Interview with BTU Alumna Sherihan Radi (Promotion im Bereich Social and Behavioural Economic)

Sherihan Radi comes from Egypt and has gained many years of experience in project management in many internationally operating institutions, including the Goethe Institute in Cairo. She will soon be finishing her PhD at BTU in the field of Social and Behavioural Economics.

Hello Sherihan, how did you come to do your PhD at the BTU in Cottbus?
After completing my master's degree in business administration at the University of Toledo, Ohio in America, I decided to do my PhD at a university in Germany. Accordingly, I searched the Internet for a professor as a supervisor for my dissertation in my field in Germany. It was important to me that the university had a very good rating and reputation. The BTU in Cottbus particularly caught my eye because it is internationally recognized and serves a high number of international students who come from several different countries. With its modern and technically high-quality equipment as well as the best study conditions, the BTU places a high value on practical training for its students.

What did you write your PhD about and what was your experience like?
Talent management and its impact on organizational and employee performance using multinational companies in Egypt as an example. I wrote my thesis in English "The Impact of Talent Management on organizational and employees' performance: the Case of multinational Companies in Egypt" The thesis is published by a publisher in Germany. I decided to write it in English because it concerns my country, Egypt, and I hope that multinational companies as well as other types of companies in Egypt can benefit from it and take away or change something from my recommendations. It was five years of hard work, but it was worth it.

A doctorate not only provides professional training, but also promotes soft skills. What personal and work-related skills have you been able to improve in your experience?
In addition to expanding my scientific knowledge, the doctorate has strengthened my personality. My time management, research and communication skills have improved. At the same time my reliability and leadership qualities, personal responsibility and handling of new media.

You have a lot of experience in internationally operating institutions. What is important in your work there? How important are intercultural skills in particular, and do you have any tips on how to improve in this field?
Other countries have different working cultures. From my studies and working time, I have gained a lot of intercultural knowledge and experience, thanks to the many contacts I have made, and I have also deepened it, which has ultimately had an impact on the way I work. One can perfect foreign language skills, gain valuable intercultural skills as well as make important contacts. Intercultural competence is one of the most important soft skills that enables people from different cultures to communicate successfully. In order to develop or improve intercultural competence, you should first be open-minded, learn new things, and approach other cultures with an open mind and accept differences.

What did you like best about the BTU, Cottbus and the region?
The city of Cottbus has a central location and is situated between the cities of Berlin, Dresden and Leipzig, where there are international airports. Due to its good transport connections, these cities can also be reached from Cottbus in a short time. It is also an excellent base for a visit to Poland. Cottbus is also located on the edge of the Spreewald around the river Spree. In addition, there are many green spaces and parks. Cottbus offers blooming places in summer, such as the famous pyramid in Branitzer Park and Spreeauenpark. In the center of Cottbus is the very interesting Altmarkt with its numerous restaurants and cafes, where you can eat delicious food and sit comfortably. Cottbus offers state theaters, cinemas, various festivals and events, as well as a variety of sports, such as soccer or motor sports. In the relatively small campus of the BTU, you can reach everything quickly on foot such as the refectory or seminar rooms. There is also a family atmosphere between the professors, staff and students.