ODU Computer Science Student Wins German Scholarship

Jonathan Gaillard, a junior at Old Dominion University, has won a computer science scholarship that will grant him six months of studies in Germany and at least five months of employment as an intern in that country during the 2009-10 academic year. His classroom work will be at the Technische Hochschule in Munich.

"This award is a big one and Jonathan is the first ODU student to win it," said Steven Bell, director of the university's Study Abroad program.

Gaillard's scholarship is from the German Study and Internship Program, which is overseen by the German Academic Exchange Service in conjunction with the UAS7 coalition of German Universities of Applied Sciences.

The award includes full tuition, travel expenses and around $1,000 per month for living expenses and insurance.

Janet Brunelle, the chief departmental adviser in ODU's computer science department, called Gaillard a "very bright young man who has known ever since I started advising him that he wanted to study abroad." She said she was impressed by how hard he worked last semester to complete the application for the scholarship program.

Jay Morris, a senior lecturer in computer science at ODU who has taught Gaillard for four courses, called him "a perfect candidate to represent the university." He said Gaillard should adapt well to the German academic tradition in which students are expected to complete all assignments, plus do independent study. "He's the kind of guy who will read outside the syllabus. He's very creative, almost artistic," Morris added.

UAS7 is a strategic alliance of seven leading German universities of applied sciences committed to excellence in teaching and research, and whose goal is to further academic exchange between North American and German institutions.