The wind energy technology and management further education programme is a winner in the "Selected Landmark 2010" competition. Since 2006, the "Germany - Land of Ideas" initiative of the Federal Government and German industry has been honouring the future viability and innovative strength of Germany as a business location. The patron of Germany's largest series of events will once again be Federal President Horst Köhler next year. Over 2,200 research institutes and companies, cultural institutions and social initiatives applied nationwide. The award emphasises the strengths of Germany as a business location and its characteristics: ingenuity, creative passion and visionary thinking.

"The award recognises the successful wind energy technology and management further education programme as an innovative programme that sets standards for a contemporary further education concept. This encourages us, as envisaged in the germanwind cluster, to continue developing the programme for the offshore sector internationally," said Dr Stephan Barth, Managing Director of ForWind. ForWind, the centre for wind energy research at the universities of Oldenburg, Hanover and Bremen, is the provider of this qualification programme together with the Bremerhaven/Bremen Wind Energy Agency.

The further education programme in wind energy technology and management is a unique qualification programme in Germany that supports personal career steps and entry into the wind energy industry. The programme is aimed at anyone interested in laying a solid foundation for their future in wind energy. In eleven months, the part-time programme teaches specialist knowledge from the fields of science, technology, Business Administration and law as well as key qualifications for academic appointments. Based on a case study, the participants realise, evaluate and manage a wind energy project in interdisciplinary teams over the entire period. There is a maximum of 24 students per year. Excursions during the attendance phases emphasise the practical relevance of the study concept. A graded certificate from the University of Oldenburg certifies successful completion of the programme.

The development of the degree programme was supported by the Metropolregion Bremen-Oldenburg im Nordwesten e.V. and the City of Oldenburg. EWE AG, GE Wind Energy GmbH, Bremer Landesbank and wpd think energy GmbH & Co KG are involved as sponsors.