25 years, 400 graduates, 85 nations

The international Postgraduate Programme Renewable Energy (PPRE) was launched at the University of Oldenburg back in 1987 - one of the world's first Master's programmes for renewable energies. The special degree programme is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a large festive programme.

Ceremony at the Lower Saxony Representation in Berlin: Among the guests were 40 PPRE graduates from 20 countries, the Secretary General of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Dr. Dorothea Rüland, the State Secretary of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science Dr Josef Lange, ambassadors from Albania, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Rwanda as well as embassy representatives from Brazil, India, Kenya, Canada, Nepal, Romania and Sudan. They all came to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the degree programme. PPRE is dedicated to renewable energy supply and its sustainability in industrialised and developing countries. It trains subjects and managers from all over the world in the field of renewable energies. The target group are engineers and science graduates from developing and newly industrialising countries. Over the past 25 years, more than 400 PPRE students from 85 countries have graduated from the University of Oldenburg.

"'Open for new paths' - this motto of the University of Oldenburg also applies to the future-oriented Master's programme for renewable energies," explained University President Prof. Dr Babette Simon during the ceremony. "When research into renewable energies was still in its infancy and was ridiculed, the University of Oldenburg showed foresight with this degree programme". PRRE is an outstanding example of the University of Oldenburg's capacity for innovation - and of the fact that collaboration between scientists across national borders is a top priority at the University of Oldenburg.

Major anniversary conference

The highlight of the celebrations will be the two-day international anniversary conference "Renewable Energy 2030 - Experts' Visions" on 1 and 2 October in the University of Oldenburg's Auditorium Centre. Over 200 guests from Germany and abroad as well as co-operation partners from government, industry and universities are expected to discuss energy scenarios of the future. The keynote lecture on Monday, 1 October, in the Audimax (Haarentor campus, building A14), 10.45 a.m., will be given by photovoltaics pioneer Prof. Dr Joachim Luther. Luther taught physics at the University of Oldenburg from 1973 to 1993 and then moved to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems as director. He was instrumental in the founding of the degree programme. At 2.15 pm, Prof Dr Claudia Kemfert, former professor at the University of Oldenburg, will give the lecture "Economic Chances of a Smart Energy Transition". Kemfert is Head of the Energy, Transport and Environment Department at the German Institute for Economic Research and Professor of Energy Economics and Sustainability at the Hertie School of Governance (Berlin).

The two-day PPRE workshop "Regional Challenges and Possible Solutions for Future Energy Supply" will take place on 28 and 29 September at the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg (HWK) in Delmenhorst, one of 25 Institutes for Advanced Study worldwide. The workshop is being organised in close co-operation with the HWK's "Energy Research" department. Experts from Germany and abroad will discuss current developments in the fields of climate change, energy policy and economics as well as energy efficiency and standards in energy research.

"We are proud that so many top-class scientists and experts are taking part in our anniversary programme," says Michael Golba, Managing Director of the PPRE degree programme. Their interest shows the high esteem in which the programme has been held over the years.

Coveted study places

The PPRE Master's programme is located at the interface of transdisciplinary and international knowledge and skills transfer. It is aimed in particular at academics from developing and newly industrialising countries. Students from these countries should acquire the know-how and expertise to realise renewable energy systems or to advance energy structures currently under construction. PPRE teaches physical and economic principles as well as engineering applications in courses and research modules. The focus is on photovoltaics, wind energy, energy meteorology and storage technology - research topics that have a long tradition at the University of Oldenburg.

The study places are in high demand: more than 300 young scientists apply for the 25 study places each year. To enable students from Asia, especially Bangladesh, Nepal and India, as well as from Africa and Latin America, to participate, the University of Oldenburg works closely with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and offers an extensive scholarship system.
Over the last 25 years, a close-knit network has been established: contacts with international universities, companies, development cooperation organisations, the alumni network and a worldwide internships and job exchange make the degree programme a reservoir for internationally sought-after energy experts in the field of renewable energies.

"A look at our graduates illustrates the quality and success of our PPRE teaching: Over 90 per cent work in the field of renewable energies and are often in leading positions in research, administration, development cooperation, politics and industry," reports Golba. The scientists and lecturers of the PPRE degree programme will continue to do everything in their power to ensure that the programme remains a guarantee for future-oriented and internationally successful teaching.