DAAD Alumni Water Experts Take the Stage at IFAT Africa 2025

The DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg had the wonderful opportunity to participate in IFAT Africa 2025, one of this year’s flagship SDG Alumni Projects. These projects, led by German universities in cooperation with the DAAD, are designed for Germany alumni from the Global South and combine active learning in seminars with hands-on experience at global trade fairs and conferences.

The 2025 SDG Alumni Project at IFAT Africa focused on sustainable and peaceful water resources management, reflecting the urgent need for innovative approaches to water challenges across the continent. A total of 45 African water experts, all alumni of German institutions—with more than half being DAAD alumni —were selected to participate. Each of these alumni had previously studied or conducted research in Germany and brought a wealth of experience to the initiative.

Ahead of the fair, the alumni completed an intensive water-focused training week hosted at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). This capacity-building seminar was implemented in close cooperation with UJ and BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, as well as UJ and TU Bergakademie Freiberg, ensuring a strong foundation in both scientific knowledge and practical application.

During the IFAT Africa Trade Fair held from July 8 to 10, 2025 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, the alumni took on a highly visible and impactful role. They were prominently featured in two curated formats:

Pitch Presentation: “Be inspired by clear-cut pitches of African DAAD Alumni” – where alumni presented innovative water solutions and personal success stories.
Panel Discussion: “Future-proof Water Strategies – Innovative Approaches from Science and Industry” – in which the alumni represented the science and research perspective, engaging in a dynamic dialogue with international company representatives to explore actionable strategies for sustainable water management.

The DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg played a central role throughout the conference. As an active supporter, it was integrated into the German Pavillion at the fair with its own information booth, offering guidance on DAAD funding opportunities and scholarship programmes. The centre’s presence was a hub of engagement for alumni, visitors, and partners alike.

Importantly, this initiative was made possible through close collaboration with the DAAD Programme department P32 in Germany, underscoring the strength of institutional partnerships—especially in this DAAD anniversary year —and their shared commitment to supporting alumni networks and sustainable development goals across regions.

Looking ahead, the DAAD remains committed to fostering collaboration, innovation, and capacity-building through upcoming SDG Alumni Projects. Preliminary highlights for 2026 include:

Global Forum for Food and Agriculture & International Green Week in Berlin (January 2026) – Focus: Nutrition and Food Security
re:publica in Berlin (May 2026) – Focus: Education, Lifelong Learning, and ICT
Intersolar Mexico in Mexico City (September 2026) – Focus: Renewable Energies and Climate Protection

These projects will continue to offer alumni platforms to engage, contribute, and lead in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. We look forward to seeing the long-term impact of these initiatives and the vibrant community of DAAD alumni driving change around the world.