7 March 2024

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and Jimma University in Ethiopia explore potential for cooperation in the field of bioenergy.

Dr Pascal Leibbrandt introduces Prof. Venkata Ramayya Ancha, Dr Dejene Beyene Lemma, Dr Edo Jiru, Shewangizaw Demissie (all Jimma University) and Wiebke Wedekind (DBFZ) to the structure of the English-language Master's degree programme in Renewable Energy Systems. Photos: Jenny Ettrich, Rio Rathje

As part of the BMZ-funded ETH-Soil project of the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) in Leipzig, representatives from the Jimma Institute of Technology at Jimma University (Ethiopia) visited Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences on 23 February 2024.

The aim of the BMZ-funded ETH-Soil project is to help improve the soil and thus combat hunger in Ethiopia by utilising agricultural residues for energy and material purposes. The construction of a biogas plant with an attached laboratory is an important pillar of the project. This plant will be used to train specialists, supply the nearby canteen of the Jimma Institute of Technology with gas and provide fermentation residues for biofertiliser. Further information can be found here: www.dbfz.de/eth-soil.

The successful English-language Master's degree programme Renewable Energy Systems (RES) brought the subject representatives to the attention of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. Dr Pascal Leibbrandt presented its study structure and the preparatory structures of the BA programme in Renewable Energy Technology (RET).

Issues such as subject-specific admission, curriculum design, linking research and practical contacts, placing students with companies for the purpose of practice-oriented training, challenges in everyday student life and opportunities for future collaboration were discussed together: potential was identified particularly in the supervision of Master's and PhD students, but also in the start-up sector.

The next step is the preparation of a cooperation agreement, on the basis of which student and lecturer exchanges will be possible.