FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Philipp Schulte-Noelle, CEO
Thursday, 10 September 2020

Financial support for students during the coronavirus pandemic

Ottobock awards more Deutschlandstipendium scholarships in Germany in 2020

The Duderstadt-based family company is supporting eleven students in the South Lower Saxony region with a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship during the winter and summer semesters in 2020/2021. "Medtech needs talented people, and talented people need support," says CEO Philipp Schulte-Noelle of the company's commitment. He notes that students in particular are significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic as many are no longer able to earn extra money, as for an example, with side jobs in the food service industry. "This is why we are funding more Deutschlandstipendium scholarships this year than in previous years. We hope this financial support will help talented young people weather the crisis."

The scholarships will support outstanding social engagement and academic achievements in the fields of medical technology and human medicine at three centres that train talented individuals in the city of Göttingen: University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen (HAWK) and the Private University of Applied Sciences (PFH).

"Financial support is more important than ever in difficult times so that students can concentrate fully on their studies," says Prof Wolfgang Brück, Director of Research and Teaching at the UMG and Dean of the Medical Faculty. "Talented young people ensure the future of our health system, which has proven to be an essential pillar during the crisis. The scholarships sponsored by Ottobock are a helpful support for the students and moreover an important signal for the significance of our healthcare system." Around 2,400 medical students attend UMG every year.

In addition to providing financial support, the Deutschlandstipendium creates early networking opportunities for companies and students. "Both sides benefit from this. We offer our students an additional chance to get a professional orientation during their studies and companies have the opportunity to get to know young professionals" says Prof Dr Wolfgang Viöl, HAWK Vice President for Research and Transfer. In 2017 the study programme medical engineering started at the Gesundheitscampus Göttingen, a cooperation project from HAWK and UMG. With the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship Ottobock supports five students of this programme.

Supporting the next generation in the orthopaedic technology industry has been one of Ottobock's goals for decades. In 2011, the company partnered with PFH to set up Europe's first degree course in orthobionics, which combines elements of medicine and biomechanics. There were ten students participating in the course in the first year, and this number has since grew to 20.

Ottobock is based in the German state of Lower Saxony, and its involvement in the Deutschlandstipendium puts the technology and innovation leader in good company. In 2018, more than 7,800 private funding sources provided support for some 27,300 talented young people. The students receive a sum of 300 euros per month for one year. Half the funding is paid by companies or private sponsors, with Germany's Federal Government contributing the remaining half. Students are selected by the respective higher education institution.