Every year, the Industrie- und Handelsclub Ostwestfalen-Lippe e. V. (IHC) awards the "International Partnership Programme (IPP)" sponsorship prize. This year, the award went to Paderborn student Nisrin Al Akhal, who was nominated by Prof Dr Martin Schneider. She impressed the jury with her outstanding academic achievements, her broad academic profile and her special social commitment.
In a multi-stage selection process, she presented a lecture on the topic of "Consequences of the tariffs introduced by the USA for international trade relations and companies in OWL". In doing so, she was able to draw exclusively on her existing knowledge - and impressed the jury with her professional aplomb.
International and committed
Nisrin Al Akhal is currently studying International Business Studies in her sixth Bachelor's semester at Paderborn University and has already submitted her Bachelor's thesis. She would also like to complete her Master's degree in Paderborn. She describes her motivation for studying as follows: "I wanted to understand business in a global context and develop intercultural skills. It was particularly important for me to use my language skills to better understand international markets and economic relationships between different countries."
She gained a wide range of practical experience during her studies - as a student assistant at the Chair of Entrepreneurship under Prof Dr Rüdiger Kabst and in several internships at start-ups. She has also been involved in voluntary work since 2020, supporting a person in need of care with their medical treatment, and has been active at university events such as the Festival of Amazement.
She also emphasises her intercultural competence through her language skills: In addition to German and Aramaic, she speaks Arabic, English and French - and thus embodies the international character of the programme in a special way.
Prof. Dr. Martin Schneider, who nominated Al Akhal for the award, emphasised in his laudatory speech: "Ms Al Akhal is not only academically successful - she brings much more to the table: Practical experience in the field of start-ups and innovation, great social commitment and impressive language skills. With her optimistic and engaging demeanour, she also made an immediate impression in the selection interview."
For Al Akhal, the award is more than just recognition: "It gives me the chance to shape my career internationally, take on responsibility and grow through new experiences. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to expand my network and gain inspiration for the future by exchanging ideas with leading personalities."
The programme
The International Partnership Programme (IPP) is designed to give high-achieving business students the opportunity to gain important skills during a three-month internship abroad that will prepare them for life as future managers. The programme is offered in cooperation with Bielefeld University, Paderborn University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences. The students are nominated by the universities themselves and then go through a multi-stage selection process.
