Vinayak Bhaskar Naik’s DAAD KOSPIE Scholarship Story: Structural Engineering Research at Leibniz Universität Hannove

Hi! I’m Vinayak Bhaskar Naik from Sirsi, a small town in Karnataka, India. I completed my Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP). Before this, I completed my Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering at RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru. I've always been fascinated by the potential of combining traditional civil engineering methods with cutting-edge technology. That’s why for my master's research, I chose to explore Physics Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to model complex behaviors in materials under various loading conditions.

I was fortunate to receive the DAAD KOSPIE Scholarship, which allowed me to conduct my research at Leibniz Universität Hannover in Germany. There, I worked closely under the supervision of Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Raimund Rolfes, and Dr.-Ing. Dr. Aamir Dean.

Throughout my research, I also received invaluable guidance and continuous support from my Indian supervisor, Dr. Aritra Chatterjee from IIT Kharagpur.

DAAD KOSPIE Scholarship Details

The DAAD KOSPIE Scholarship provided excellent support, including:

• A monthly stipend of €934
• Full coverage for health, accident, and liability insurance
• A generous travel allowance of €1425 for round-trip airfare
• A one-time research allowance of €268
• A fun and informative 4-week intensive German language course
• Monthly rent subsidy for accommodation

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru (CGPA: 8.9/10)
• Master’s in Structural Engineering from IIT Kharagpur (CGPA: 9.59/10)

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Leibniz Universität Hannover?

I started by researching various TU9 universities known for structural engineering and computational modeling. Leibniz Universität Hannover stood out because of Prof. Rolfes’s research group and their focus on computational structural analysis. I reached out to Prof. Rolfes via email with a clear and concise research proposal that explained my objectives and interest in working with his team.

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

The application required meticulous preparation, so I ensured everything was precise and thorough. Here’s what I did:

• Updated my CV and gathered academic transcripts.
• Developed a detailed research proposal emphasizing the innovative use of PINNs.
• Obtained a formal acceptance letter from Prof. Rolfes at LUH.
• Secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from IIT Kharagpur.
• Submitted a polished application through the DAAD online portal and kept in regular contact with my advisors to ensure clarity and alignment.
• Highlighted my GATE qualification to showcase my academic readiness.

Experience at Leibniz Universität Hannover

My experience at LUH was fantastic. Everyone, from my supervisor to fellow researchers and staff, was exceptionally welcoming and supportive. The university does a great job helping international students feel at home, organizing many events to help us connect and integrate into university life. The one-month German course provided by LUH was not only helpful academically but also very enjoyable, fostering a sense of community among international students.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

• My solid academic record and relevant research experiences.
• A clear, thoughtful, and well presented research proposal.
• Taking the initiative to connect early with supervisor and clearly articulating how my goals aligned with his research.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

• Started the application process even earlier to reduce last minute stress.
• Reached out to more DAAD alumni for insights and tips.
• Learned some basic German language earlier, to ease initial adjustments in Germany.

Advice for Future Applicants

• Start early and give yourself plenty of time for thorough research and preparation.
• Clearly define your research goals and articulate them convincingly in your proposal.
• Proactively engage with potential supervisors and consistently seek feedback.
• Talk to past scholarship recipients to gather practical tips and insights.
• Stay organized and careful in preparing and submitting your documents!