A Syracuse University professor has been selected to serve in a prestigious research position as an ambassador to promote academic exchange between the United States and Germany.

Ivan Korendovych, a chemistry professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, was selected to be a science ambassador for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, or the German Academic Exchange Service, earlier this month. Korendovych will be responsible for promoting research opportunities in Germany through outreach and scholarship support.  

“A lot of students, a lot of faculty, a lot of researchers, for example, want to establish international connections,” Korendovych said. “But there’s always a big barrier to doing so, and if there’s a person with experience and connections in the vicinity, it’s a lot easier to do. That’s the idea behind these research ambassadorships.”

Research ambassadors are volunteers, and there are ambassadors around the nation, with Korendovych being the only one in central New York.

“I think serving our area is good because Germany is more of an exception in the modern world. These days, nations tend to become more self-centric, and Germany is the only one that really expands out,” Korendovych said. “I hope to show that this is a good thing. In particular, the U.S.-Germany connections are strong historically and I think they should be fostered and improved.”

Korendovych applied to become a DAAD ambassador after the organization invited him to apply.

After being selected, Korendovych and other DAAD ambassadors participated in a training and networking conference at the German mission in Manhattan. The event allowed for ambassadors to make connections at the German mission, so they know who to contact with questions, Korendovych said.

“We selected Mr. Korendovych because he has conducted several advanced long-term research projects in Germany and was interested in promoting research in Germany at his home university and among his peers and students,” said Amra Dumisic, DAAD’s program and information officer.

As an ambassador, Korendovych will arrange informal meetings on campus for students in science programs and for prospective applicants to DAAD programs, providing support to students and researchers interested in academic pursuits in Germany.

Korendovych will also submit short reports to DAAD’s New York office with information regarding any important contacts made and meetings organized.

Published on January 21, 2018 at 8:03 pm