One of the key challenges faced by international students in Germany is the transition from academia to the workforce. The University of Cologne received funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to support the integration of international graduates into the German workforce through the project ‘Netzwerken International Studium und Arbeitsmarkt’ (NISA). It marks a significant step in creating a more inclusive environment for international students who decide to pursue their education at the University of Cologne and build their careers in Germany. The funding was organized within the framework ‘Campus Initiative for International Talents’. In total 114 projects across Germany received financial support from DAAD. Around 120 million euros from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is available for this initiative until 2028.
The University of Cologne has already been proactive in supporting international students in their academic and professional way by offering various career services. Now, with the additional funding secured through NISA, these efforts will be further expanded and reinforced. NISA aims to support international students in navigating in the German job market, providing them with essential resources and networking opportunities.
Katharina Daun from Career Services International says: “The NISA project focuses on preparing students for their career entry right from the beginning of their studies. UoC‘s Career Services International is responsible for this and works closely together with WiSo-Career-Service. In terms of residence law, graduates from non-EU countries have a maximum of 9-18 months to find a suitable job if they want to stay in Germany. But since choosing a degree program is not yet a career choice and there is often not enough time. The new programs “FIT for the student job” and “FIT for the job” help with a strategic plan. The program starts with a “Personal Development Plan“ (or short PDP – which is an essential component for higher education students in Great Britain and worth copying into German universities) to identify skills, goals and next steps. Based on this plan the students choose workshops which are offered in the program to help achieve their goals. To round it all off international students will get lots of information, advice and network opportunities from international graduates who have entered the German job market already. There are also plans to establish an active network of employers who are explicitly interested in international graduates. Another pillar of the NISA project is additional German and English courses as well as seminars to prepare for the master programs as well as graduation.”
The NISA project places a strong emphasis on career guidance and support for international students throughout their academic journey. This funding not only benefits individual students but also strengthens the network between universities, businesses, and other institutions. Within the project, the university looks forward to empowering a new generation of international specialists, enriching both the academic landscape and the workforce of Germany.