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

What we offer

• double M.Sc. degree from two partner universities
• living and learning in Germany and the MENA region
• courses on advanced renewable energy and energy efficiency concepts and technologies
• excursions to relevant institutions and companies
• training in intercultural competencies

Our program structure

• overall 24 months, 120 ECTS full-time program in English
• program start in March in Kassel (only in 2019 start in April in Kassel) or in September in Cairo OR Monastir
• one semester studies at Cairo University in Egypt AND/OR at the University of Monastir in Tunisia
• one semester studies at the University of Kassel in Germany
• possible exchange semester with the University of Sfax in Tunisia
• 6 months Master project with an institution or company in Germany, the MENA region, etc.

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

In the Middle East and North Africa, the so-called MENA region, depleting fossil fuels, increasing energy costs and the growing energy demand call for a substantial change in the energy policy of the corresponding countries. Renewable energies and energy efficiency are the basis for a sustainable energy policy and render possible new ways for implemeting the Energiewende in the framework of international cooperations in Europe and, in particular, in Germany. These cooperations are typically carried out by companies and institutions in projects between Arab and German partners. For the projects, experts are needed who have skills and knowledge in both technology and economy, but also in language, society and politics in both the Arab and German cultures.  Currently, the huge potential of projects cannot be realized in view of missing experts and graduates from corresponding Master programs.

The objective of the international Master of Science (M.Sc.) program REMENA is to educate German and international students in measures for a sustainable energy sector where the students are expected to have working experience in a corresponding area and hold a Bachelor degree. The latter can be obtained in different disciplines, e.g. law, economic, social, engineering or natural sciences. While the program contents focus on the cooperation between countries in the MENA region and Germany, applicants can be accepted for the REMENA program independently of their nationality.

The study of renewable energies and energy efficiency requires intensive studies of different theoretic and practical topics in technology, economy, law and intercultural affairs. The REMENA graduates will be experts in different disciplines for future projects in the energy sector with a special focus on the cooperation with countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The REMENA program will be conducted at different places. It comprises lectures, seminars, practical training and excursions during one semester (6 months) at the Cairo University in Egypt and/or the University of Monastir in Tunisia, one semester (6 months) at the University of Kassel in Germany and a possible exchange semester at the University of Sfax in Tunisia. The master thesis project (6 months) is to be done in Germany, the MENA region, etc. preferably in companies or institutions dealing, e.g., with wind parks and photovoltaics for power generation, with building insulation  or energy economics. The overall duration of the program is 24 months. The program can be started either in March (summer term) in Kassel or in September (winter term) in Cairo or Monastir. Upon successful graduation the student will be granted a Master of Science (M.Sc.) double degree from the University of Kassel and the Cairo University or the University of Monastir.

The REMENA master's program offers three main types of modules offered in different universities. The modules include:

• Basic (B) Modules
• Elective (E) Modules
• Thesis (T) Project Module (Master Thesis)

The basic modules being taken during the first two semesters of the study in the REMENA master’s program are Compulsory. Clearly, each student is free to select combinations from the elective modules complying with the examination rules and corresponding to the individual knowledge and interest in the different areas. Finally, the module Thesis Project, comprising 30 credit points (CP) according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is to be conducted in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region or in Germany during the fourth semester.

Basic modules Cairo

• Engineering Thermodynamics
• Heat Transfer
• Fluid Mechanics
• Material Science
• German and Arab Language Courses Cairo
• Presentation and Moderation Techniques

Basic Modules Monastir

• Thermodynamics Fundamentals
• Heat Transfer Fundamentals
• Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals
• German and Arab Language Courses
• English Presentation and Moderation Techniques

Basic Modules Kassel

• Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
• Control Systems
• Technical Mechanics
• Engineering Mathematics
• German-Arab Relations
• Intercultural Communication
• German and Arab Language Courses

Elective modules

• Bio Fuels
• Potentials of Bio Waste
• Project Planning and Tendering
• Project Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance
• Conversion Processes
• Fundamentals in Energy Efficiency
• Solar Thermal Heating
• Concentrated Solar Thermal Devices
• Photovoltaic Devices
• Environmental Issues and Managing the Effects (Global Climate Change)
• Macroeconomic Aspects of RE
• Engineering Economics and Feasibility Studies for REEE
• Potentials of RE in the MENA Region and Europe

The Master program "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region (REMENA)" is directed to young professionals with practical 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 culture and language. The participants should aspire to make a career in the international energy sector. 

Minimum requirements are:

• a bachelor degree in engineering, natural sciences, economics or social sciences
• practical experience (internships, vocational education, professional work, and others) preferably in the energy sector
• high motivation
• fluent in English.  

Graduation Requirements

Prospective applicants for the REMENA master program are required to

1. have successfully completed a bachelor's program or an equivalent degree in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences or engineering or to hold an equivalent degree with an average mark on an international scale, or
2. have successfully completed a bachelor's program or an equivalent degree in law, business sciences/economics or social sciences with an average mark on an international scale and has successfully passed modules in the field of mathematics, natural or engineering sciences.

Language Requirements

Evidence of very good knowledge of the English language to the level of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR must be presented. This evidence is granted for applicants, if English is the mothertongue, or previous studies were completely conducted in English.

Visa Requirements

If you are accepted for the program, you have to organize different visa for your stay abroad. All people need a visa for the countries which are not their home country. The visa must cover the entire duration of the academic year and is a pre-condition for enrolment. For more information look at "Visa".

Requirements for Enrollment in Cairo

Once admitted each student should submit the following documents:

• B.Sc certificate certified and notarized by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• birth certificate certified by the Egyptian embassy in the student home country or from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• six passport photos (size 4x6 cm2)
• medical report, indicating freedom from HIV infection
• approval of the student home country embassy in Egypt of the student’s enrollment in the program
• certified copy of student passport
• registration forms of the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, properly filled in
• declaration that the student will stay in Egypt during the course of studies according to the master program.

See the requirements also on the Cairo University website.

Financial Requirements

To enroll to the master program the student has to pay

• 10,000 Euro tuition fees and additional service fees at the universities each semester as follows:
• around 85€ in Cairo
• around 290€ in Kassel. This service fee must be paid for all semesters due to the fact that the students have to be permanently registered as students of the University of Kassel.