Portrait of the month October 2025
In October, we are pleased to feature Dr. Amel Karboul—a remarkable individual who has made a lasting impact through her career and commitment.
“Which memories and experiences from your time as a DAAD scholarship holder in Germany stand out to you the most, and how do they continue to influence your professional career or personal perspective today?”
Looking back, my time as a DAAD scholarship holder in Germany was transformative. It gave me the foundation for the international perspective that has guided every stage of my career.
At the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, where I pursued my Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, I was immersed in a truly global environment. The diversity of perspectives from German and international classmates broadened my worldview and taught me that solutions to our shared challenges must be approached globally. This perspective deepened during my early professional years in Germany with Mercedes-Benz and DaimlerChrysler, where I learned how precision, innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement could drive global impact. Beyond technical knowledge, these years instilled in me a commitment to building bridges across cultures and systems, a skill I have relied on ever since.
When I returned to Tunisia much later, I brought with me not only the knowledge and skills I had acquired in Germany. Serving as Tunisia’s Minister of Tourism during a fragile democratic transition, I drew heavily on these lessons of leadership and collaboration to rebuild one of the country’s largest economic sectors.
The influence of that time is most visible in my current role as Co-Founder and CEO of the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF). The opportunities that my DAAD scholarship created (access to world-class education, global networks, and the confidence to pursue ambitious goals) are the same opportunities I now want to help create for millions of children. At EOF, we work to ensure that children in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond have access to the quality education that can change the trajectory of their lives. Just as my education in Germany laid the foundation for my career, I believe education is the foundation for opportunity everywhere.
What stands out most is not a single memory, but the arc of influence: from Germany to Tunisia, from government to global philanthropy, from my own journey to the lives of millions of children we now serve. The scholarship was not only a door into a global outlook; it was also a responsibility: to use the opportunities I received to build opportunities for others. That responsibility continues to guide me today.
