30 Hamburg students with a migration or refugee background whose parents did not attend university in Germany received the Hamburg Stipendium at a ceremony at Schlüters - Pizza & More on October 10, 2023. The young talents study at the four largest state universities in Hamburg as well as the two art colleges and come from a wide range of disciplines. Many of the honorees are also involved in voluntary work alongside their studies. The roots of the sponsored students lie in Afghanistan, Syria, Togo, Estonia, Poland, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Colombia and Russia. 

The current sponsors of the Hamburg Scholarship are Gasnetz Hamburg GmbH, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Helm AG, Hamburger Sparkasse AG, Marquard & Bahls, Mabanaft GmbH & Co. KG and Wintershall Dea AG. The initiative is also supported by Hamburger Abendblatt hilft e. V., the Ian and Barbara Karan Foundation, the Mathias Tantau Foundation, Christian and Ursula Voß Foundation and the Lions Club Hamburg.

In addition to Mareike Engels, first vice president of the Hamburg Parliament, and Ian Karan, former businessman and senator for economic affairs and patron of the Hamburg Stipendium, the sponsors also addressed the scholarship holders before they introduced themselves to all those present. After the official part, pizza and cold drinks offered the opportunity to make first contacts.

"We initiated the Hamburg Stipendium 5 years ago in order to make a contribution to more equal opportunities in studying. Students with a migration or refugee background often face particular challenges when it comes to successfully completing their studies. We are pleased to be able to support 30 impressive young people who distinguish themselves through special academic and personal competence with the scholarship. As part of a network of scholarship holders, the sponsored students benefit from events and the opportunity to make valuable contacts with Hamburg institutions and companies."

- Sven Lorenz, Managing Director Studierendenwerk Hamburg

"For Hamburg Stipendium scholarship holders, university studies and the Hamburg Stipendium open up new academic, professional and social perspectives. At the same time, the sponsoring companies also benefit from the Hamburg Stipendium network, because they can get to know, promote and retain competent potential employees and also make a valuable contribution to greater integration and equal opportunities."

- Ian Karan, former entrepreneur and senator for economic affairs and patron of the Hamburg Stipendium

"Young people with a migration background often have to overcome more barriers and work harder for recognition of their achievements than their peers. They should have the same opportunities as their fellow students. The Hamburg Stipendium is a step in the right direction, supporting Hamburg students in their academic education and helping them to find allies. These young scholarship holders enrich our universities and our city. I am pleased that they are supported in their studies by the Studierendenwerk."

- Mareike Engels, First Vice President of the Hamburg Parliament