The world's largest funding organization for academic exchange has a new Secretary General, and he comes from the University of Bonn: In its virtual meeting today, November 10, the DAAD Executive Board confirmed the proposal to appoint Dr. Kai Sicks to succeed the current Secretary General. He is expected to take up his new position in February 2021.
Dr. Sicks has been head of the International Office at the University of Bonn since May 2017, where he is responsible, among other things, for the internationalization strategy of the University in research, studies, and administration. Prior to his appointment at the University, the native of Bad Homburg was managing director of the Bonn Graduate Center. Prior to this, he built up a European doctoral and research network with partner institutions in Bergamo, Helsinki, Lisbon and Stockholm. The 43-year-old holds a PhD in German Studies and studied in Vienna, Cologne and Frankfurt am Main. Scholarships took him to the German Historical Institute in Washington, D.C. and Cornell University.
"With Kai Sicks, DAAD gains an extremely accomplished science manager with extensive experience in internationalization of the higher education system," said DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee at the board meeting. Sicks brings a rich portfolio of skills and experience to the DAAD through his many and varied areas of activity in academic and science-related fields. "I am therefore very much looking forward to working together from next year," said the DAAD President.
The Rector of the University of Bonn, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch, said: "I hold Kai Sicks in high esteem. In recent years, he has made an important contribution to the University of Bonn's excellence and internationalization strategy. I wish him every success in his new position and congratulate the DAAD on winning him!"
Contact:
Dr. Kai Sicks
Director of the International Office
Phone: 0228/73-5950
e-mail: k.sicks@uni-bonn.de
