Master's scholarship holder José Rafael Santiago starts his stay in Münster
The first short-term scholarship for international master's students in mathematics has been awarded to José Rafael Santiago. The Venezuelan has recently arrived in Münster and will spend six months at the University of Münster, funded by the new scholarship programme of the Cluster of Excellence Mathematics Münster.
José completed his bachelor's degree at the Universidad de Los Andes-VE, Venezuela. Then he began his master's studies at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He will now spend the last six months of his studies at Münster’s Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science and finish his master's thesis here.
During his studies, he developed a particular interest in differential geometry and geometric analysis. José’s master’s supervisor, Andrew Clarke, works at the intersection between these two mathematical fields. "I think this connection is really beautiful," says José as he explains why he can imagine doing research in this area in the future.
As there are also renowned scientists in Münster who are also interested in this intersection, José decided to spend some time abroad at Münster University, noting that "Here I can learn from excellent researchers and establish a network." After completing his master’s degree, he will probably transfer to the prestigious Brazilian research institute IMPA where he already has a PhD position lined up. However, he can also conceive there may be further research stays in Europe.
His stay in Münster was supported and organised by Dennis Binder, who coordinates the Cluster's scholarship programmes, and Dr Bianca Santoro, the mentor for international master's students at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. She and Prof Hans-Joachim Hein will also be José's academic advisors during his stay here.
After a good start in Münster, José is now looking forward - in addition to the professional input - to connecting with other master's students as well as getting to know Münster and the surrounding area. Whether he will pluck up the courage to ride a bike in Münster - he is not yet quite sure.
About the scholarship programme
These scholarships are intended to make the master's programme even more attractive for students from abroad. Full-time scholarships and short-term funding are available for outstanding international master's students. In addition, there is a support programme for German master's students seeking to spend time studying abroad. Through these measures, the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science and the Cluster of Excellence Mathematics Münster are seeking to promote the international exchange of especially talented students and increase the visibility of Münster as a hot spot for mathematics.
Links:
Short-term scholarship for international master’s students
Further scholarships for master’s students
Master's programme MSc Mathematics Münster