A new interview series is now online. Scholarship holders report on their experiences
The "International Master's Program in Energy and Green Hydrogen" (IMP-EGH) has been a success, with around 130 students from 15 West African countries participating thus far. Additionally, around 150 scholarships have been awarded to master's students and trainees in the field of green hydrogen in Namibia. In "Five Questions to" in-terviews, the young people share their experiences and discuss the role of green hydrogen.
Through the IMP-EGH, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) and the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) have prepared students for the future topic of "green hydrogen." The program provides essential training for a new generation of specialists and managers in science, business, and administration, preparing the energy sector in West Africa for green hydrogen. The program focuses on the green hydrogen value chain — from production to storage, transportation, and use. The BMFTR is funding the two-year program.
They receive support from German partner universities and research centers that develop curricula, organize courses, and supervise students. These include Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen University, and the University of Rostock. Currently, around 70 students are completing their fourth and final semester in Germany and will receive their mas-ter's degree at the end of 2025.
Lots of sun and space: Namibia has ideal conditions for producing and exporting green hy-drogen using renewable energy sources. However, local expertise and skilled personnel are urgently needed for this endeavor, so the BMFTR and the Namibian government launched the Y4H2 scholarship program as part of the Joint Communiqué of Intent (JCoI).
The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Manage-ment (SASSCAL) coordinates the scholarship awards. Since then, namibian youth between the ages of 18 and 35 have received scholarships for master's degrees or technical vocational training. The programs cover topics such as renewable energies, sustainable energy systems, and supply chain management. Training scholarships relate to the green hydrogen value chain and include the construction and maintenance of solar and wind energy systems, for example.
