DHAKA: Germany has seen a record growth in the number of Bangladeshi students as in the winter semester in 2013-14, about 730 Bangladeshi students enrolled in German universities, an increase of over 500 year-on-year.

Compared to two years ago, the number has more than doubled. Some 72 percent of Bangladeshi students going to Germany opt for programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related subject fields, said a press release.

In a joint effort to further promote educational opportunities in Germany, the German Embassy, represented by its Cultural Attaché Christian Zürpel and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), represented by its Dhaka University (DU)-based Lecturer Marie Kretzschmar, held info sessions at DU and the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology on December 3-4.

The release also said the two German representatives, while speaking in front of full auditoriums at both universities, covered all topics regarding “Higher Education in Germany.

Several hundred curious students and faculty members were informed on study programs on offer, admission procedures, student life in Germany, scholarship opportunities and the visa procedure.

Both events saw lively Questions & Answers session with the audience about a range of interesting details which needed to be cut short due to time constraints and the multitude of questions.

Introducing the students of both universities to vital components of the German culture, Peter Naryshkin, an international award-winning piano student of famous Carl-Maria-von-Weber University of Music in Dresden, Germany, performed pieces of Chopin, Liszt and other famous composers.

Listeners enjoyed the rare delight of an internationally renowned pianist on-stage playing on their campuses.

A third information session was held in collaboration with “Die Sprache” German language school in Chittagong, which cooperates with the Embassy and the DAAD on numerous occasions.

BDST: 1750 HRS, DEC 04, 2014