Award DAAD Prize for Heidelberg Student of Geoarchaeology
18 December 2025
Diana Zhunussova from Kazakhstan honored for her social engagement and her academic achievements
Diana Zhunussova has been awarded the DAAD Prize for international students. The prize granted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) honors out-of-the-ordinary social engagement, as well as noteworthy academic achievements. The geoarchaeology student from Kazakhstan advocates intensively for equal opportunities in the educational system. “This award honors me for everything that is important to me: openness, democracy, inclusion and exchange,” she said happily. The prize was presented to her at a short ceremony by Prof. Dr Marc-Philippe Weller, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Diversity of Heidelberg University, and Dr Alexander Au, head of Ruperto Carola’s International Relations Division.
After finishing high school Diana Zhunussova’s journey first led her to the international preparatory course (Studienkolleg) at Heidelberg University. In the 2017/2018 winter semester she enrolled in a bachelor’s program in geography at Ruperto Carola. A master’s degree in geoarchaeology followed, which she successfully completed in the 2025/2026 winter semester. Study abroad took her to Kyoto University (Japan), the University of Warsaw (Poland), and National Taiwan University (Taiwan). Now the 25-year-old aims to earn a doctorate. “With her open, integrational manner Diana Zhunussova is active far beyond normal expectations on behalf of national and international students at Ruperto Carola, without neglecting her studies in the least,” declared Dr Bertil Mächtle in his tribute to the student. As the coordinator of the master’s program in geoarchaeology he had nominated Diana Zhunussova for this year’s DAAD Prize.
During the award ceremony Alexander Au underlined the student’s academic, social and intercultural commitment. “What Diana Zhunussova has accomplished is remarkable – particularly her efforts on behalf of the students,” emphasized Vice-Rector Marc-Philippe Weller as well. The prize-winner was active as a member of the departmental student committee, advisor for international students and chair of the Constituted Student Body at Heidelberg University. Amongst other things, she accompanied students to the local authorities and supported them in daily university life, for instance through translating. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she co-initiated an assistance network for refugee Ukrainian students and their families, referred them to accommodation and ran a “Ukraine evening” to foster intercultural dialogue. She was also involved in a collaboration between the City of Heidelberg, the police, and Heidelberg University’s equal opportunities office, to oppose sexual harassment and sexualized violence. Since 2023 Diana Zhunussova has been a student member on the DAAD board.
“I am grateful to everyone who has supported me on my path,” Diana Zhunussova underlined, in view of the many friends and colleagues attending the prize-giving. And she particularly thanked her mother who, she said, as a young academic had raised her alone in Kazakhstan and had been a great example to her. “I know how hard it is for a young person to cope in a new country, far away from their native land,” the prize-winner stated. Heidelberg University offers multiple opportunities, she said, but many students need support and guidance in order to recognize these opportunities. “And they need role models,” according to the 25-year-old. The award by the German Academic Exchange Service comes with 1,000 euros in prize money.