As the world's largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers, the DAAD has supported over three million students and researchers worldwide in achieving their academic goals. This support is realized through EU-backed education and development programs, scholarships, alumni networks, research awards, and more.

Approximately five hundred guests were invited to the celebration. Speeches were delivered by various prominent figures. The keynote speech by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized DAAD’s role as a "door opener for academic foreign policy". DAAD President Professor Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee then highlighted the responsibility and necessity of actively shaping the future of science globally: "In a world in transition, it is important to assume planetary responsibility and vigorously utilize and shape all opportunities for exchange and cooperation."

Later in the event, students and alumni from around the world shared personal experiences of how the organization had shaped their academic paths. This was followed by a panel discussion on the importance of international academic exchange, moderated by DAAD Secretary General Dr. Kai Sicks. The discussion featured notable voices including Ralf Beste (Head of Department at the Federal Foreign Office), Jana Nguyenová (Student at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin) and Sherif Rizkallah (Television journalist and presenter), all of whom had benefited from DAAD programs. A noteworthy point raised during the discussion was Jana Nguyenová’s emphasis on the importance of “internationality” in education, especially as science thrives on cultural exchange and diverse perspectives.

This celebration reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to using the organization's global programs and networks as tools for peacebuilding and addressing global challenges. On this point, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated that “If the DAAD didn’t exist, we would have to invent it today.”

The founding vision of DAAD’s co-founder Carl Joachim Friedrich, who saw academic exchange as a path to understanding and excellence, remains central to Germany’s cultural diplomacy. Supported by funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science, the Ministry of Development and the European Union, it is clear that the DAAD plays a key role in using international exchange of students and researchers as a means to foster mutual understanding and cooperation between nations.

• https://www.daad.de/de/der-daad/wer-wir-sind/wandel-durch-austausch/festakt-berlin/ https://www.daad.de/de/der-daad/wer-wir-sind/wandel-durch-austausch/festakt-berlin/
• https://www.deutschland.de/fr/news/le-daad-fete-ses-100-ans https://www.deutschland.de/fr/news/le-daad-fete-ses-100-ans