Oct 23, 2025
TUD student Svitlana Kovalchuk receives Marwa El-Sherbini Scholarship for Cosmopolitanism and Tolerance
Svitlana Kovalchuk was awarded the "Marwa El-Sherbini Scholarship for Cosmopolitanism and Tolerance" on October 22, 2025. Born in Ukraine, she is studying for a Master's degree in European Languages at TUD Dresden University of Technology. Minister of State Petra Köpping and Dresden's Lord Mayor Dirk Hilbert presented her with the scholarship certificate at a ceremony. The scholarship is awarded for two years and is endowed with 750 euros per month.
"For me, this scholarship not only means support for my studies, but above all the opportunity to contribute to a cosmopolitan and tolerant Dresden. With my knowledge and experience, I want to help people from different cultures to understand each other better and to see diversity as a strength - not an obstacle," said the newly awarded scholarship holder.
Die Sächsische Staatsministerin Petra Köpping, Stipendiatin Svitlana Kovalchuk und Dresdens Oberbürgermeister Dirk Hilbert im Rahmen der Feierstunde zur Stipendiumsurkunde.
Svitlana Kovalchuk has already completed a teaching degree in her home country and has been committed to diversity, cosmopolitanism and equal participation for many years. In Ukraine, she volunteered to help children living in difficult social conditions. During a voluntary social year, she looked after people with disabilities and supported participants in international voluntary services with language acquisition.
Svitlana Kovalchuk is currently involved in a church community for Ukrainian refugees, interpreting, offering language courses and helping to organize sports camps for young people. With her intercultural experience and skills, she is actively helping to shape Dresden as a place of diversity and tolerance.
Background to the Marwa El-Sherbini scholarship:
The Free State of Saxony, the state capital of Dresden and the DRESDEN-concept e. V. jointly award the scholarship in memory of Marwa El-Sherbini. The Egyptian pharmacist and mother, who lived in Dresden, was the victim of a racially and Islamophobically motivated murder in the Dresden District Court in 2009. To commemorate her and set an example for tolerance, diversity and respect, the scholarship has been supporting future leaders and specialists who assume societal responsibility and actively promote freedom, democracy and fundamental and human rights since 2012.
TUD Rector Prof. Ursula Staudinger has been a member of the Advisory Board of the Marwa El-Sherbini Scholarship since September 2025. Her appointment underlined Staudinger's commitment to cosmopolitanism and tolerance – values that are also of central importance to TUD as a globally oriented and regionally anchored university.