Networking event in Freising 2026
On July 3, 2026, BAYHOST and the Bavarian-Czech Academic Agency, in cooperation with the TUM School of Life Sciences, invited the one-year scholarship holders of the Free State of Bavaria to a full-day networking event in Freising.
The meeting took place on the modern Weihenstephan Campus in Freising, where the Technical University of Munich offers numerous interdisciplinary study and research opportunities in the life sciences under the motto “One Health.” Located in the heart of the campus is the historic Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan, the oldest brewery in Europe. A total of 23 scholarship recipients from nine countries in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe participated in the event, including six from the Czech Republic.
After the scholarship coordinators, Katrin Döppe (BAYHOST) and Dagmar Heeg (BTHA), had welcomed the scholarship holders to the campus, Dr. Lisa Göpfert from the TUM School of Life Sciences also personally greeted them and gave a brief introduction to the campus and the university.
The focus of the meeting was on getting to know each other and networking, and it started with a workshop led by Dagmar Heeg. In a concise and refreshing 90-second challenge, all participants presented their research or study projects and gained exciting insights into the work of their fellow scholarship recipients.
After a leisurely lunch at the traditional Braustüberl, which provided an opportunity for further informal discussion among the scholarship holders, the afternoon continued with a workshop on future visions for BAYHOST and BTHA. Working in groups, the participants developed their own ideas and concepts for how BAYHOST and BTHA could further develop their programs and activities in the future. Innovative ideas for better networking among scholarship holders stood out in particular, such as a buddy or mentoring program with alumni or a shared contact database. Topics such as increased support in finding housing or navigating life at their host university in Bavaria, as well as entering the German job market, were also important concerns for the participants. The program was rounded out with a guided walking tour of historic Freising.
Participant Dimitrije Sekulovic (Master’s in European Studies at the University of Regensburg) describes his experience with the BAYHOST scholarship:
“Closing the academic year exactly the way it began: alongside BAYHOST, exceptional organisation, insightful workshops, and an inspiring academic atmosphere. As the conclusion of my first master's year approaches, I can confidently say that contrary to all myths and stereotypes, I have been welcomed here by incredible people, a highly organized academic system in Bavaria and Regensburg, and an immensely supportive environment. I owe a special debt of gratitude to BAYHOST for the scholarship support, that made this entire experience in Germany possible.”
Each year, BAYHOST and BTHA award approximately 35 scholarships (funded by the Free State of Bavaria) to outstanding graduates from Central, Eastern, and Southeastern European countries. The scholarships support both master’s and doctoral studies as well as one-year research stays at Bavarian higher educations institutions, with the aim of promoting academic exchange between Bavaria and these regions.
