From radio aficionado to regional ambassador
(interviewed in 2023)
Thomas Scheufler
Carlos Humberto Fajardo Uribe first set his sights on Germany after participating in a radio program when he was at school. Today, he is a regional ambassador for TU Dresden in Colombia and regales us with stories of his alma mater in the video interview Give Me Five+!
| Profile | Carlos Humberto Fajardo Uribe |
| Degree program: | Postgraduate studies Environmental Protection and Regional Planning |
| Faculty | Formerly Faculty of Forest, Geo and Hydrosciences, today Faculty of Environmental Sciences |
| Study period | 2006 – 2010 |
| Current work | Freelance |
| Regional Ambassador | for Colombia |
Carlos Humberto Fajardo Uribe is the graduate of the month for August 2023.
Why did you decide to study at TU Dresden?
Germany first appeared on my radar when I was at school. I participated in a radio program by the embassy in Colombia. Later, when I was studying chemistry in Bogotá, a few of my professors recommended that I pursue a Master’s degree in Germany, given the impressive progress and scientific developments that have been made there in this and other fields. I immediately signed up for my first German language class. I chose TU Dresden specifically because it was the only university that offered the course that I wanted to study.
What made you chose this degree program?
After reading countless studies of the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, I wanted to study something where I could actively contribute to its solutions.
Who from research and teaching influenced you the most during your studies?
Prof. Gert Dudel, the former chairperson of the Examination Committee and Dr. Carsten Brackage, the supervisor for my Diplom thesis.
Where are you employed today, and what are your responsibilities?
I currently work as a freelance contractor at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Bogotá.
Carlos Uribe is the graduate of the month August, comes from forest sciences and tells what brought him to TUD and what still connects him with it today. © Archiv TUD
What advice would you give to our first-years?
Live this stage of your life to the fullest, spend time getting to know your fellow students and enjoy everything that Dresden has to offer.
What do you remember most fondly about your time as a student?
I love meeting people, trying new food and experiencing customs from all over the world. I also challenged myself to attend a few German lectures and was pleasantly surprised with how rewarding it was.
Was was your favorite place on campus?
The SLUB and the institutes in Tharandt.
What still has a lot of value for you today/would you like to have had more of?
I’m still in contact with a number of good friends that I got to know during my time in Dresden. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get a place in a student dorm. And I would like to have done an internship.
What tips do you have for hitting the ground running in your industry?
Make contact with potential employers while you are still studying.
What connects you to TU Dresden today?
Being a regional ambassador for the university.
When Carola Queitsch (I.) from TUD’s student marketing represented TUD at a university fair in Colombia, Carlos Uribe assisted with information as a regional ambassador.
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