When Nyanda Elias Ntinginya grew up in rural Tanzania, no one in his family had ever attended secondary school. Through exceptional dedication and a scholarship that made further education possible, he went on to complete his PhD in Medical Research – International Health at CIHLMU, funded through exceed, a DAAD program supported by BMZ, and returned home to lead a medical research institute with 150 staff. His story is remarkable. It is also not unique.
Over more than 15 years, CIHLMU has worked with universities and institutions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to educate future leaders in global health, strengthen research capacity and build long-term institutional partnerships. The scholars who came through these programs did mostly not stay in Munich. They returned home to create impact and to keep the partnership alive.
This is why CIHLMU supports the resolution adopted by the members of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which calls on the German government and parliament to continue higher education cooperation programs with partners in the Global South. These programs are now at risk due to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development's (BMZ) decision to phase out its funding.
Partnerships that create lasting impact
The value of these partnerships becomes visible through the achievements of our alumni.
Deepak Paudel (Nepal) completed his PhD through the DAAD-funded exceed program at CIHLMU. Today, he works as a Health Systems Advisor, collaborating with the Government of Nepal, UNICEF, WHO, and academic institutions to strengthen health systems through evidence-informed policy and implementation. He trains future public health professionals and contributes to international One Health and pandemic preparedness initiatives in Nepal and Ethiopia. "The scholarship did far more than open the door to doctoral studies," he writes. "It connected me to a global network of peers and institutions – partnerships that continue to thrive today."
María Teresa Solís Soto (Bolivia), one of the first graduates of CIHLMU's PhD program, tells a similar story. After completing her doctorate, she returned to Bolivia and has since built a research career at San Francisco Xavier University of Chuquisaca, while continuing to collaborate with CIH on the OH-TARGET project and leading the One Health Competence Center in Bolivia. "Although each country has its particular characteristics," she reflects, "we also have common problems that benefit from collaborative work."
These are only a few examples among many. Across our global alumni network, graduates have become researchers, professors, health system leaders, policymakers, and educators who continue to strengthen institutions and improve health in their countries, while maintaining long-term collaborations with partners worldwide. You can read about more of our Alumni stories here.
International cooperation creates mutual benefit
International academic partnerships are not a one-way transfer of knowledge. They create mutual learning, foster scientific excellence, and build trusted relationships that enable collaborative responses to global challenges. The knowledge generated through these partnerships on pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, climate-related health risks, and health system resilience – benefits institutions, researchers, and societies on both sides.
Investing in higher education cooperation means investing in resilient health systems, scientific innovation, and the next generation of global health leaders.
For these reasons, CIHLMU welcomes the DAAD Resolution and joins the call to safeguard international higher education partnerships with the Global South.
