New Quality Charter for International Students

BONN, Germany, October 15, 2010 - Germany is a very popular place to study - in 2008 almost
70.000 foreign nationals came to the Federal Republic to study and conduct
research. One in ten of these is Chinese, meaning that China is the origin of
the largest group of international students in Germany. In order to maintain
and further improve the quality of tutoring and hospitality, the German
Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
jointly drew up a "national code for the study stay of foreign nationals at
German universities," which defines general guidelines and thereby delineates
joint minimum standards for the fields of information, advertising,
accreditation, tutoring and subsequent assistance. The guiding principle is
to grant international students the same rights as German students and
moreover to provide the assistance that they, being foreign guests,
specifically require.

Until now, 113 German universities have committed themselves
to this and their study programmes exceed minimum standards. They declare to
inform applicants about their syllabus and funding opportunities and to
assist students in everyday student life and matters such as looking for
accommodation. In order to overcome linguistic barriers, they offer students
introduction seminars and German language courses or are at least able to
point out courses to them. They guarantee that qualifications obtained in the
country of origin are recognised and that international students are assisted
throughout their study in Germany. Students are given the possibility to file
a complaint with an independent body in case they are dissatisfied with the
assistance of the host university.

HRK and DAAD hope that the code strengthens the international
competitiveness of Germany in the higher education market and that high
potentials from all over the world will enrich German higher education.

More detailed information concerning German institutions of
higher education and studying in Germany is available at the China Education
Expo (CEE) on 16/17 October in Beijing, in Dalian on 19 October, in Xi'an on
21 October and in Shanghai on 23/24 October 2010 at the German Pavilion,
where representatives from more than 30 German universities will offer
individual counselling. For more information visit

www.daad.org.cn/cee2010

    Contact:

    Mr. Josef Goldberger
    E-mail: marketing@daad.org.cn
    Tel.: +49(0)10/6590-6656, -6676
    Fax: +49(0)10/6590-6393

    DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service
    Unit 1718, Landmark Tower 2
    8 North Dongsanhuan Road
    Chaoyang District
    100004 Beijing

    Homepage DAAD Beijing: www.daad.org.cn
    Homepage DAAD Head Office: www.daad.de

Contact: Mr. Josef Goldbergerm, E-mail: marketing at daad.org.cn, Tel.: +49(0)10/6590-6656, -6676, Fax: +49(0)10/6590-6393; DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service Unit 1718, Landmark Tower 2, 8 North Dongsanhuan Road, Chaoyang District, 100004 Beijing