“To truly arrive means to actively participate as part of the community”
Each year, the City of Frankfurt honors outstanding personalities with immigrant heritage. This year, six of them have ties to Goethe University.
More than half of Frankfurt’s citizens have a migration background, with roots in some 180 different countries – people, who following a more or less long and more or less arduous journey from their countries of origin arrived in a city foreign to them, where they rebuilt and reshaped their lives. In so doing, they have and continue to actively shape life in the city they call home: through their languages (many are polyglots), their culture, their skills, their individual experiences and their social commitment.
Twenty such personalities with immigrant heritage from the fields of education, science and business are honored each year by Frankfurt’s Municipal Representation of Foreigners [Kommunale Ausländerinnen- und Ausländervertretung, KAV] – the city’s quasi “migration parliament” representing the interests of its international residents. Six of those honored for their outstanding achievements at this year’s event, held in Paulskirche on November 1, 2024, have ties to Goethe University – they are either students or doctoral candidates, medical doctors, or professors. Beyond their exceptional academic or scientific careers, one cannot fail to be impressed by their awareness of social grievances and their high level of social commitment.
“A lot still has to happen”
“To truly arrive means to actively participate as part of the community – not to position myself as a ‚refugee‘ in need of help, but rather to feel recognized and valued as a person with my particular set of skills and knowledge,” says linguist Galina Putjata in describing the way many people with immigrant heritage feel. “For that to become a reality, a lot still has to happen. That’s why I’m campaigning today for structures to change, for qualifications obtained abroad to be recognized and for room to be given to the languages that people bring with them.” Putjata has been Professor of Multilingualism Research at Goethe University since 2020. Born in Odessa (Ukraine), she has lived in Germany for the past 13 years. In addition to her academic career, Galina Putjata has been pursuing numerous projects to promote multilingualism and education for years and is committed to the social normalization of Jewish life and students with immigrant heritage, amongst others.
Mariana Shumliakivska was also born in Ukraine, in the city of Zhytomyr. The molecular medicine specialist began her academic career in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in biotechnology in Poland. After exchange programs in Munich and Cologne, Mariana Shumliakivska is currently doing her doctorate at Frankfurt University Hospital’s Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration. She is simultaneously studying human medicine at Goethe University. In addition to her scientific work, Shumliakivska is active in numerous projects for Ukraine.
“I have developed a deep understanding and respect for cultural diversity”
Khayal Gasimli, who was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, also came to Germany to study medicine. His extraordinary achievements soon attracted attention: In addition to having his doctoral thesis sponsored by the Berlin Cancer Society [Berliner Krebsgesellschaft], numerous publications of his also received awards. Khayal Gasimli began his clinical and academic career at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and moved via Marburg to Goethe University’s Women’s Clinic, where he has since completed his habilitation.
Puria Parvini, who currently works as Senior Physician at Carolinum Dental University Institute’s Polyclinic for Dental Surgery and Implantology, has several medical degrees. Born in Tehran, Iran, Puria Parvini came to Germany in 1986 at the age of twelve – and went on to independently finance his education, boarding school and studies. His social involvement dates back to his school days and he later received several awards for his commitment to teaching. Puria Parvini has been an adjunct professor (and M.Sc. M.Sc.) at Frankfurt University Hospital since 2023.
Prof. Dr. Rana Alsoufi, who grew up in her hometown Amman, Jordan, was also honored for her outstanding achievements. In addition to studying Islamic theology with a focus on Islamic law at a Jordanian University, thanks to a scholarship she is simultaneously continuing her studies in the UK, where she is completing her doctorate. Rana Alsoufi has been researching and teaching at Goethe University since 2018: initially as a junior professor of Islamic norms at the Institute for Islamic Cultural and Religious Studies, and, since 2024, as a full professor.
“Studying law has always been my dream – one I wanted to realize regardless of where I live,” says student Nikola Kowal, who came from Poland to Germany with her parents in 2016 at the age of twelve. To make her dream a reality, she invested a lot of time in learning German as quickly as possible and finishing school with good grades. In 2023, she graduated from high school as one of the top students in her year with top marks. She then began studying law at Goethe University and successfully applied for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.
What character traits turned out to be crucial to the award winners on their journey to Frankfurt? Many point to their individual resilience and discipline, their passion for their profession and an inspiring professional environment, to the ability to speak many languages and often also to family support. What unites the new arrivals beyond that is their shared sense of intercultural tolerance – “thanks to many long-standing friendships and acquaintances with people from different cultures,” says Khayal Gasimli, “I have developed a deep understanding and respect for cultural diversity.” Puria Parvini adds: “Sometimes it’s not the mind that guides us, but the heart that drives us forward with unstoppable force.”
The flyer “Herausragende Persönlichkeiten mit Migrationsgeschichte 2024“ [Outstanding personalities with immigrant heritage 2024] introduces the awardees and their biographies.
