DAAD Prize 2025 awarded

The Italian is in her fifth semester studying food technology (B.Sc.) in the first English-language cohort of the Bachelor's programme. With her current average grade of 1.1, she is one of the best students in the LT department. She supports the department as a tutor for physics and physical chemistry and shares her knowledge and methodological skills with other students. In Italy, she played volleyball at a competitive level and was involved in scouting. Due to her outstanding achievements, the department will also nominate Maria Chiara Menapace for a full scholarship as part of the DAAD project ISAP, which provides for an exchange semester in Durban (South Africa).

On Wednesday, 15 October 2025, University President Prof. Dr Karim Khakzar presented the award in the Fürstensaal of the Fulda City Palace. The "reception for first semester students" took place there at the same time.

In his laudatory speech, the president recognised Menapace's commitment to her university studies, her passion for the topics of food technology and her determination and determination. "In addition to your excellent academic achievements, your commitment as a student tutor is also worthy of special mention. You support subsequent cohorts of students in our Food Technology department in preparing for exams and serve as a role model for them – not only in terms of subject knowledge, but also personally in terms of motivation and consistency." He said he had got to know her as "a very motivated and determined young woman" and was delighted to be able to count her among the students at Fulda University of Applied Sciences.

Background to the DAAD Prize
The DAAD Prize is awarded at Fulda University of Applied Sciences to international students who, in addition to their outstanding achievements, are socially committed. The award is also intended to emphasise the role of all international students who support cultural exchange across national borders. As future partners in business, politics and research, they contribute significantly to an open society. 
Fulda University of Applied Sciences has awarded the prize, which is endowed with 1,000 euros, annually since 1997 and is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).