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In recognition of the Cluster's achievements for the general public Dr. Faraj Remmo awarded the Cluster of Excellence with the "Gratitude Sculpture” – making the Cluster part of a group of renowned recipients.

The "Gratitude Sculpture"

The Cluster of Excellence was awarded the “Gratitude Sculpture” by Dr. Faraj Remmo. The sculpture is meant as a recognition of the Cluster’s engagement in the field of diversity and integration. Dr. Faraj Remmo, a scholar of education science at the University of Bielefeld in Germany, has made it his life’s mission to work and create awareness for the issues of inclusion.

Creating awareness for the issues of inclusion

After an accident that left him a quadriplegic, Dr. Remmo decided to make a difference. He pursued a career in academia and has been working tirelessly ever since in order to increase awareness for issues regarding inclusion and diversity. To promote his goals even further Dr. Remmo initiated several awards that recognize special achievements in these areas. One of the awards that he created four years ago is the “Gratitude Sculpture”. He already sent it out to more than 235 institutions or individuals in 90 countries who have “rendered outstanding services to the global community”. Recipients include, among many others, Stephen Hawking, Margarethe von Trotta and “Reporter ohne Grenzen” – and now the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence.

Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Seesemann

“We are humbled and grateful to receive this recognition and to join of a very prestigious group of recipients,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Seesemann, dean of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, when he conveyed his thanks to Dr. Remmo on behalf of the entire Cluster. “ We see the award as an incentive and additional motivation to keep fostering the values of diversity and reflexivity that form an intrinsic part of our agenda.” He also congratulated Dr. Remmo on his outstanding achievements in the field of inclusion, describing him as “a veritable role model and real inspiration.” (sg)