“A Warm Welcome at HSBI:” How a Fungus Researcher from Brazil Arrives in Bielefeld

Bielefeld (hsbi). Bielefeld Central Station, 8 p.m., Maximilian Köster was right on time. The coordinator of the Welcome Center at Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI), which was officially established in December last year, was waiting for Daniela Milanez Silva. The doctoral candidate from Brazil wanted to conduct research at HSBI for one year on the technical use of fungi that can act as natural pest control agents. For the 28-year-old, it was the first flight and the first trip outside her home country. From São Paulo via London to Düsseldorf. After a total of 29 hours, Daniela Milanez Silva reached Bielefeld and was very happy that she was greeted there and accompanied to her flat by Maximilian Köster. 

Four months earlier, the entomologist and microbiologist, who is doing a doctorate at Universidade de São Paulo, one of the largest and most prestigious universities in South America, had already contacted HSBI’s Welcome Center by e-mail in order to prepare the stay in the best possible way. She had to apply for a visa and look for a flat in advance. “The search for accommodation is the biggest challenge for us,” says Maximilian Köster. “The rental period is often the crux of the matter. For some guests, we only need accommodation for a few weeks or months, while others – like Daniela – stay for a year.” 

Sometimes it doesn’t work without German

Accommodation is directly related to the question of mobility. The international guests must be able to easily reach the three university campuses in Bielefeld, Minden and Gütersloh from their new homes – and they must also learn how public transport in East Westphalia works. “On my first day, Maximilian gave me the task of taking a tram to HSBI,” recalls Daniela Milanez Silva who, in addition to her research activities in the laboratory, completes a German course in Bielefeld. “I now understand about 20 percent,” she says. 

Many international researchers do not necessarily have any knowledge of German because the language of research is usually English. That is why the assistance provided by the Welcome Center is so important: accompanying the guests to the citizens’ office to register their residence and to the immigration office to apply for a residence permit. In addition, they must organise a phone, mobile phone SIM card and Internet access, obtain a TV and radio licence, take out liability and health insurance and much more. “Without the help of the Welcome Center, I would probably despair due to the bureaucracy,” says Daniela Milanez Silva. “In Brazil, we can resolve a lot of organisational issues online, but in Germany, you often have to appear in person.” At least, the Brazilian researcher did not have to apply for financial support. Her cost of living is covered by the scholarship she received from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, the research funding foundation of the State of São Paulo. 

Fungi as natural pest control – HSBI, too, is conducting research on this

She deliberately chose Bielefeld because Prof. Dr. Anant Patel, Vice President for Research and Development at HSBI, and a member of the Bielefeld Institute for Applied Materials Research (BIfAM), has been conducting research and publishing in the field of natural pest control for many years. As head of the laboratory, he supervises the doctoral candidate from Brazil. “I have learned a lot from Professor Patel,” says Daniela Milanez Silva. In the working group “Fermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals”, the biologist initially conducts laboratory experiments to dry fungi sufficiently with additives, but keep them alive at the same time. This is the only way they can function as natural pest control agents. The next challenge is just around the corner in the experimental hall: gentle drying on a pilot plant scale. “At HSBI, I have just the right equipment for drying the fungi, which I lack at the university in Brazil,” the researcher explains. She also appreciates the contact with the other researchers and the tranquillity of the work in the laboratory. 

“We want to solve problems. What works for us on a pilot plant scale then also works more easily in the companies,” says Prof. Dr. Anant Patel, explaining the practice-oriented approach of research: “We benefit from the expertise of the Brazilian scientists who conduct research at the Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz. The working group of Prof. Italo Delalibera is, in my opinion, one of the top three in the world. We learn a lot from each other and want to intensify the exchange. We need an internationalisation of research, different approaches and mindsets to make progress.” The fact that, a while ago, the members of Patel’s working group have decided for themselves to communicate in English does not only benefit the group’s international researchers. 

Encouraging internationalisation, providing individual support 

Be it a research visa or the EU Blue Card, the Welcome Center also provides advice on visas. There is often a variety of possibilities for international researchers. “It is important to consider the individual situation,” reports Maximilian Köster. For example, with regard to family reunification or the overall prospects of staying after the end of the residence permit. “A family of six will soon be coming from India. This raises questions about school attendance, childcare and much more,” says the committed coordinator who remains in contact with the international researchers during their stay at HSBI even after onboarding. For example, he informs them by e-mail when there is a city festival in Bielefeld, and he organises an “International Lunch” once a month.

The Welcome Center takes care of all organisational issues so that researchers can concentrate fully on their work. In the first half of 2023, a total of 150 international researchers were guests at HSBI. 90 of them attended the “International Week” in May, which has been an integral part of HSBI’s “Internationalisation@Home” project for several years. “If HSBI lecturers invite international guests – whether for a few days, weeks or longer – they can be sure that the stay will be well prepared,” says Maximilian Köster. That also applies to the departure. 

Bielefeld has a special place in Daniela Milanez Silva’s heart

For Daniela Milanez Silva, her stay in Bielefeld is soon coming to an end. She has grown really fond of the city during the last year. She might even return after finishing her doctoral project – if there is a vacancy for her. Before that, assisted by Maximilian Köster, she has to clear her way through the German bureaucracy jungle once again. Because everything that has been requested and ordered must now be deregistered and terminated. Luckily, the Welcome Center also has a checklist for that purpose.

And what does the doctoral candidate take with her when she goes back to Brazil in August? “From a technical point of view, all my expectations have been fully met. In autumn, a renowned postdoctoral colleague from São Paulo will come to Bielefeld. So the exchange will continue,” she says, delighted about the continuity in her research area. And personally? “I saw snow for the first time in my life, went ice skating, and I love the German Christmas markets.” And thus, together with Daniela Milanez Silva, a large collection of Christmas mugs will go on the journey back to Brazil. (eb)

For more photographic material, please contact presse@hsbi.de.