Advanced Information Technology for Energy

Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) established a satellite campus in El Gouna to act as an academic hub and research centre at the Red Sea in Egypt, the heart of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. The exceptional location of TU Berlin Campus El Gouna provides a state-of-the-art environment for studying and research, while serving as a bridge for scientific and intercultural exchange between Europe, the MENA region, and the other parts of the world.

All two-year study programmes comprise 120 credit points (ECTS) and are taught in English. Students graduate with a full Master's degree conferred by Technische Universität Berlin. In addition to their study time in El Gouna, they spend up to one year at TU Berlin's main campus in Berlin.

The Master's programme Information Technology for Energy (ITE) deals with the design, development, optimisation and realisation of renewable energy and fossil fuel-based energy-conversion plants with the support of information technologies. Meanwhile the ITE programme covers the application of information technologies developed in the energy domain. The main application areas are electricity generation, energy storage, and energy consumption management. Students will learn how to analyse, design, and implement information technologies catered to the needs of the energy sector. Increasing energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, and environmental effectiveness of energy conversion processes are the most significant and complex urgencies in the field of energy.

Information technologies and their implementation in the energy sector are a challenging topic that is gaining more and more attention, as it is urgently needed for implementation in the energy industry. The Information Technologies for Energy programme at TU Berlin Campus El Gouna is a newly introduced Master's programme, unique in its kind in the MENA region. Moreover the El Gouna campus enables an out-of-the-ordinary interdisciplinary and gives students opportunities for intercultural enrichment. While the ITE programme integrates the latest scientific developments and methods of faculty and researchers, it is also highly practical in nature.

Educational organisation

The Master's programme in Information Technology for Energy comprises a three-semester study period, in addition to a fourth semester in which students write their Master's thesis. The first and third semester take place in El Gouna, Egypt, while the second semester takes place in Berlin, Germany. The location of the fourth semester depends on the student's interests in the Master's thesis and can be chosen according to the respective subject and supervisor.

The Master's degree programme in Information Technology for Energy covers the following core study areas:
(I) Mandatory Engineering Modules
(II) Energy Engineering Electives
(III) IT, Law and Economics Electives
(IV) Interdisciplinary Studies
(V) Master's Thesis and Internship

Study abroad unit(s)

The first and third semesters will take place in El Gouna, Egypt, while the second semester will be in Berlin, Germany. The location of the fourth semester depends on the student's interests in the Master's thesis and can be chosen according to the respective subject.

Internships

An internship of approx. eight weeks is to be completed during the summer break between the second and third semester. Programme advisers will assist students in finding appropriate internships.

Forms of assessment

Pursuing a progressive approach to teaching, conventional methods such as lectures, seminars, and self-study are complemented by interdisciplinary courses, field trips, internships, integrated semester projects, and an industrial internship. At the end of each course, written and oral examinations, group presentations or reports are graded by the professors and lecturers.

Course objectives

The Master's degree programme Information Technology for Energy offers advanced education for students and young professionals with a prior Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualifications under the general principle of sustainable development, with special competences in the following areas:

• Comprehensive planning, design and operation of complex systems and appropriate technologies
• Perception and professional competence in the protection of resources
• Management skills, competence and capacity for teamwork in an interdisciplinary framework

The objective of the programme is to provide students with shared theoretical and practice-oriented knowledge in the field of energy engineering with respect to application of information technology. Taking into account students' varying levels of previous knowledge, the programme aims to teach students how to take a holistic, interdisciplinary approach in line with the principles of sustainability. Students in the programme should acquire the ability to design and structure ambitious projects and to realise these projects efficiently.

Language requirements

The language of instruction is English. Hence, a formal language test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent) is compulsory.
English native speakers are not required to supply a proof of English language ability. If English was the official language of instruction of your previous degree, a certificate from your university is sufficient.

Academic requirements

An academic background in the form of a relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent is an obligatory requirement for all Master's programmes at TU Berlin Campus El Gouna. As professional experience is considered to be a valuable asset for the course profile, practical work experience in a subject-related field is also mandatory. Additional qualifications, such as social commitment, publications, participation in extracurricular academic events, language abilities, and IT skills will also be taken into consideration.
Qualification in energy-related engineering is required: mechanical, electrical or chemical engineering (or equivalent).

Relevant Bachelor's programmes include:

• Automatic Control & Systems Engineering
• Mechatronics - Industrial Engineering
• Energy/Power Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Electrical/Electronics Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering or technically related

Costs of living

Approx. 500 EUR per month to cover personal expenses in Berlin, Germany and approx. 250 EUR per month to cover personal expenses in El Gouna, Egypt

Job opportunities

There are many possibilities to earn money during your studies. You can find job ads on the "Schwarzes Brett" (notice board) on campus or you take a job at a department, library or other facility at our university. Waiting tables in cafés and pubs is a typical student job. Other students accompany visitors to trade fairs, work as delivery drivers or cycle couriers, or take on odd jobs cleaning, babysitting, working in copy shops, etc.

Accommodation

Study period in El Gouna, Egypt:
Student halls of residence are provided to TU Berlin students by Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD) in immediate proximity to the campus. The apartments are rented to students at reasonable rates of approx. 150 EUR/month for shared rooms. An average apartment is approx. 20 square metres in size, including bathroom and kitchenette. A common room and laundry facilities are also available in the dormitories.

Study period in Berlin, Germany:
As Berlin is an internationally renowned and popular place to study, various types of accommodations are available. TU Berlin Campus El Gouna staff will be pleased to support students in finding a place to stay.