University of Kassel, Germany
Cairo University, Egypt
University of Monastir, Tunisia

MSc in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region (REMENA)

This master program provides young professionals with technical and managerial knowledge in the renewable energy and energy efficiency (REEE) sector and with intercultural competencies. Both aspects are equally important when taking up leadership positions in the renewable energy sector and to work effectively in the framework of international cooperation.

Countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region face a change in energy policy due to the depleting resources of fossil fuels, the rising prices, and growing demand. Sustainable energy supply will remain one of the most crucial challenges for the Arab region in the coming decades and also a main focus in developing cooperation. Experience shows that there is a lack of energy experts being familiar not only with technological aspects, but also with the culture, language and politics of Arab and Western European countries.

Three universities – the University of Kassel, Germany, Cairo University, Egypt, and the University of Monastir, Tunisia – in cooperation with institutions and companies in the renewable energy sector have combined their expertise to design an attractive master program to guarantee an excellent education for young experts to meet the challenges of sustainable energy supply and renewable energy and energy efficiency topics. The program is currently being extended further to diversify the study contents. An even broader range of topics is offered by REMENA University Network (RUN) partners for optional exchange semesters including the University of Sfax (US) and the German University in Cairo (GUC).

The program is directed to young professionals with work experience and a high motivation to contribute to introducing a sustainable energy supply and to the development in the Arab region in general, which includes a keen interest in the other culture and language. Students in this program study 24 months at different locations including at least 6 months in Kassel, Germany, and at least 6 months in either Cairo or Monastir. The course includes intensive German/Arabic language courses and modules in intercultural training.

English is the language of instruction. Upon successful completion of the course, a Master of Science degree is awarded according to
study mode 1: Double Degree from the University of Kassel and Cairo University
study mode 2: Double Degree from the University of Kassel and the University of Monastir.

The objective of the interdisciplinary and application-oriented master program is to train more and better qualified engineers and project managers to help implement standards in REEE in the energy sector.

We offer

• living and learning in the MENA region and Germany
• courses and technical field visits on the latest concepts and technologies of REEE
• getting first-hand advice from high level professionals and experts in the Arab and German energy sectors
• training in intercultural competencies
• courses in project management
• master thesis in institutions in the MENA region
• contacts to institutions and projects in German-Arab cooperation.

In order to participate, you should

• be highly motivated to learn and work in a bicultural environment
• be ready for an intensive full-time programme
• have a professional or academic background related to the energy sector
• be fluent in English (B2 level according to CEFR)
• be willing to take up leadership positions in the future in the energy sector.

Your prospects are

• excellent career opportunities in international cooperation and development assistance or research institutions in the field of REEE
• working for companies in the expanding energy business sector in Germany, the MENA region or other countries
• leadership positions in the public and private energy sector
• becoming part of a network between Germany and the MENA region in the field of REEE.

A Joint Program

Three universities – the University of Kassel (UKAS), Cairo University (CU) and the University of Monastir (UM) – in cooperation with institutions and companies in the renewable energy sector have combined their expertise to design an attractive master program to guarantee an excellent education for young experts to meet the challenges of a sustainable energy supply.

- - At UKAS, a wide range of experts contribute to the program. Located at the Dept. of Electrical Engineering/Computer Science (EECS), the research group for Efficient Energy Conversion with expertise in renewable energies, different labs with expertise in smart grids, the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE), the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) and lecturers from other universities and institutes contribute to the program. Alumni of the Dept. of EECS have founded the world’s leading manufacturer and market leader for solar inverters SMA located in Kassel.

- At CU, experienced faculty members from different engineering departments such as Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Aeronautical and Architectural Engineering contribute to teaching in the program. Specialized laboratory, computer centre and library facilities are available to students. The Faculty of Engineering with its rich history since 1816 has strong links to public and private sector industry, plays a major role in community service and research in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

- At UM, the Engineering School ENIM founded in 2004, with its tracks in electrical engineering, energy engineering (modelling and simulation), mechanical engineering and textile engineering, hosts the REMENA program. ENIM and the University of Monastir are members of the DESERTEC University Network DUN and the Mediterranean Network of Engineering Schools, and provide excellent teaching and research, as well as active student life, like the ENIM energy club.


The Universities

The University of Kassel, founded in 1971, is characterised by a multi-layered competence network, focused on nature, technology, art and society. The university with its 10 faculties and Academy of Arts has committed itself to international cooperation and interdisciplinary research. It hosts guests from over 100 countries among its 25,000 students. With about 300 professors, the university offers study programmes within the fields of engineering, natural sciences and mathematics as well as humanities, social sciences and arts. Internationally oriented study courses as well as English-taught programmes and classes make the university an attractive place to study and to do research.

The university offers three master programmes in renewable energies. Strategic partnerships at home and abroad strengthen its position in national and international competition. The university also provides a wide range of leisure-time activities such as sports facilities, international meetings and events. The town of Kassel has about 200,000 inhabitants is located in the heart of Germany on the Fulda River and offers a rich cultural and economic diversity.

Cairo University (CU) has 26 faculties and hosts over 200,000 students. The Faculty of Engineering (FECU) established in 1905 at its current location in Cairo University campus hosts 15,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. FECU has about 700 full time faculty members in 14 different Engineering Departments in the Giza and Sheikh Zayed Campuses. In addition to the numerous student laboratories, FECU has 8 service laboratories as well as 15 community service centres offering training, research and consultation to industry and service sectors.

FECU is located in Giza on the River Nile and offers many excursions to energy projects as well as recreational and cultural tours to historic sites such as the pyramids, citadel, museums, ancient sites in Upper Egypt, Red Sea/Mediterranean Sea resorts.

The University of Monastir (UM) was founded in 2004, and it currently comprises 16 establishments – 5 faculties and 9 institutes. It has almost 25,000 students. Being a multidisciplinary university, it offers a wide range of courses on postgraduate Master level including 10 Research Master’s degrees and 15 Professional Master’s degrees and has more than 30 international cooperation projects on university level.

ENIM, the Engineering School of UM, offers 4 national diplomas, 1 professional Master’s degree and 4 doctorates, and hosts an overall of 4,000 students in Engineering Sciences, and almost 3,000 in Informatics and Telecommunications. Well-equipped labs are available, and a number of RE sites are close to UM. ENIM is located in the city of Monastir, a town by the Mediterranean Sea with a rich historical past.

The University of Sfax (US) with its Engineering School ENIS is part of the REMENA university network offering modules in sustainable mobility applications as well as renewable, electric and hybrid automotive technologies. US is divided into 7 departments including Environmental Engineering.

The main goal of ENIS is to pursue excellence in technical science, as proven by the establishment of numerous research laboratories deeply involved in national and international research projects. Sfax is located by the Mediterranean Sea with a historical Medina (old city). Today it is home to a number of industries beside agricultural production of almonds and olives.

The German University in Cairo (GUC) is a German university in New Cairo City, Egypt with more than 10,000 students. It was founded in 2002 and offers about 70 Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programs.

The Faculty of Engineering and Material Science is involved in REMENA and offers different modules including master thesis projects. It is located in the Southeast of Cairo with various sports facilities, an industry park, a solar park as well as state-of-the-art laboratories for the integration of education, research and application