time	Sept 1980 – Sept 1989
Current activity	CEO, West and Central African Research and Education Network WACREN

Why did you decide to study at TU Dresden?

I actually wanted to study IT. But that wasn't possible at the time because I came from a "non-socialist country". So, for strategic reasons, I decided to study physics. But that's a long story...

What factors drove you to choose your field of study?

As I said, I actually wanted to study IT and I had also been approved for a scholarship in the Federal Republic of Germany. But that was for agricultural studies in Hohenheim and that didn't really interest me. I wanted to study something technological.

Who from research and teaching influenced you the most during your studies?

I still remember Prof. Wolfgang Meiling, my doctoral supervisor. Sadly, he passed away a few years ago. I would have loved to meet up with him again, but I couldn't travel because of COVID. Our former research group meets twice a year in Dresden. I took part in one of these meetings in February 2023 and met some colleagues I hadn't seen in decades. We toured the lecture halls, labs and other places together and had a nice dinner at a restaurant. I would like to thank my faculty, but I am especially grateful to my former colleague Rainer Schwierz who organized everything. And Susann Mayer/Jeremiah Peterson at the Alumni Office.

Where are you employed today, and what are your responsibilities?

When I returned to Dakar at the end of 1989, I initially worked as a university lecturer at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar and was director of the computing center there from 1998 to 2006. From 2006 to 2013, I was the Coordinator of the Research and Education Network Unit, Association of African Universities. Since 2013, I have been the CEO of the West and Central African Research and Education Network.

What advice would you give to today's first-year students?

• Work hard.
• Give yourself time to connect with others.
• Enjoy your student live but always have your objective in mind: a successful study at TUD. That should be your main objective; everything else is secondary.

What do you remember most fondly from your student days?

• Having fun with my African, and other international students. Of course with my German colleagues as well.
• Hosting my Senegalease friends on my birthday.
• Reggae Disc Jockey at Afroclub, 12 Juri Gagarin Strasse (now Fritz Loeffler Strasse), with my friend Bonaventure of Cameroon.

Where was your favorite place at university?

Neue Mensa - it was just 3 minutes walk from my faculty when I closed in the evening. It’s actually the main raison I liked it. However, I used to cook Senegalese dishes and share with friends.

What do you still benefit from today/would you have liked more?

I will be retiring in a few years. I have had contacts with German colleagues since I left Dresden. Last time was in February 2023. My older son currently works for a German company and is based near Stuttgart after having represented the company in Changhai for a couple of years. So, a feel that there is quite a strong relationship between TUD and myself; and this can actually be extended to Germany. I love farming and I drive to my farms about 40 kms from Dakar every Sunday when I am around.

How do you manage a good career start in your industry?

Connections can help a lot. Sometimes, it’s difficult to get a job right after graduation. However, internship and volunteer work can open doors.

What connects you with TU Dresden today?

My former colleagues. And my work as a TU Dresden Regional Ambassador.

Update 2024

Dr. Boubakar Barry passed away in Paris in September 2024.