The DAAD Program “Mathematics in Industry and Science” in Kaiserslautern

I am Chathuri Samanmali Fernando from Sri Lanka and completed my master degree at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), Finland. My sole ambition was to acquire a doctoral position which can lead to pursue research oriented profession to my academic career. To fulfil my wish, I have discovered that, TU Kaiserslautern in Germany, which is among the leading mathematical research universities in Germany, is offering a PhD program, Mathematics in Industry and Science (MIC) with the support of DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). I found, it is great opportunity which specially has designed for the International students like us who are coming from the developing countries. The biggest achievement for me is being selected to the above mentioned program. Eventually, I am a first year doctoral student in the Department of Mathematics at TU Kaiserslautern. This program oriented with the outstanding research where we focus on the applications of modern theories and concepts under the supervision of corresponding Professors provided by the university. The important fact is that, students have full freedom to discuss or choose their research interests.

Particularly, my research is in the area of optimization with partial differential equations in the field of mathematics, where we explore a new working frame to the free boundary value problems which we can link to the glass manufactures as an industrial application. Besides, the university itself is one of the excellent places where you meet really friendly, cooperative research members to support and advice you. Indeed, I was a bit apprehensive when I entered to the university to start my PhD journey.

“I was fascinated, all worked out well and negate all my apprehensions. And this fascination is getting stronger with each passing day.”