Following straight on from the opening of the 2023/24 academic year, the International Days will kick off on October 19 with the presentation of the state awards and DAAD Prize to exceptional early-career researchers. The state awards are sponsored by the French, Spanish, UK and US governments and include the US Ambassador’s Award, which is making its return in 2023 following a several-year hiatus. The presentation of the Ambassador’s Award is linked to a keynote speech by Pauline Kao, the US Consul General in Düsseldorf, on the value of international academic exchange. The state awards are traditionally conferred at the same time as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Prize for noteworthy accomplishments benefiting society and/or university life. The Vice Rectorate for International Affairs is inviting all the guests at the event to a reception afterward in the Senate Hall.