DAAD Prize 2025 goes to Ines Mullaj
The prize of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for outstanding achievements of foreign students goes this year to Ines Mullaj from Tirana, Albania.
Ines Mullaj is in her second semester of the FACT (Finance, Accounting, Controlling and Taxation) master's degree programme. In the winter semester of 2024/25, she participated in a COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project with the University of Florida as part of her data analysis course. As group leader, she organised meetings between students from both universities. Both her presentation of the project results and her overall grade point average are outstanding. Her diverse volunteer work is also outstanding, for example at the European Youth Parliament, Red Cross Albania and AIESEC Germany.
In the following interview, Ines talks about her path to the HWR Berlin, her volunteer work and her plans for the future.
What does it mean to you to be honored with the DAAD Award?
Being honored with the DAAD Award is deeply meaningful to me. It represents not only recognition of my academic achievements but also of my personal growth and social engagement. Receiving this award near the end of my studies – after an incredible five-year journey of exploring university life and finding myself in a foreign country – makes it even more special. It reminds me that all the challenges, late nights of studying, and efforts to make a difference were truly worth it. This journey has been my dream since childhood, and this award inspires me to keep learning, growing, and contributing wherever I can. I feel both proud and grateful for this recognition.
Why did you choose to study at the HWR Berlin?
I chose HWR Berlin because I was looking for a university that combined an international environment with a practical approach to learning. HWR Berlin has exactly that – it connects theory and real-world experience in a way that really prepares you for the future. Also, Berlin itself was a big reason. It’s such a diverse, inspiring city, full of opportunities and new perspectives. Studying here has allowed me to meet amazing people from all over the world and to grow both personally and academically.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to focus and put all my efforts into developing myself professionally. I see this next stage as a chance to apply everything I’ve learned, gain real-world experience, and continue building the skills I’ll need for a successful career. I want to challenge myself by taking on roles that push me to grow, work with people from different backgrounds, and learn how to navigate complex, international environments. Ultimately, my goal is to shape a career that feels both meaningful and fulfilling – one where I can keep learning, contribute to something bigger than myself, and make a positive impact through my work.
Furthermore, I believe that learning never really stops. Finance is such a broad and constantly evolving field, and there’s always something new to discover. That’s why continuing to learn and deepen my knowledge will always be an important part of my plans.
You were a member of the European Youth Parliament and a member of the volunteer "Youth Network". Could you give us a brief insight into what these organizations are all about and what their goals are? What motivated you to get involved and what advice would you give to other young people with regard to volunteering?
The European Youth Parliament is a platform that brings together young people from across Europe to discuss important political and social issues. Participants take on the roles of real parliament members – debating, sharing ideas, and learning how to think critically, understand different perspectives, and build consensus around their proposals. The Youth Network, on the other hand, focuses more on local volunteering and community projects that encourage active citizenship and social responsibility.
What motivated me to join was the sense of community and the belief that young people truly can make a difference. Through these experiences, I learned a lot about teamwork, empathy, and responsibility – but also about myself and what I value.
My advice to other young people would be to get involved in causes they care about, even if it’s in small ways. Volunteering connects you with inspiring people, gives you a sense of purpose, and helps you see the world from new perspectives. It’s one of the best ways to grow as a person.
HWR Berlin has been awarding the DAAD Prize since 2006
With the DAAD Prize, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has been offering the HWR Berlin the opportunity to honour exceptional achievements of its international students since 2006. The stated aim of the prize is to put faces to the international students at German universities. The HWR Berlin is proud of its approximately 1500 foreign students who enrich our university.