A doctor of biology on a promotional tour
(Interview from 2017)
Thomas Scheufler
Five continents – six regional ambassadors: Dr. Sefirin Djiogue is seeking to organize a "TUD promotion day" for students of all semesters at the University of Yaoundé, and raise awareness within Cameroon of Dresden as a university city.
Title: Dr.
First name: Sefirin
Surname: Djiogue
Graduating year: 2011
Degree program: Doctorate in Biology (Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology)
Current role: Senior Lecturer at the University of Yaoundé 1 (Cameroon)
Regional ambassador: Since 2015
Are you planning a stay in Cameroon? Then contact Dr. Sefirin Djiogue or other regional ambassadors in Cameroon.
KONTAKT online spoke to him about first-rate facilities, excellent training, and great professional cooperation
Dr. Sefirin Djioque in his leisure time
What did you study at TUD? Why did you decide to study at TU Dresden?
I wrote part of my doctoral thesis at TU Dresden in the team led by Prof. Dr. Günter Vollmer at the Institute of Zoology’s Chair of Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology. I chose Dresden because of the excellent laboratory facilities, for example for cell culture and molecular biology.
Would you tell us an anecdote from your student days? What are your happiest memories? Where did you like to go in Dresden? What was your favorite place at university?
I spent most of my time in the lab because I had a lot of work to do, I enjoyed my area of research, and there were so many challenges to overcome. When I felt tired, I used to visit the Faculty of Biology’s beautiful main hall. It made me feel like I was out in nature! It was very inspiring.
What are your links to TUD today? How do you use your TUD ties in your professional and personal network?
I still work with Prof. Dr. Gunter Vollmer's team, for example on projects on the bioactivity of natural products and their possible effects on human health. Professional exchange and friendly support and advice regularly benefit me in my research work here in Cameroon. I also appreciate and make great use of the regional ambassador network of the Alumni Relations Office for sharing contacts and experiences.
Why did you become a TUD regional ambassador? Why is the role important to you?
When I was offered the opportunity to become a TUD regional ambassador in Cameroon, I was very excited because the role enabled and still enables me to link up with other regional ambassadors around the world and share experiences with them. I am also in a better position to direct students from my university towards studying at TU Dresden, as I have taken part in the challenging and excellent programs there myself. I am proud to be part of the TUD regional ambassador network.
An alumni week workshop
How can you help researchers, students, and alumni of TUD who are interested in studying in your country? What have you already achieved in practical terms?
I am happy to help anyone interested in studying in my country with their preparations, advise on the choice of location, and assist with administrative issues during their stay.
Have you had the opportunity to promote TUD within your networks?
Yes, for example, as soon as I returned from participating in the 2015 international alumni week in Dresden, I told students at my university about the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in Tropical Forestry at TU Dresden’s Chair of Tropical Forestry. Every time new collaboration opportunities with TU Dresden become available, I share these with my students.
What else have you done along these lines?
As I said, I regularly advise students from my university to take every opportunity they can to study at TU Dresden – above all because of the first-class education they will get there.
What are your ideas and plans for the future as a regional ambassador? What suggestions, tips, and requests would you like to pass on to the Alumni Relations Office?
It would be good to organize a "TUD promotion day" here at the University of Yaoundé. Together with my colleague, who is also a TUD regional ambassador, I would invite students from all semesters and present the educational opportunities at TU Dresden, which are key for the future development of our country. We could also see ourselves participating in academic conventions and conferences in Cameroon to introduce TU Dresden to students and doctoral candidates from other universities here. In our view, the development of partnerships with TU Dresden could be facilitated if there was a database of institutional email addresses of TUD professors. Last but not least, we could also participate in cultural events to promote Dresden as a university city in Cameroon.
At an alumni week with other international regional ambassadors
Contact:
Dr. Sefirin Djiogue
Country: Cameroon
City: Yaoundé