Alumni Meeting and HSF Scholarships
Hybrid Membership Meeting kicks off 2023 for Former Scholars

What initiatives can the former HSF scholars strategise in 2023 to strengthen its alumni network?  Three months into 2023, in preparation for the second quarter, members of the alumni group of the HSF Philippines’ former scholars – HannsiKlub Philippines -- gathered to discuss engagement ideas, research projects and to schedule activities for the coming months.  A rare exchange with Dr. Jutta Möhringer, Director of the Foundation’s Institut für Begabtenförderung highlighted the meeting, which featured a recorded video by the HSF Philippines’ new Resident Representative.

This 2023, in appreciation for and to promote better understanding of German tradition and Bavarian culture, the Hannsi Klub Philippines plans to continue its regular celebration of the popular Oktoberfest.  Additionally, in encouragement of members who are teaching the German language in public schools, there are plans to provide assistance for their yearly academic exhibitions with students that promote the German language and culture.  Board meetings and quarterly general membership meetings for the year were lined up.  These customarily devote time for the presentation and exploration of members’ research projects and related undertakings.

HSF

Expressing delight in meeting the former scholars for the first time, albeit online, Dr. Jutta Möhringer, Director of the HSF’s Institut für Begabtenförderung, discussed the Foundation’s Scholarship Program and the exciting possibilities of the Foundation’s assistance to highly-talented youth and young professionals who play a part in the transformation of their communities.

Aside from sharing about current developments, she also spoke of plans for scholars to have the opportunity to spend time abroad in HSF project countries or in establishments of alumni to gain invaluable exposure and new perspectives.  Members of the Hannsi Klub, meanwhile, shared how the HSF Scholarship they completed had contributed to their personal and professional growth.

Addressing the alumni for the first time, the HSF Philippines’ Resident Representative Mr. Henning Hillmer, who assumed his new position in January 2023, expressed gratefulness to be able to extend a message to the alumni and his anticipation to meet them in future activities.  He is completing his orientation in the HSF Head Office and is set to arrive in the Philippines in the middle of April 2023 to physically assume his post.

The first group of HSF scholars from the Philippines comprising young professionals from various fields of competence departed for two-year additional training programs in Munich, Germany, in 1983.  Succeeding batches took the same route in the years that followed.  The "Hannsi Klub" was founded by the alumni in 1992.  Its goal was to help the alumni stay in touch and preserve memories of their time spent in Germany.  The alumni also desired to maintain contact with the Foundation and enhance their ties to Germany. 

Thirty-one years hence, the Hannsi Klub’s membership has grown from less than ten to more than sixty with a core of fifteen active members.  Forming most of the group’s board of trustees, this core group strives to organise activities that serve to engage its membership, to interact with the alumni community and to nurture its links with the German private sector.

The HSF currently has 1200 scholars from 150 countries.  Its foreign scholarships seek to support mainly young (the age limit is 32 years) and highly-qualified foreign postgraduates with excellent degrees, good knowledge of the German language and socio-political commitment.  Scholars are mostly young academics involved in studies or research projects at universities or other scientific institutions in Germany.

During this General Membership Meeting, the alumni charted the group’s activities for the succeeding quarter and checked in with one another.  They intently await Mr. Hillmer’s participation in their next activities and were glad to have Dr. Moehringer as a special guest in their General Membership Meeting.

Dr. Möhringer appreciated interacting with the former scholars and to exchange information and ideas with them.  In turn, the alumni were especially glad to be able to meet Dr. Möhringer and hear about the latest in the scholarship front directly from the Institute Director herself.

Verbalising their eagerness to give a hand with the new plans to help scholars gain overseas experience, the former scholars readily agreed to help provide said collaborations.  They attested to the positive effects of such unique prospects and saw the possibility as instrumental in the youth’s further development as productive individuals contributing to the advancement of developing and emerging countries.

The former scholars likewise welcomed the chance to touch base again with Mr. Götz Heinicke who dropped in online to catch up with them, from Togo, West Africa where he is now based after having concluded his seven-year assignment in the Philippines in December 2022.

Held in Makati City as a hybrid activity, it made itself accessible to those who were offsite to, nevertheless, be able to attend the meeting, interact with fellow members, and remain in touch with one another.  The next activity is planned for the second quarter.

The Hanns Seidel Foundation provides study grants to young professionals who have expressed interest to pursue further training (up to 2 years) in Germany, mainly in fields related to the Foundation's project activities in the country.  Read more about the Foundation’s scholarship programs at: https://southeastasia.hss.de/philippines/scholarship-programmes/