The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) recently constituted a new programme, entitled 'Young Ambassadors', to promote education in Germany through the mediacy of Indian students who had been to Germany for their studies or research.

On 23 March Ambassador Thomas Matussek handed over the letters of appointment to the first batch of sixteen 'Young Ambassadors' in a function at his residence. These ‘Young Ambassadors’, all in their early twenties, come from various prestigious institutes of excellence in India like the IITs, NITs, Birla Institute of Technology, among others. In his address to the young scholars, Ambassador Matussek stressed the important role they would have in the intercultural dialogue. “With its fruitful co-existence in terms of its varied religious, cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds India could very well be a model for Europe. In its geographic expanse and its cultural diversity Europe is comparable to India.” After talking to each of the 'Young Ambassadors' and inquiring about their stay in Germany, Ambassador Matussek summed up, “Your enthusiasm is the best publicity for Germany and its location as a place of excellence for studies and research.”

Christiane Schlottmann, Director of the DAAD in New Delhi, said about the 'Young Ambassadors' programme, “Through this initiative we want to promote Germany as an attractive study location in India and create more interest here for studying in Germany. Who can better advertise for the excellence of our educational institutions but those who have already experienced it?” She added, “With this new programme promoting Germany gets a human face. Of course, the 'Young Ambassadors' will not take over the tasks of the DAAD, but they add an emotional value to our efforts, because they will personally interact with other students and those who are contemplating of going to Germany for higher studies or research.” Through this first group of 'Young Ambassadors', who will soon enter the world of their respective careers, the DAAD aspires to reach out to professional institutions and organisations – a field beyond education, which has not yet been explored by the German Academic Exchange Service in India.