How Ratul Chakraborty, a Bangladeshi Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Development Management at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany Through the DAAD EPOS Scholarship

My name is Ratul Chakraborty, and I am from Bangladesh. My background is interdisciplinary, actually. Before coming to Germany, I worked for several years in organisation development and communications, strategy, research and development, and humanitarian programmes with BRAC, Robi Axiata Limited, and Coats Bangladesh Ltd. I later pursued a master’s in development management at the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy (IEE), Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.

I chose Development Management because I wanted to connect my practical experience in development work with stronger academic and research skills. My professional experience had already exposed me to questions around policy, inclusion, organisational change, and development interventions, so the degree was a natural progression.

DAAD EPOS Scholarship Details

I received the DAAD EPOS Scholarship for 2024-2026 to pursue my master’s in development management at the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy (IEE), Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I had a fully funded scholarship offer for a Master’s in Communication from NC State University, USA. Earlier in my academic journey, however, I received the Medha Lalon Scholarship during my bachelor’s for academic excellence from East West University, Bangladesh.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor of Business Administration at East West University in Bangladesh. During my undergraduate studies, I received the Medha Lalon Scholarship for academic excellence. Before that, I completed my Higher Secondary Certificate from Notre Dame College, Bangladesh.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Ruhr University Bochum?

I first looked for programmes that connected with my professional experience and long-term interests rather than applying only based on university rankings. I focused on development, policy, sustainability, and research-oriented programmes.

How Did You Find Information About DAAD EPOS Scholarship and Ruhr University Bochum?

I mainly searched university websites, scholarship databases, DAAD resources, and programme webpages. I also checked eligibility requirements before preparing an application. One thing I would recommend is not relying only on social media posts. The official scholarship and university websites should always be the main source of information.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took IELTS as part of my preparation.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD EPOS Scholarship?

My main approach was to build a coherent story. For the scholarship application, I focused on showing the connection between my academic background, professional experience, and future goals. I had several years of experience working on development programmes, organisational strategy, inclusion, policy, and research, so I tried to demonstrate how further academic training would strengthen the work I wanted to continue doing.

How is Your Experience at Ruhr University Bochum?

My experience at Ruhr University Bochum was academically demanding but very valuable. The programme gave me the opportunity to strengthen my research skills and examine development issues more critically. My Master’s thesis was particularly important because it allowed me to conduct independent research on climate-resilient agriculture.

Is the Institution Free for the Master's in Development Management? Did You Pay Semester Fees?

RUB, as a public university, does not charge any regular tuition fee for my programme, but students were required to pay a semester contribution of approximately 340 euros per semester. As a DAAD EPOS scholarship recipient, my scholarship also helped cover my living and study-related expenses.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think the strongest part of my application was the connection between my professional experience and my academic goals. I tried to explain why the programme was relevant to problems I had already encountered professionally and how learning from this programme would add value afterwards.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

I would suggest that future applicants firstly focus on WHY and relate everything to WHY for this application, such as why this degree, why this particular programme fits their background, and then articulate what value this programme would add to their career portfolio. I think a scholarship application is stronger when it shows direction and consistency.