Students

The study programs of the Elite Network of Bavaria are distinguished from other university programs in Germany by their more supportive and flexible design and a higher degree of student involvement in the program. That’s why students in the SDAC Master’s program are highly involved in the day-to-day organization of the program. In order for this to work, each cohort is required to elect representatives to communicate with SDAC staff and bring forward collective questions and concerns. Students also connect across cohorts through social media, events, and joint meetings.

Student Representatives 

Two student representatives (Reps) are elected from each cohort to represent student interests and voices in SDAC. They act as a link between the students and the staff, so that there is an entry point for communication and collective points can be discussed more efficiently. The primary role of the student representatives is to organize exchanges within the cohort they represent, so that collective views and issues can emerge and be brought to the attention of the team. They should actively communicate collective concerns and feedback to staff in order to positively influence the program. However, they are not responsible for solving individual problems, which should be solved individually.

  • Student Reps actively identify common issues faced by their peers as a cohort. They register the consensus of their peers and communicate the positive and negative feedback, collective issues, suggestions, and proposals that the cohort wishes to present to the staff. This information is presented to program leaders during meetings or whenever necessary. 
  • How they gather information and how the cohort organizes itself internally is the result of a collective decision of the cohort, but the student Reps are in no way responsible for individual problems and personal issues. The latter should not involve the student Reps, but must be solved directly with the people involved. 
  • Student Reps should regularly attend the committee meetings, which are held twice per semester. The Program Coordinator will inform student representatives of the meetings and other events they should attend (for example, some staff team meetings where their presence may be helpful). 
  • Student Reps should also help coordinate and organize annual events, such as field trips, celebrations (Welcome Party and Christmas Party), etc. This organizational task does not mean that they should prepare the event alone, but rather that they should coordinate the collective efforts. The organizing of events should involve as many students as possible to make these community events enjoyable for everyone.
  • Student Reps should maintain the confidentiality and privacy of any information they receive from or share with their peers.

8th cohort

  • Paula Weppert
  • Shuxin Yang

7th cohort

  • Maleeha Mengal
  • Chima Abiakwu

6th cohort

  • Max Wenzel
  • Elsa Schroeder

5th cohort

  • Altana Go
  • Kseniya Moshykhina

4th cohort

  • Alexandra Ens
  • Miyuki Kamiyama

3rd cohort

  • Oleg ​Vasilchenko
  • Elaine Zhuang

2nd cohort

  • Saskia Kühne

 

Student Activities

Each year in October, SDAC will organize a one-week-long orientation for new students. During this week, they will meet each other, our faculty members, and students from previous cohorts.

Hi there! Would you like to know more about studying at FAU and living in the Erlangen-Nürnberg area? Take a peek at these vlogs filmed by Ani, our student from the second cohort. She will also offer you some tips on finding accommodation, financing your studies, etc.