What comes to mind when you think of a Master’s programme focused on green energy and hydrogen? Maths, physics, chemistry… the whole range of STEM subjects? Certainly, but for 59 young people from 15 West African countries, this Master’s programme was about much more than just hitting the books. Two former students share their experiences and reflections on their time during the course.
In autumn 2023, the first cohort of the International Master’s Programme in Energy and Green Hydrogen (IMP-EGH) celebrated their successful graduation. Two students from this pioneering programme, which began in autumn 2021, share personal statements on how the programme has profoundly influenced their academic and professional development.
Both students were offered PhD positions immediately after completing the Master’s programme and reflect on an inspiring journey of academic growth, intercultural exchange, and significant professional opportunities. Their stories illustrate how the in-depth exploration of renewable energy and green hydrogen has not only shaped their career paths but also contributed to their efforts towards a more sustainable future. In their testimonials, they explain how the Master’s programme helped them unlock the doors to a promising career in renewable energy.
My Journey after the Masters Programme – Georgette Celestine Udo
The WASCAL Scholarship organizers and sponsors have my sincere gratitude. The scholarship program has greatly impacted me in terms of networking, academic exposure, and job opportunities.
The WASCAL Scholarship organizers and sponsors have my sincere gratitude. The scholarship program has greatly impacted me in terms of networking, academic exposure, and job opportunities.
Finding out more about the consequences of climate change and the necessity of an energy transition I observed that a lack of knowledge is the main cause of people’s continued resistance to change, particularly in Africa. An NGO named MAGGREEN was created by me and two other program partners, Mary Dora Kamara and Aisha Suleiman Abba, to address this knowledge gap by raising awareness and providing education on energy transition and climate change. We are effectively creating a network of young people throughout Africa who share our values.
After learning about the gender gap in the renewable energy industry during my master’s program, I felt compelled to take action. So, while on vacation in Nigeria, I launched Renewable Energy for the African Girls Initiative (REFAGI), an initiative that introduces and trains teenage girls and offers them opportunities to pursue careers in the field.
In the third semester of the Green hydrogen for photovoltaics arm, we had the chance to install an 11kWp solar on-grid system in Niger. This was my first installation of solar power, and it opened my eyes and improved my knowledge of solar power systems. This was incredibly useful in getting me an internship as a Green Energy Support Engineer with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Copenhagen, Denmark. I participated on solar, energy efficiency, and e-mobility projects for UNDP offices all around the world.
Additionally, being a fellow of the Atlantic Council Women Leader in Energy and Climate fellowship gave me additional exposure. I was able to visit Washington, DC, and hear from professionals in the finance, government, and private sectors about the state of the industry and the initiatives being implemented to combat climate change and energy transition. Recently, after my internship I just got engaged by Forschungszentrum Jülich as a Research Engineer to be a part of a Mobile laboratory project that is going to be extremely useful in training and educating people on Photovoltaic systems and how hydrogen can be produced from Photovoltaics. I am happy with what I have accomplished so far and am looking forward to what the future as a professional in renewable energy holds.
IMP-EGH Graduate School Impact on my journey – Kouroumlakiwé Yoma
Upon completion of my bachelor’s degree in physics at the University of Lomé in 2021, I was awarded a fully-funded scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Energy and Green Hydrogen Technologies through the H2 Atlas Africa project. The master’s program brought together students from all West African countries, facilitating cross-cultural learning and exposure to diverse perspectives. It also provided a valuable opportunity to expand one’s professional network across West Africa and beyond.
The first year of the master’s program encompassed a comprehensive range of topics related to energy and green hydrogen technologies, including renewables, semiconductors physics, electrochemistry, thermodynamics and fluids dynamics. This provided me with a profound understanding of energy systems, equipping me with the essential knowledge to successfully pursue the program. The program also benefited from the input of lecturers from across Africa and Germany, who employed a variety of teaching approaches to enhance the learning experience. Furthermore, during the second year of the program, I was given the opportunity to conduct my master’s research project at the renowned research center Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany.
My stay in Germany allowed me to work in cutting-edge laboratories and gain experience with advanced solar cell technologies. Moreover, it was an invaluable opportunity to work in a conducive research environment with my research advisors, who provided guidance and support whenever I encountered challenges. Last but not the least, I was given the chance to network and connect with individuals engaged in my research group and other research centers and companies operating within the energy sector. This proved invaluable in facilitating the acquisition of various opportunities after the program’s conclusion.
Following graduation, I was selected by the Student Energy organization to attend the Student Energy Summit 2023 in Abu Dhabi and COP2023 in Dubai, as well as the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum in Cabo Verde, thanks to the network and connections built during my master’s program. At the conferences, I shared my knowledge and experience of the energy sector and emphasized how young people could address climate change in their communities by initiating small-scale clean energy projects. A few months later, I was offered a Ph.D. position at Forschungszentrum Jülich, where I am currently working. The IMP-EGH Graduate School has been crucial in my journey from undergraduate to graduate and has laid the foundations for my professional career.
Further information about the International Master’s Programme in Energy and Green Hydrogen can be found here on the blog:
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