UNIZIK expands global opportunities, plays host to the DAAD Representative for German language studies, student scholarship opportunities.
All roads led to the Faculty of Arts Auditorium on Thursday, 11th June, 2026 as Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) held a lecture towards strengthening the study of the German Language and exposing students to international scholarship opportunities.
Receiving the DAAD Nigerian representative and lecturer, Charlotte Meyn earlier in his office on a courtesy call, the Vice-Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Alex Asigbo thanked her for coming to share her experience on the study, research and opportunities thereof from the organisation.
The Vice-Chancellor assured her of an enabling environment to deliver her
lecture and the University’s willingness to promote the study of the language.
At the Faculty of Arts auditorium, the lecture with the theme” New Pathways to German
Scholarships, Language, Certificates, and learning Resources primarily targeted at Nigerian university and secondary school students were delivered by the DAAD lecturer, Charlotte Meyn as Guest Speaker and the facilitator, Prof. Chinedu Uchechukwu of the Department of Linguistics
The lecture had four themes – German Scholarship Programs available to Nigerian Students, including DAAD University-specific and other funding options, German proficiency examination levels and certificates. CEFR from A1 to C2, Goethe- certificate, Test DAF, and DSH; delivered by the DAAD lecturer, Charlotte Meyn and the New German Language Studies in Unizik (delivered by Prof. Uchechukwu).
The DAAD lecturer in her presentation offered an insight into the various scholarship programmes and other opportunities available to Nigerians. She noted that DAAD is the world’s largest funding organisation for International exchange.
Charlotte Meyn also stated that the major objective of DAAD is to support students who want to study in Germany, funding of programmes, committed to strengthening studies. She mentioned the programmes to include Helmut
Schmidt, IPOS, Vorsprung and University Summer Course Programmes where the student is
expected to stay one month studying German courses at different Universities in Germany.
Other programmes and scholarships she mentioned included the Erasmus Mundus Programme Scholarship for PhD and Masters Programme in the STEM Field, the Dies programmes training programme for administrative staff, International Parliamentary Scholarship open to those who are into politics.
She also listed the opportunities therefor for PhD students/researchers.
The DAAD lecturer also talked about the various examinations open to students applying for jobs and vocational training in Germany. These include Goette Exams and Onset Exams.
In his presentation, Prof. Uchechukwu probed into the methodology of the teaching of the German Language, the need for the new textbook (which was distributed to all the visiting teachers). the levels of the foreign language learning, what the students and teachers need to master about CEFR, the challenges thereof, and the way forward.,
On mastering the levels, Prof. Uchechukwu emphasised the need for an intensive study of the language at both the language school and the University system.
He designed a model called “STEP LADDER MODEL’ which is aimed at determining the progressive study of the language
in the institutions. .
He called for an embrace of the CEFR (European Framework of Reference for
language learning) which is an index for the syllabus and curriculum design of the language, which also showcases the school admission and employment, course and material development, teacher training, exam creation and marks.
Prof. Uchechukwu also listed the levels of CEFR A1, A2, B1,
B2, C1, C2 noting that it is where an introduction of yourself is required. He stated that a student needs to work hard to progress in the language study.
On the way forward to achieving better German language study, Prof. Uchechukwu called on the secondary school administrators to wake up; the parents to be supportive of their children’s interest in foreign languages. The teachers are to be more devoted and the students are to display their passion for the course.
A performance by the students of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies added colour to the ceremony.
The event attracted a huge number of teachers and students from the twenty-one (21) local government areas of Anambra State.
Some notable officers of the University who were present both at the
courtesy call and at the auditorium were the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof George Onwudiwe, HOD, Linguistics Prof. Derek Orji among others.